Acrochordon

This article's factual accuracy is disputed. Please see the relevant discussion on the talk page. (June 2009)

Acrochordon
Classification and external resources
Skin tag on adult woman's upper cheek
ICD-10	L91.8 (congenital Q82.8)
ICD-9	216
OMIM	109400
DiseasesDB	33273
MedlinePlus	000848

An acrochordon (plural acrochorda, and also known as a cutaneous skin tag, skin tag, fibroepithelial polyp^[1], cutaneous papilloma, fibroma molluscum, fibroma pendulum, papilloma colli, , or soft fibroma^{[2]:993[3][dubious – discuss]}) is a small benign tumor that forms primarily in areas where the skin forms creases, such as the neck, armpit, and groin. They may also occur on the face, usually on the eyelids. Acrochorda are harmless and typically painless, and do not grow or change over time.^[1] Though tags up to a half-inch long have been seen^[1], they are typically the size of a grain of rice. The surface of an acrochordon may be smooth or irregular in appearance and is often raised from the surface of the skin on a fleshy stalk called a peduncle. Microscopically, an acrochordon consists of a fibro-vascular core, sometimes also with fat cells, covered by an unremarkable epidermis. However, tags may become irritated by shaving, clothing or jewelry. Very large skin tags may burst under pressure.^{[citation needed]}

It is believed that skin tags occur due to skin rubbing up against skin, since they are so often found in skin creases and folds.^[1] They are more common in people who are overweight, have diabetes^[1] and in pregnant women^[4]. Acrochorda have been reported to have an incidence of 46% in the general population.^[5] A causal genetic component is thought to exist.^{[citation needed]} Rarely, they can be associated with the Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome and polycystic ovary syndrome.^{[citation needed]}

Treatment

Because tags are benign, treatment is unnecessary unless the tags become frequently irritated or present a cosmetic concern. If removal is desired or warranted, a dermatologist or similarly trained professional may use cauterization, cryosurgery, surgical ligation or excision to remove the acrochorda.^[1] Since removal of skin tags may be considered cosmetic surgery, the procedure may not be covered by medical insurance or health maintenance organizations.^{[citation needed]}

There is now an over-the-counter solution which causes skin tag removal. This method freezes the skin tag which results in the skin tag "falling off" in approximately 7-10 days, which is similar to over-the-counter wart removal.

References

This article includes a list of references or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it has insufficient inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations where appropriate. (June 2009)