Do Thyroid Issues Lead to Increased Skin Tag Growth?

Understanding the Link Between Thyroid Issues and Skin Tags

Skin tags are small, soft skin growths that typically appear on the neck, armpits, groin, and other folds of the skin. While harmless, they can cause discomfort when rubbed by clothing and jewelry. Skin tags have many causes, but new research shows thyroid disorders may increase skin tag development.

What Are Skin Tags?

Skin tags go by several names like acrochordons, fibroepithelial polyps, and soft fibromas. Comprised of loose collagen fibers and blood vessels surrounded by thicker skin, these fleshy bumps form when skin rubs together, usually from friction with clothing and jewelry.

Skin tags often occur where skin creases and folds, such as the:

• Neck
• Armpits
• Groin
• Eyelids
• Under breasts
• Waist

Skin tags themselves cause no symptoms, but if tugged by adjacent skin or clothing they may itch or feel painful. Typically small, about 2-5 mm, skin tags can reach 2 cm across. They may have a narrow stalk or broad base and range from flesh-toned to darker than surrounding skin.

Linking Thyroid Disorders and Skin Tags

While researchers dont fully understand what triggers most skin tag growth, correlations between thyroid disease and skin tags exist. Thyroid disorders involve the gland producing too much (hyperthyroidism) or too little (hypothyroidism) key hormones.

Studies reveal associations between abnormal thyroid hormone levels and various skin changes like dryness, hair loss, and skin tag development. Exactly how thyroid problems promote skin tags remains unclear, but some theories suggest:

• Hormone imbalances alter skin metabolism, collagen production
• Inflammation from autoimmune thyroid disease impacts skin
• Insulin resistance related to thyroid dysfunction influences skin tags

Not everyone with a thyroid condition develops more numerous or larger skin tags. But for those predisposed to skin tags, an over or underactive thyroid may trigger increased skin tag growths.

Identifying and Removing Skin Tags

Since skin tags themselves cause no symptoms, many people dont know they have them. Others seek removal for appearance concerns or discomfort when skin tags get irritated. Knowing how doctors diagnose skin tags guides appropriate treatment.

Diagnosing Skin Tags

Doctors can frequently recognize skin tags just by visual examination. Skin tags have a characteristic appearance, with their narrow stalk or peduncle attaching them to the nearby skin. When needed, a biopsy may be done to confirm the diagnosis.

Doctors may also order thyroid testing for those with numerous or worsening skin tags to check for an associated thyroid disorder. Managing the thyroid condition may help slow new skin tag growths.

Treating and Removing Skin Tags

If skin tags dont bother patients, doctors often advise just leaving them alone. But various skin tag treatment options exist for symptom relief or cosmetic concerns:

• Cryosurgery uses liquid nitrogen to freeze, killing the skin tag so it falls off
• Electrocautery/Radiofrequency uses heat/radiowaves to destroy the skin tag
• Excisional surgery cuts the skin tag off using sterile scissors
• Ligation ties off the skin tag stalk to cut blood flow so it dies and drops off

Over-the-counter skin tag removal products also promise to remove skin tags quickly at home, though effectiveness varies.

Skin tags near the eyes or genitals may require referral to a specialist like an ophthalmologist or gynecologist. Seeking proper diagnosis rather than guessing if growths are skin tags ensures appropriate treatment.

What Causes Skin Tags and Who Gets Them?

Dermatologists still dont know exactly why skin tags grow, though evidence suggests combinations of mechanical friction, heredity, hormones, and skin folds contribute. People most prone to developing skin tags include:

• Middle aged and older adults
• Those who are overweight or have diabetes
• Pregnant women
• People with certain hereditary syndromes

Mechanical Causes of Skin Tags

How skin rubs against itself and clothing appears pivotal in skin tag formation. The constant friction likely damages skin cells, triggering extra collagen production leading to skin tags.

Areas where skin touches skin, like the neck, groin, and underarms, commonly grow skin tags. Tight clothing rubbing frequently also provokes skin tags.

Hormonal Factors for Skin Tags

Hormonal influences may additionally contribute to skin tag development. Pregnancy brings shifting estrogen levels, a possible factor in pregnant womens increased skin tag susceptibility.

Those with hormonal conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and thyroid disease often have more skin tags too. Exactly how hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and insulin relate remains complex.

Genetic Predisposition for Skin Tags

Genetics likely play some role, as skin tags sometimes run in families. Certain hereditary disorders also increase skin tag risk, like:

• Birt-Hogg-Dub syndrome
• Cronkhite-Canada syndrome
• Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome

These conditions feature gene mutations that affect the skin and other organ systems, causing extra skin tag growths.

Are Skin Tags Cause for Concern?

Skin tags themselves represent harmless, cosmetic skin abnormalities. But could they signal likelihood for other medical issues like thyroid disease or skin cancer?

No Cancer Risk from Skin Tags

Skin tags have no association with increased skin cancer risk. However, people with dysplastic nevus syndrome and other conditions featuring atypical moles may mistakenly think their lesions are harmless skin tags instead of precancerous growths needing evaluation.

Therefore, it is prudent to have new skin growths examined by a doctor to determine they are benign skin tags rather than growths needing further diagnostic tests or removal.

Possible Link to Metabolic Changes

While skin tags themselves are innocent, emerging research shows associations between excess skin tags and potential underlying metabolic abnormalities like:

• Insulin resistance
• Obesity
• Dyslipidemia
• Hypertension
• Fatty liver disease

So sudden crops of new skin tags may signal developing metabolic syndrome or related conditions, spurring doctors to assess patients for accompanying health issues needing intervention.

Coping with Embarrassing Skin Tags

Though harmless, skin tags in visible locations can create emotional distress or self-consciousness. Understanding why skin tags form and treatment options aids healthy coping.

Avoiding Known Skin Tag Triggers

Since mechanical friction worsens skin tags, minimizing known triggers reduces spread. Wearing smooth, loose fitting clothing and removing jewelry rubbing on existing skin tags prevents new ones.

Controlling associated health conditions like managing thyroid disorders, losing excess weight, and treating insulin resistance and diabetes may slow additional skin tag development too.

Seeking Emotional Support

Speaking to supportive loved ones about struggles if skin tags cause embarrassment grants relief. Online support groups connect people dealing with body image concerns and unwanted skin changes as well.

Counseling aids those greatly distressed over skin tags. Reminding oneself that skin tags are common, harmless, and can be removed assists in maintaining positive self-regard.

Exploring Skin Tag Removal Options

Understanding various skin tag treatment methods, from over-the-counter products to doctor procedures, offers hope. Checking if medical insurance covers professional skin tag removal for symptom relief facilitates getting needed treatment.

Though small, skin tags can produce big annoyance and distress. Learning what triggers them, avoiding causative habits, and exploring removal techniques helps people frustrated by embarrassing skin tags restore comfort and confidence.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.