Skin tags, also known as acrochordons, are common, harmless skin growths that frequently appear on the body in areas where skin rubs against skin or clothing. When they occur around the eyes, they can cause anxiety due to the delicate location. These growths are typically soft, flesh-colored, or slightly pigmented bumps. Understanding why these small growths appear in this sensitive area and how to manage them safely is important.
Defining Periorbital Skin Tags
A skin tag is a small, soft, benign tumor that is medically known as an acrochordon. They appear as tiny, pendulous flaps of tissue that are often attached to the skin by a thin stalk, or peduncle. Microscopically, acrochordons consist of a core of loosely arranged collagen fibers and blood vessels covered by an outer layer of skin, or epidermis. These growths are generally small, often measuring only a few millimeters in diameter, similar to a grain of rice. While they can occur anywhere, the periorbital area, including the eyelids, is a common site.
Factors Contributing to Their Development
The presence of skin tags in the eye area is often related to mechanical irritation, specifically the constant movement of the eyelids and the thinness of the surrounding skin. Friction is a major contributing factor, which can come from frequent rubbing of the eyes, blinking, or the consistent pressure from wearing eyeglasses. A genetic predisposition often plays a role, as a tendency to develop skin tags can run in families.
Systemic conditions and life stages can also increase their likelihood. For example, hormonal fluctuations, such as those experienced during pregnancy or menopause, are linked to an increased incidence of skin tags.
Furthermore, the sudden or increased appearance of skin tags can be a sign of underlying metabolic changes in the body. There is a documented association between acrochordons and conditions like insulin resistance, often seen in type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Individuals who notice a rapid onset of multiple skin tags are often advised to have their blood sugar levels checked by a primary care physician.
Distinguishing Skin Tags from Other Growths
While skin tags are harmless, other skin lesions around the eye can look similar, making professional diagnosis important. One common growth that may be confused with an acrochordon is a seborrheic keratosis, which can be similar in appearance. These growths are benign but appear more waxy or “stuck on” than a skin tag.
Other growths near the eyes include syringomas, which are benign tumors arising from sweat ducts that typically appear as small, flesh-colored bumps. Viral warts and benign melanocytic nevi, or moles, can also present as soft, pedunculated lesions on the eyelid. Because the periorbital region is also a site where rare malignant growths, like basal cell carcinoma, can appear, any growth that changes rapidly, bleeds, or has irregular borders should be evaluated by a healthcare professional immediately.
Safe Removal and Management Near the Eyes
Due to the extreme sensitivity and the proximity to the ocular surface, professional removal is strongly recommended for any skin tag near the eye. Attempting to remove a growth near the eye at home carries a high risk of infection, bleeding, scarring, and potential damage to the eye itself. Over-the-counter creams, kits, or methods like tying off the growth should be avoided entirely in this delicate area.
Dermatologists and oculoplastic surgeons use several safe and effective methods to remove periorbital skin tags, usually performed in an office setting under local anesthetic.
Removal Techniques
One common technique is cryotherapy, which involves freezing the growth with liquid nitrogen, causing it to fall off after a few days. Another method is electrocautery, which uses controlled heat to burn off the tag and seal the blood vessels. For larger or broader-based tags, a surgical snip or shave excision may be used to remove the growth at its base.