A skin tag, medically known as an acrochordon, is a common, non-cancerous skin growth that can appear anywhere on the body, including the sensitive nipple or areola area. These growths are typically harmless and are composed of a loose core of collagen fibers and small blood vessels surrounded by epidermis. Finding a new growth in this area can be concerning, but skin tags are almost always benign. Any unknown growth warrants careful attention and professional confirmation.
Identifying the Growth Near the Nipple
A true skin tag on or near the nipple is a small, soft projection of tissue that often hangs from the skin on a narrow stalk called a peduncle. These growths are usually flesh-colored or slightly hyperpigmented, ranging in size from a pinhead up to a few millimeters in diameter. Unlike moles, skin tags are soft, moveable, and generally smooth to the touch. Their development is often linked to two main factors: friction and hormonal shifts. Localized friction from clothing, such as a tight bra, stimulates growth, and hormonal fluctuations experienced during pregnancy are also strongly associated with their formation.
Other Benign Growths That Mimic Skin Tags
It is important to distinguish a skin tag from other benign growths that can appear in the nipple or areola region, as their appearance can be similar. One significant differential diagnosis is an accessory nipple (polythelia), a congenital condition that is a remnant of the embryonic “milk line.” Accessory nipples can vary widely, sometimes appearing merely as a small, pigmented spot that looks like a mole, but they often contain elements of the full breast structure, such as glandular tissue or a fully formed areola, and tend to be firmer than a skin tag. Moles (nevi) are another common mimic, but they are typically flatter and lack the soft, pedunculated stalk that characterizes a skin tag. A professional evaluation is needed because other possibilities, including seborrheic keratoses, viral warts, or certain benign tumors like a nipple adenoma or a neurofibroma, can also present as a small, raised growth.
When to Consult a Healthcare Provider
While most growths near the nipple are harmless, any change in breast tissue warrants professional evaluation to ensure an accurate diagnosis. Consult a healthcare provider if the growth changes rapidly in size, shape, or color, or if it suddenly starts to bleed without being irritated. Other concerning signs include the presence of pain, tenderness, persistent itchiness, or any type of discharge from the growth itself. A professional check is also necessary if the growth is firm, fixed, or if the surrounding skin shows signs of inflammation, such as swelling, redness, or dimpling. If the growth is new and does not resolve, or if you feel uncertain about its identity, a physician can examine the lesion and, if needed, perform a biopsy to confirm it is not a more serious underlying condition.
Professional Removal Methods
If a skin tag is confirmed and requires removal for cosmetic reasons or because it is frequently irritated by clothing, several professional procedures are available. The most common method is surgical excision, or snip removal, where the doctor numbs the area and uses sterile surgical scissors to quickly cut the tag at its base. Another technique is cryotherapy, which involves applying liquid nitrogen to the skin tag to freeze and destroy the tissue, causing the tag to fall off within a week or two. Electrocautery is also used, employing a high-frequency electrical current to burn the stalk and base of the skin tag. These procedures are typically quick, minimally invasive, and performed in a medical office setting with a local anesthetic; however, avoid attempting self-removal, especially in the sensitive nipple area, as this can lead to bleeding, infection, and scarring.