Why Am I Getting Skin Tags All Of A Sudden? 

Wondering why you are suddenly getting skin tags on your neck or under your breasts. The sudden increase or development of these harmless skin growths raises questions and concerns that can disturb you. 

If you are facing these concerns, let’s clear the fog. This blog contains the reasons for skin tags and prevention tips. Let’s get started.

Reasons for the Sudden Appearance of Skin Tags

We know, skin tags are non-cancerous growths, but understanding their causes can help you manage and prevent them while keeping your skin clear.

The reasons for skin tag formation include:

1. Friction or Skin Rub

These are most common in areas where your skin is prone to rubbing or friction against skin, jewellery, or clothing. Persistent friction causes your skin to stretch and create growth. This is why they are more prevalent in obese people, as they have more skin folds.

2. Genetic Makeup

Skin tags can run in families, indicating a genetic component. Your DNA decides whether you will develop them or not. You might be more likely to develop skin tags if your parents or siblings have skin tags. In some cases, having certain medical conditions may also predispose an individual to develop skin tags. 

3. Advancing Age

Skin tags are more common as people age. As we age, our skin loses its firmness and elasticity, making it more prone to rub and develop skin tags.

4. Hormonal Ups & Downs

Hormonal fluctuations, such as those during pregnancy, PCOS may also cause them as females tend to gain weight, which leads to skin friction. Other hormonal conditions like acromegaly and diabetes may also put a person at risk for it.

5. Obesity

Individuals who are obese have more and deeper skin folds, leading to increased skin friction. Moreover, obesity is associated with metabolic issues like insulin resistance, which contribute to their formation.

6. Insulin Resistance or Diabetes

During type 2 diabetes, an individual’s body produces more insulin-like growth factors, which alter the growth of skin cells and cause skin tags. If you have skin tags, consult your doctor to rule out diabetes or insulin resistance.

7. Long-term Steroid Use

Prolonged topical steroids can thin the skin and contribute to developing skin tags. Long-term systemic steroid use can also cause them.

8. Underlying Health Conditions

Health conditions like acromegaly (caused by excessive production of growth hormone) and Birt-Hogg-Dubé Syndrome (a rare genetic condition) cause many systemic issues while leading to skin tags.

9. Human Papillomavirus

Some studies suggest a link between HPV and skin tags. The virus may alter the growth of skin cells, leading to the formation of tags. Specific strains of HPV might be more commonly associated with skin tags, though more research is needed in this area.

If you are experiencing skin tag formations and are worried about it, it’s better to consult with your doctor to confirm they are harmless and you do not have any underlying health condition. 

Why Am I Getting Skin Tags All of a Sudden?

You may be getting skin tags suddenly because of:

• The jewellery you wear is rubbing your skin and irritating it. 
• Your clothing stuff is causing friction against your skin.
• Weight gain.
• Changes in your metabolism may cause you to be insulin resistant now. 
• Hormonal fluctuations because of pregnancy.
• Advancing age.

Suppose these tags are forming suddenly or increasing excessively, talk to your doctor right away for prompt management. 

How To Prevent Sudden Skin Tags Formation?

Preventing the formation of skin tags can save you from general discomfort and the need for removal procedures. 

Here are some effective strategies that may help you prevent them:

• Maintain a healthy weight to avoid obesity and skin folding.
• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting, and breathable clothes to minimise skin friction in areas of the kile neck, armpits, and groin.
• If you have skin folds, consider applying powders or anti-chafing creams to reduce friction.
• Take care of your skin hygiene by washing and drying it to avoid the build-up of sweat and oil.
• Take extra care of your skin if you are pregnant or have hormonal conditions like PCOS.
• Avoid prolonged use of steroids.
• Perform regular self-examinations of your skin to identify new growths or alterations in previous ones. 
• Talk to your doctor immediately if you notice an increase in the number of skin tags or any changes in the shape and size of previous tags. 

If you are prone to skin tags or have underlying health conditions that increase your risk, these strategies can help manage and minimise their occurrence.

Final Thoughts

The primary reason for skin tags is when your skin gets rubbed with skin or any outside stuff, like jewellery or clothing. However, weight gain, changes in metabolism, insulin resistance, or hormonal fluctuations such as those during pregnancy may also cause them. 

Understanding the causes and taking preventive measures like maintaining a healthy weight, wearing loose clothing, and keeping your skin clean and dry can reduce the likelihood of developing skin tags. If you are bothered by their presence, consulting for a skin tag or mole removal in Leeds may help. Skin tags are usually harmless, but if they appear excessively, consult your doctor for prompt management.

FAQs

1. What causes skin tags on the neck?

Jewellery, clothing, obesity, pregnancy, and other hormonal imbalances can cause skin tags on the neck. 

2. Why do I have skin tags on my neck all of a sudden? 

Skin tags on your neck can appear suddenly due to friction from jewellery or clothing, weight gain, hormonal changes, or metabolic issues like insulin resistance. These factors can cause the skin to rub against itself, leading to the formation of skin tags. 

3. Are skin tags a symptom of anything?

No, generally, skin tags are not a symptom of anything. But, they may be linked with hormonal conditions like PCOS, pregnancy and insulin resistance. 

4. What removes skin tags instantly?

The doctor can instantly remove your skin tag by snipping it off with a surgical scalpel or freezing it with liquid nitrogen.