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Acrochordon in Child
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Acrochordon in Child

See also in: Anogenital
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Contributors: Noah Craft MD, PhD, Lindy P. Fox MD, Lowell A. Goldsmith MD, MPH
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Synopsis

Acrochordon : Axilla, Inframammary fold of chest, Neck, Skin tag, Inguinal region
Acrochordons, also known as skin tags or fibroepithelial polyps, are common benign, cutaneous growths. They present as small, skin-colored or brown, soft papules and are most commonly found in areas of frequent friction such as the eyelids, neck, axillary, and inguinal areas. They are usually asymptomatic but can become irritated by clothing or jewelry. Occasionally, lesions twist upon their own stalk, which leads to strangulation of their blood supply and spontaneous necrosis of the lesion. Acrochordons are associated with increasing age, pregnancy, diabetes, and obesity. Men and women are affected equally, and there is no difference in prevalence among different ethnicities and races.

Acrochordons can also be a feature of the autosomal-dominantly inherited Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome. They are increased in number in acromegaly and are sometimes associated with acanthosis nigricans.

Codes

ICD10CM:
L91.8 – Other hypertrophic disorders of the skin

SNOMEDCT:
201091002 – Skin tag

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Last Updated:10/29/2018
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Patient Information for Acrochordon in Child
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Acrochordon : Axilla, Inframammary fold of chest, Neck, Skin tag, Inguinal region

Overview

Acrochordons, commonly known as skin tags, are small (usually about the size of a sesame seed), benign (noncancerous) skin-colored skin growths. They can occur anywhere on the body, but they most often occur in areas where there is skin folding, such as the neck and armpits. Skin tags are painless unless they are irritated (such as being snagged on jewelry or clothing), and then they may become itchy or tender. While there is nothing that will prevent them from occurring, they are not contagious and a doctor can remove them.

Who’s At Risk

Skin tags are very common, and anyone of any age can get one, though they are much more common in older people (in fact, more than half of adults have at least one skin tag) and people who are obese.

Signs & Symptoms

Skin tags are most commonly found on the eyelids, neck, armpits, and groin area. They are skin-colored growths on a thin stalk, ranging in size from small to large.

Self-Care Guidelines

None necessary.

When to Seek Medical Care

Skin tags are benign in nature, and, therefore, no treatment is necessary. However, you should seek evaluation from a primary care provider or dermatologist if you are either uncertain of the diagnosis or if the skin tag become irritated or painful.

Treatments

Skin tags may be treated by:
  • Snipping with scissors
  • Freezing with liquid nitrogen (cryosurgery)
  • Destroying the skin tag(s) with an instrument providing a small of amount of electrical current (electrodesiccation)

References


Bolognia, Jean L., ed. Dermatology, pp.1863-1864. New York: Mosby, 2003.

Freedberg, Irwin M., ed. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 6th ed, pp. 767, 993-994, 1827. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003.
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Acrochordon in Child
See also in: Anogenital
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A medical illustration showing key findings of Acrochordon : Axilla, Inframammary fold of chest, Neck, Skin tag, Inguinal region
Clinical image of Acrochordon - imageId=3553735. Click to open in gallery. caption: 'A close-up of a dark brown pedunculated papule.'
A close-up of a dark brown pedunculated papule.

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