Acrochordons or skin tags are soft and small skin bumps often seen on skin folds such as armpits, groin, buttocks, or eyelids (1). Self-treatment for skin tags on children is not recommended due to the risk of skin infections. Skin tags are harmless, painless, non-cancerous (benign growths), but some children may not be comfortable with them. Usually, these tiny lesions can be from 1mm to 2mm in size. If there is an esthetic concern or any discomfort, you may go to a dermatologist to seek help for skin tag removal. Read on to know the causes and treatment options for skin tags on children.
Causes Of Skin Tags In Children
Skin tags are a collection of blood vessels and collagen fibers surrounded by skin layer (thin epidermis). The causes of skin tags are not entirely known, but the following conditions and situations seem to increase their occurrence.
Chafing and friction in the skin folds: Some parts of the body with skin folds, like neck, groin, eyelids, and armpits, are susceptible to skin tags (2).
Genetic disorders: Although rare, conditions such as tuberous sclerosis and Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome increase the possibility of skin tags (2).
Obesity: Obese or overweight children could be at a higher risk because of friction of the skin.
Chronic problems: Health issues, such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, seem to increase the risk of developing skin tags (3).
HPV infection: Contracting the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection may increase the possibility of developing skin tags (4).
Defects in body functions: Sometimes, skin tags may be related to defects in body functions, such as impaired lipid metabolism and abnormalities in liver enzyme (5).
Children who have diabetes.
The risk factors of skin tags may not always be apparent. It is good for parents to know how to spot a skin tag in kids.
Symptoms Of Skin Tags In Children
Skin tags are neither harmful nor painful by themselves. Any pain in a skin tag is often due to friction or when the skin tag twists, causing a blood vessel to clot. You can usually identify skin tags by their skin-colored or pinkish bump-like appearance. The other signs and symptoms are (6).
In children, tags commonly appear on the face, stomach, chest, groin, arms, and legs.
The skin tag could be a bump or have a long stalk to hang from the skin.
Some tags could be darker than the surrounding skin and appear as tiny dark bumps.
Skin tags often appear in clusters. If you spot a tag, look for the skin around it for more of them.
How Are Skin Tags Diagnosed?
There are no significant tests required to diagnose skin tags in children. A physical examination is usually enough for a doctor to diagnose skin tags. They may check the size and location of the tag to determine its cause. If the doctor suspects the bump to be some other skin condition, then a biopsy may be performed. Biopsy for skin tags is seldom needed.
Treatments To Remove Skin Tags In Children
Based on the skin tag’s size or form, child’s age, and health condition, the doctor may suggest any of the following treatment options. Most skin tags are painless and harmless, but children may not be comfortable with it. It may prompt many parents to explore ways to remove skin tags at home.
Are There Home Remedies To Remove Skin Tags In Children?
People apply salicylic acid, apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, or garlic to the tags every day until the tag falls off, but there is no scientific backup to prove it. Trying to remove skin tags at home with nail clippers or other tools, or pastes and lotions may result in infection, scarring, or bleeding. If your child wants the skin tags to be removed, you may consult the doctor to know about the treatment options.
Is It Possible To Prevent The Spread Of Skin Tags?
It is not possible to prevent skin tags. It is not contagious. However, children can be taught measures to avoid the factors that increase the risk of developing skin tags.
Dress the child in clothes that minimize the friction between skin folds.
Maintain good hygiene to avoid HPV. Washing hands and not sharing towels is also essential. There are vaccines available for a few types of HPV. Speak to a doctor about immunizing your child and other family members if there is a high risk of contracting the infection.
Proper management of congenital conditions may help in reducing the risk of skin tags.
References:
- Andréia de Almeida Tamega et al.; (2010); Association between skin tags and insulin resistance.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20464083/ 15. Amarendra Pandey and Sidharth Sonthalia; (2022); Skin Tags. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547724/
