Pregnancy impacts just about every aspect of your life. According to Dr. Sawaya of U.S. Dermatology Partners in Scottsdale, AZ, “From sleep and diet to mood, pregnancy really takes a toll. It’s no surprise that our skin also undergoes changes during pregnancy. Skin tags are extremely common for expecting mothers. The good news – skin tags are benign, which means they aren’t harmful. The bad news – that doesn’t mean they aren’t irritating.” In this blog, talks through the basics of skin tags during pregnancy, including the cause and treatment options.
Understanding Skin Tags During Pregnancy
Skin tags are growths that form from excess, protruding skin. These growths develop due to hyperactive growth of skin cells in the outer layers. They can be the same color as your natural skin tone, or they may be slightly lighter or darker. The skin growths often look like they are hanging from a thinner piece of skin called a stalk. They are soft and should move back and forth easily. Most skin tags are less than 5 millimeters in diameter. While they can develop on any part of the body, they are most likely to appear in skin creases or folds, especially in warm or moist areas, including the neck, armpits, bends of the knees, inner thighs, beneath the breasts, or in the genital region.
Skin tags are benign, which means they aren’t cancerous, and they’re typically not related to any other health conditions. They are typically painless, and skin tags shouldn’t grow or change. If you notice a skin tag is painful, growing, or evolving, it may not be a skin tag, and you should consult a dermatologist. While skin tags aren’t harmful on their own, they may catch on clothing and other items. This can be painful and cause the skin tag to bleed or twist.
Why Skin Tags Develop During Pregnancy
Developing skin tags during pregnancy is very common. Expecting mothers can develop skin tags at any point in their pregnancy, but they are most common in later trimesters. Pregnancy skin tags may develop for a number of reasons, including:
- Hormonal changes – leptin, which is a hormone that stimulates the development of skin’s epithelial cells, is secreted by both mother and child during pregnancy. This increases the amount of leptin in the system and encourages skin tag production. In addition to increased leptin production, pregnancy also leads to higher levels of estrogen. This can increase skin laxity, which may cause skin to rub together, leading to skin tags.
- Weight gain – increased weight may cause skin to rub together. This friction is a common catalyst for skin tag development.
- Insulin sensitivity – diabetes and other metabolic disorders that cause improper insulin processing often leads to skin tags. In fact, high numbers of skin tags are a symptom that commonly leads to diabetes diagnosis.
- High cholesterol levels – many women struggle with elevated cholesterol levels during pregnancy. High cholesterol can cause a metabolic disorder called dyslipidemia where elevated amounts of lipids are found in blood. Skin tag development is one of the most common side effects of this condition.
Safe Treatment Options for Skin Tags
In almost all cases, pregnancy-related skin tags will go away on their own once you give birth and have stopped breast feeding as hormones return to pre-pregnancy levels. However, if desired, your dermatologist can remove skin tags safely. There are three common methods for skin tag removal:
- Surgical excision – using a snipping tool or scalpel, the dermatologist carefully removes the skin tag. This may be done under local anesthetic. For larger skin tags, stiches may be required after removal.
- Cauterization – uses intense heat or electrical current to burn away the skin tags.
- Cryosurgery – uses intense cold produced by liquid nitrogen to freeze away the skin tags.
Preventing Skin Tags During Pregnancy
In most cases, there’s no way to prevent skin tags during pregnancy. Like anyone else who develops skin tags, friction may be an underlying factor. Limiting friction against skin by wearing loose-fitting clothing and forgoing jewelry rubs against can decrease chances of skin tag development. Keeping skin moisturized may also limit risk by reducing friction when skin rubs against clothing and other materials. Excess weight is a common cause of skin tags, and weight gain is a necessary part of pregnancy. Ensuring weight gain is within an optimal, healthy range during pregnancy can reduce risk for developing skin tags. Finally, monitoring whole body health and taking necessary steps to manage diabetes, high blood pressure, and other health concerns will minimize risk for skin tag development.
When to Seek a Dermatologist’s Advice
Skin tags, Dr. Sawaya says, “Are harmless, and treatment isn’t typically recommended. However, if skin tags grow quickly or cause pain you may want to reach out to your dermatologist. These can be warning signs that skin tags are connected with something more serious like insulin resistance or diabetes mellitus. If the skin tag is bleeding or getting caught on jewelry, clothing, bags, or other items, you may want to schedule an appointment to have your skin tag examined and possibly removed by a professional.”
Manage Pregnancy-Related Skin Tags & Other Skin Health Concerns
According to Dr. Sawaya, “The best thing you can do to maintain healthy, beautiful skin during pregnancy is keep up with your consistent daily skincare routine. Coupled with good self-care, the real kind like staying hydrated, eating right, and getting plenty of sleep, a consistent skincare routine will minimize the effects of pregnancy on skin, including managing skin tags. Whenever skin health concerns arise, work with your dermatologist or other medical provider to address these concerns.”
Talk to a Dermatologist About Skin Tags
Skin tags and other changes in skin’s health and appearance during pregnancy can be frustrating, but a dermatologist will help you manage skin health needs before, during, and after pregnancy. When you’re ready to get started working with a knowledgeable dermatologist, don’t hesitate to reach out. The U.S. Dermatology Partners team makes scheduling your appointment simple. It just takes a few moments to complete our online scheduling request form, and once we receive your request, we’ll be in touch to finalize the details.
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