Why is my skin tags increasing?
Increasing skin tags often signal metabolic changes like insulin resistance, hormonal imbalances, or weight gain. While benign, they can indicate underlying health issues that benefit from medical evaluation and lifestyle modifications.
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What Are Skin Tags and Why Do They Matter?
Skin tags, medically known as acrochordons, are small, soft, benign growths that hang from the skin by a thin stalk. While these flesh-colored or slightly darker protrusions are harmless, their sudden increase can signal important changes in your body's metabolic and hormonal balance. Understanding why you're developing more skin tags can provide valuable insights into your overall health status.
These common skin growths affect approximately 46% of the general population, with prevalence increasing with age. They typically appear in areas where skin rubs against skin or clothing, such as the neck, armpits, groin, eyelids, and under the breasts. While a few skin tags are normal, a sudden increase or the development of multiple tags warrants attention, as it may indicate underlying metabolic or hormonal changes that could benefit from medical evaluation.
The Insulin Resistance Connection
One of the most significant associations with increasing skin tags is insulin resistance, a condition where your cells don't respond properly to insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. Research shows that people with multiple skin tags are more likely to have insulin resistance, prediabetes, or type 2 diabetes. The connection is so strong that some dermatologists consider skin tags a cutaneous marker for metabolic syndrome.
Metabolic Markers Associated with Skin Tags
| Biomarker | Normal Range | Concerning Level | Association with Skin Tags | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fasting Glucose | Fasting Glucose | 70-99 mg/dL | >100 mg/dL | Higher levels correlate with increased skin tags |
| HbA1c | HbA1c | <5.7% | >5.7% | Elevated A1c associated with multiple skin tags |
| Fasting Insulin | Fasting Insulin | 2-20 μIU/mL | >20 μIU/mL | Strong correlation with skin tag number |
| Triglycerides | Triglycerides | <150 mg/dL | >150 mg/dL | Often elevated in people with multiple tags |
| HDL Cholesterol | HDL Cholesterol | >40 mg/dL (men), >50 mg/dL (women) | Below normal | Lower HDL linked to skin tag presence |
Multiple abnormal metabolic markers increase the likelihood of developing skin tags.
Insulin resistance triggers increased production of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which stimulates the growth of skin cells and fibroblasts, leading to skin tag formation. Studies have found that individuals with more than 30 skin tags have significantly higher fasting insulin levels compared to those without skin tags. If you're noticing an increase in skin tags, getting your metabolic health assessed through comprehensive biomarker testing can help identify insulin resistance early, when lifestyle interventions are most effective.
The relationship between skin tags and metabolic health extends beyond just insulin levels. People with multiple skin tags often have abnormal lipid profiles, including elevated triglycerides and reduced HDL cholesterol, further supporting the connection to metabolic syndrome.
Identifying Insulin Resistance Through Testing
Key biomarkers for assessing insulin resistance include fasting glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting insulin, and C-peptide. The HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance) calculation, which uses fasting glucose and insulin levels, provides a reliable measure of insulin sensitivity. Additionally, monitoring your lipid panel, including triglycerides and HDL cholesterol ratio, can offer insights into your metabolic health status.
Hormonal Imbalances and Skin Tag Formation
Hormonal fluctuations play a crucial role in skin tag development, which explains why many people notice an increase during pregnancy, menopause, or andropause. During pregnancy, elevated levels of estrogen and progesterone, combined with increased growth factors, create an environment conducive to skin tag formation. Studies show that up to 12.5% of pregnant women develop new skin tags, particularly in the second and third trimesters.
For women experiencing menopause, declining estrogen levels coupled with relative androgen excess can trigger skin tag growth. Similarly, conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), characterized by hormonal imbalances including elevated androgens and insulin resistance, frequently present with multiple skin tags. Men with low testosterone levels or those undergoing andropause may also experience increased skin tag formation.
Thyroid Dysfunction and Skin Changes
Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism and cellular growth throughout the body, including the skin. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can contribute to skin tag development. Hypothyroidism, in particular, is associated with insulin resistance and weight gain, both risk factors for skin tags. Regular monitoring of thyroid function through TSH, Free T3, and Free T4 testing can help identify thyroid-related contributions to skin tag formation.
Weight Gain and Mechanical Factors
Weight gain significantly increases the likelihood of developing skin tags through multiple mechanisms. Excess weight creates more skin folds and areas of friction, providing ideal conditions for skin tag formation. Additionally, adipose tissue is metabolically active, producing hormones and inflammatory mediators that can influence skin cell growth. The mechanical irritation from skin-on-skin contact in areas like the neck, armpits, and groin stimulates localized inflammation and cellular proliferation.
Obesity is also strongly associated with insulin resistance and chronic low-grade inflammation, both of which contribute to skin tag development. Studies show that individuals with a BMI over 30 have a significantly higher prevalence of skin tags compared to those with normal weight. The distribution of fat also matters, with central obesity (excess abdominal fat) showing a stronger correlation with skin tag formation than peripheral fat distribution.
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Genetic Predisposition and Family History
Genetics play a substantial role in determining your susceptibility to skin tags. If your parents or siblings have multiple skin tags, you're more likely to develop them as well. This familial clustering suggests a hereditary component, though the specific genes involved haven't been fully identified. Some genetic syndromes, such as Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome and nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome, include multiple skin tags as a feature.
The genetic predisposition to skin tags may be linked to inherited tendencies toward insulin resistance, obesity, or specific growth factor sensitivities. Understanding your family history can help you anticipate and monitor for skin tag development, especially when combined with other risk factors.
Age-Related Changes and Skin Tag Development
Skin tags become increasingly common with age, with prevalence rising from about 20% in younger adults to over 50% in people over 60. This age-related increase is attributed to several factors, including cumulative sun damage, decreased skin elasticity, hormonal changes, and the higher likelihood of metabolic dysfunction with aging. The skin's structure changes over time, with decreased collagen production and altered cellular turnover rates creating conditions favorable for skin tag formation.
Age-related metabolic changes, including decreased insulin sensitivity and altered hormone levels, further contribute to skin tag development in older adults. Regular health monitoring becomes increasingly important with age to identify and address metabolic changes that may manifest as increased skin tag formation.
When to Seek Medical Evaluation
While skin tags are benign, certain situations warrant medical evaluation. Seek professional assessment if you notice a sudden increase in skin tags, especially if accompanied by other symptoms like unexplained weight changes, excessive thirst, frequent urination, or fatigue. These could indicate underlying metabolic or hormonal conditions requiring treatment. Additionally, any skin growth that changes color, bleeds, becomes painful, or grows rapidly should be evaluated to rule out other skin conditions.
A comprehensive metabolic panel, including glucose, insulin, lipid profile, and hormone levels, can help identify underlying causes of increasing skin tags. For those interested in understanding their metabolic and hormonal health comprehensively, regular biomarker testing provides valuable insights for early intervention and prevention.
Diagnostic Tests and Biomarkers
Key diagnostic tests for evaluating the underlying causes of skin tags include fasting glucose and insulin for insulin resistance assessment, HbA1c for long-term glucose control, comprehensive lipid panel for cardiovascular risk, thyroid function tests (TSH, Free T3, Free T4), and hormone panels including testosterone, estrogen, and DHEA-S. These tests can reveal metabolic and hormonal imbalances that contribute to skin tag formation.
Prevention Strategies and Lifestyle Modifications
Preventing new skin tags and slowing their progression involves addressing underlying metabolic and lifestyle factors. Maintaining a healthy weight through balanced nutrition and regular exercise reduces both mechanical friction and metabolic risk factors. Focus on a diet rich in whole foods, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats while limiting refined carbohydrates and added sugars to improve insulin sensitivity.
Regular physical activity, including both aerobic exercise and resistance training, improves insulin sensitivity and helps maintain hormonal balance. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise weekly. Stress management through techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing can help regulate cortisol levels, which influence both metabolism and skin health.
Proper skin care in friction-prone areas can minimize irritation that triggers skin tag formation. Keep skin folds clean and dry, use powder or barrier creams to reduce friction, and wear properly fitting clothing that doesn't create excessive rubbing. While these measures won't eliminate genetic predisposition, they can significantly reduce environmental triggers.
For a personalized analysis of your existing blood test results and insights into metabolic factors that may be contributing to skin tag formation, consider using SiPhox Health's free upload service. This service provides AI-driven insights and actionable recommendations tailored to your unique health profile, helping you understand and address the root causes of skin changes.
Taking Control of Your Skin and Metabolic Health
While skin tags themselves are harmless, their increase can serve as an early warning sign of metabolic or hormonal changes that deserve attention. By understanding the connection between skin tags and overall health, you can take proactive steps to address underlying issues before they progress to more serious conditions. Regular monitoring of key biomarkers, combined with appropriate lifestyle modifications, can help manage both skin tag formation and the metabolic factors driving them.
Remember that skin tags are extremely common and having them doesn't necessarily indicate a serious health problem. However, staying informed about your metabolic and hormonal health through regular testing and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits provides the best foundation for overall wellness and can help minimize factors that contribute to skin tag formation.
References
- Rasi A, Soltani-Arabshahi R, Shahbazi N. Skin tag as a cutaneous marker for impaired carbohydrate metabolism: a case-control study. Int J Dermatol. 2007;46(11):1155-1159.[PubMed][DOI]
- Tamega AA, Aranha AM, Guiotoku MM, Miot LD, Miot HA. Association between skin tags and insulin resistance. An Bras Dermatol. 2010;85(1):25-31.[PubMed][DOI]
- Shaheen MA, Abdel Fattah NS, Sayed YA, Saad AA. Assessment of serum leptin, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in patients with skin tags. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2012;26(12):1552-1557.[PubMed][DOI]
- Jowkar F, Fallahi A, Namazi MR. Is there any relation between serum insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I in non-diabetic patients with skin tag? J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2010;24(1):73-74.[PubMed][DOI]
- Akpinar F, Dervis E. Association between acrochordons and the components of metabolic syndrome. Eur J Dermatol. 2012;22(1):106-110.[PubMed][DOI]
- El Safoury OS, Ibrahim M. A clinical evaluation of skin tags in relation to obesity, type 2 diabetis mellitus, age, and sex. Indian J Dermatol. 2011;56(4):393-397.[PubMed][DOI]
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