Chances are you’ve seen a skin tag on your body, even if you had no clue what it was. Skin tags are harmless, non-cancerous growths on the skin. They can appear anywhere in the body but are most common in areas where the skin folds, like the armpits, groin, thighs, under breasts, and even eyelids.

The exact cause of skin tags is unknown, but given their prevalence around skin folds, it’s believed that they may form due to friction between skin. Skin tags are made of blood vessels and collagen, though they’re covered by an outer layer of skin and attach to the body via a tiny stem known as a peduncle.

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Research has found that certain factors make people more prone to skin tags – being overweight, a family history of skin tags, having an insulin resistance and/or type 2 diabetes, HPV, and interestingly, pregnancy.

If you’ve noticed skin tags that were never there while expecting, don’t panic – this can be completely normal. Here’s what you need to know about skin tags in pregnancy.

Why Skin Tags Are More Common In Pregnancy

Since the exact cause of skin tags is unknown, there’s no clear answer to this question. But some research suggests it may be related to the weight a person gains while pregnant. The more weight a person carries, the more likely they are to have skin folds and flaps, which increases the likelihood of friction between skin.

But What to Expect explains that other theories suggest fluctuating hormones in pregnancy may also contribute to a higher prevalence of skin tags.

For example, one study from 2019 found that people with higher levels of the hormone leptin were more likely to have skin tags. Leptin works to promote the growth of skin cells, and are produced by both mother and baby in pregnancy, which may explain the higher likelihood of skin tags in pregnancy.

Another study found that higher levels of estrogen (which is common in pregnancy) may also produce skin tags.

They’re Most Common In Second Trimester

Skin tags in pregnancy aren’t that common – one study found that only 12% of expecting women will experience this dermatological change. But they are more likely the farther along in pregnancy you are.

According to Healthline, pregnant women are most prone to developing skin tags in the second trimester, though they can occur at any point of gestation. This may be because you’re most likely to gain weight in the second trimester. As Medicine Net explains, while some women experience equitable weight gain in the second and third trimester, most find that this slows down during the final month or two of pregnancy.

Do Skin Tags Go Away After Pregnancy?

In some cases, the skin tag may go away or shrink on its own after you give birth and your body returns to normal – this may take longer if you’re breastfeeding, as the body is still producing an excess of hormones in order to make breast milk.

Conversely, they may not disappear after pregnancy, which is normal and not a cause for concern. But there are treatments that can be done to reduce their appearance or remove them completely, such as:

  • Cauterizing
  • Cutting the skin tag off
  • Freezing the skin tag with liquid nitrogen

Removing a skin tag is generally an easy, non-invasive process that can be done by a family physician or dermatologist. You may be recommended to wait until after breastfeeding has ceased to remove a skin tag.

However, it’s never recommended to remove a skin tag yourself, no matter how uncomfortable it may be. This may result in excessive bleeding or infection.

While there are some chemical products on the market that promise to allow you to remove skin tags at home, these are not recommended for use, unless recommended by your doctor. At the very least, do not try any DIY products in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Always speak to a doctor first.

When Skin Tags Are Cause For Concern

In general, skin tags are harmless – they’re not cancerous, and they shouldn’t cause you pain.

Granted, there’s always a chance they may snag on clothing or jewelry, which can cause injury if not dealt with delicately. It’s a best practice to be gentle when doing anything that may interfere with the skin tag.

If your skin tag begins causing you pain or changes appearance, it’s best to get it looked at by a healthcare professional. The following signs may indicate something more serious:

  • It changes color
  • It becomes painful
  • The skin tag is raw or bleed
  • If the growth is hard and can’t move easily
  • It’s a different color than the surrounding skin

If your skin tag exhibits any of the aforementioned signs, please have it looked at by your doctor, regardless of whether you’re pregnant or not. And of course, if you have any questions about skin tags in pregnancy, especially if you're wondering whether yours are normal or will resolve itself, please speak to a healthcare professional who can provide you with more information.

Sources: Medicine Net, What to Expect, Healthline, NIH, NIH, PMC,