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Cutaneous skin tags - Symptom

Alternative Names

Skin tags; Acrochordons; Fibroepithelial polyps

Symptoms:

The only symptom is a growth on the skin. The growth (tag) is usually small, although some may be up to a half-inch long.

Other characteristics include:

  • Located on the neck, armpits, trunk, body folds, or other areas
  • May have a narrow stalk
  • Usually skin-colored, occasionally darker

Signs and tests:

Diagnosis is based primarily on the appearance of the skin growth. Occasionally, a biopsy may be needed to diagnose an unusual-looking skin tag.

  • Reviewed last on: 12/11/2009
  • Michael Lehrer, MD, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network; Linda Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Benign skin tumors. In: Habif TP, ed. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:chap 20.

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