What You Need To Know About Skin Tags During Pregnancy

Changes in skin are common during pregnancy, including skin tags. Here's what they are and why they may occur.

pregnant woman looking in mirror

Getty Images/Eva-Katalin

During pregnancy, your body will undergo many changes; some expected, like a growing belly, and some might be a total surprise—like skin tags. 

Believe it or not, it’s common to find small skin tags popping up in unexpected places. 

We talked to the experts to learn more about what skin tags are, what causes them, and if they go away. 

What Are Skin Tags? 

Skin tags are benign growths on the body that are usually the same color or darker than your skin,  according to the American Academy of Dermatology. They can also appear pinkish. Skin tags typically grow in the neck, eyelids, or underarms. Sometimes they "dangle from a stalk," and other times, they are shorter and closer to the skin's surface. 

“They are usually small protrusions from the skin, usually less than a quarter of an inch," says Kelly Culwell, MD, MPH, an OB-GYN in San Diego.

Some people confuse skin tags for warts, but they are different. Warts are hard and caused by various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). Skin tags, however, are soft and often caused by hormonal changes

What Causes Skin Tags During Pregnancy? 

Pregnancy can feel like a wild time when it comes to hormones since so many changes are happening to your body seemingly all at once, including growing skin tags. While pregnancy-related skin tags are not well-studied, researchers have found that the hormones androgen and estrogen may be linked to developing skin tags.

"An increase in sex hormones, as well as the hormone leptin, which aids in the regulation of appetite and fat storage, is mainly responsible for the development of skin tags during pregnancy," says Skyler Jacobs, MSN, APRN, CNM, a certified nurse midwife at Modern Obstetrics & Gynecology of North Atlanta.

Skin tags can pop up at any point during pregnancy, but they are more likely when you’re further along. "In pregnancy, they can be seen most commonly in the second or third trimester," says Ruth O. Arumala, DO, MPH, NCMP, an OB-GYN with a solo practice in Mansfield, Texas, and co-chief medical officer at Zuri Fertility.

But while hormones play a significant role in forming skin tags during pregnancy, they can also happen from weight gain and increased friction, especially in areas like under the breast and groin, explains Dr. Culwell.

How Common Are Skin Tags?

If you suddenly spot skin tags anywhere on your body, there is no need to worry—they are common during pregnancy, but also during other stages of your life. 

"In general, around 50-60% of individuals will develop at least one skin tag during their lifetime, affecting both males and females alike," says Jacobs. "This incidence can increase during pregnancy.”

Can You Prevent Skin Tags in Pregnancy?

You may be able to reduce the formation of skin tags by maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding tight clothing that causes friction, keeping the skin clean and dry, and practicing good hygiene, says Jody A. Levine, MD, FAAD, FAAP, a board-certified pediatrician, board-certified cosmetic and surgical dermatologist, and director of dermatology at Plastic Surgery & Dermatology of NYC.

"However, in certain circumstances, the tendency to develop skin tags is genetic, and certain people may be more likely to form them, despite excellent practices," adds Dr. Levine. 

Jacobs adds that some conditions, including obesity, high cholesterol, and diabetes, are associated with skin tag development. "Decreasing your risk of having these conditions prior to pregnancy can help decrease your risk of skin tags," Jacobs says.

Should You Remove Skin Tags?

You might not notice your skin tags, especially if they aren't visible due to location. Still, not every person is a fan of skin tags, and some may wish to have them removed. 

"In most cases, skin tags are harmless and painless, so removal is usually done for cosmetic reasons or if they become bothersome due to rubbing or snagging on clothing or jewelry," says Dr. Levine. "They can be removed through snipping, freezing, cauterization, or ligation. In the right hands, skin tag removal is uncomplicated."

If you choose to have your skin tags removed, it’s best to speak with your health care provider instead of doing it yourself since that poses risks, including bleeding and infection. Several types of products on the market claim to help you safely remove skin tags at home. But the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) warns some of these products are unsafe and not regulated or approved for removing moles and skin tags.  

Will Skin Tags Go Away on Their Own? 

For pregnant people who are unhappy with their skin tags but aren't in a rush to have them professionally removed, there is some hope—skin tags usually go away on their own after giving birth.

"Skin tags that developed during pregnancy can, and typically do, go away postpartum,” says Jacobs. Ones that don’t go away can be removed professionally. "Those that are removed are unlikely to recur, but new skin tags can develop in predisposed skin areas,” adds Jacobs. 

When To Get Medical Help

Skin tags are typically harmless. But Dr. Levine says that if you notice any of the following changes in the appearance of your skin tags, then you should consult a dermatologist:

  • Rapid growth
  • Bleeding
  • Signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, pain, or discharge

"Additionally, if a skin tag causes significant discomfort, interferes with daily activities, or becomes irritated, it is recommended to seek medical advice," says Dr. Levine.

Keep in mind, certain cancerous growths may be mistaken for skin tags. That's why it's always a good idea to check in with a health care provider if you notice any new growths on the body.

The Bottom Line

Most people will have a skin tag at some point in their lives—they are generally harmless and not something to be worried about. Skin tags are a commonly reported phenomenon during pregnancy. And while they can't be 100% prevented, they are not likely to cause you or your pregnancy any harm. But talk to your health care provider if you notice any changes in your skin tags, such as redness, swelling, or signs of infection.

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Sources
Parents uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Wart. StatPearls. 2023

  2. A study of androgen and estrogen receptors α, β in skin tags. Indian Journal of Dermatology. 2010

  3. The Correlation between Body Mass Index with the Occurrence of Skin Tag. Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2017

  4. Skin Tags. StatPearls. 2022

  5. Epidermal Growths. Lookingbill and Marks' Principles of Dermatology (Sixth Edition), 2019

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