Skin tag (syn. achrochordon; fibroepithelial polyp)

Latest update 16/06/09

Definition

• A very common benign lesion composed of loose fibrous tissue and occurring mainly on the neck and major flexures as a small soft pedunculated lesion

Key diagnostic features

• Distribution – sides of the neck, axillae and groins. If extensive they can affect the face and trunk  
• Appearance
  • Often multiple with an average size of 2mm in diameter, but can be solitary and much larger
  • Colour – often skin coloured but can be hyperpigmented
  • Pedunculated and may have a long stalk
  • Palpation – soft and inelastic
• On the neck they are frequently associated with small seborrhoeic keratoses
• The diagnosis is usually straightforward, however the differential diagnosis for a larger lesion can include a pedunculated melanocytic naevus and a pedunculated neurofibroma

Treatment 

• Treatment by way of snip excision, cautery or cryotherapy is usually effective

	Figure 1 – Skin tag close to eye
	Figure 2 – Multiple skin tags in the axilla
	Figure 3 – Solitary skin tag
	Figure 4 – Larger skin tags are often reported histologically as fibroepithelial polyps
	Figure 5 – Histology revealed a fibroepithelial poylp