Eye Tags: Causes, Removal, and What They Reveal About Your Health
Key points
- Appearance: A small, soft, flesh-colored or slightly darker flap of skin.
- Texture: Smooth or slightly wrinkled.
- Attachment: It typically hangs from the skin by a thin stalk called a peduncle.
- Location: While they can appear anywhere, they are common in areas with skin folds, such as the eyelids, neck, armpits, and groin.
Have you noticed a small, soft piece of hanging skin on your eyelid? You're likely looking at what's commonly called an "eye tag." These tiny growths are incredibly common and usually harmless, but their appearance in such a prominent location can cause concern and cosmetic frustration.
This comprehensive guide delves into everything you need to know about eye tags, from their medical name and causes to their surprising connection to your overall health. Most importantly, we'll explain why professional medical care is the only safe way to have them removed and why you should never attempt it at home.
What is an Eye Tag (Acrochordon)?
An "eye tag" is simply a skin tag that has formed on the eyelid or the delicate skin surrounding the eye. Medically known as an acrochordon, it's a benign (non-cancerous) growth made of loose collagen fibers and blood vessels encased in a thin layer of skin.
Key characteristics of an eye tag include:
- Appearance: A small, soft, flesh-colored or slightly darker flap of skin.
- Texture: Smooth or slightly wrinkled.
- Attachment: It typically hangs from the skin by a thin stalk called a peduncle.
- Location: While they can appear anywhere, they are common in areas with skin folds, such as the eyelids, neck, armpits, and groin.
!A close-up image showing a benign skin tag on an eyelid.:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/skintag06__WatermarkedWyJXYXRlcm1hcmtlZCJd-2d0471789635431e8fdf9a11360bee01.jpeg) Image Source: Verywell Health
Although generally painless, eye tags can become irritated if they are rubbed frequently or catch on clothing or jewelry. If large enough, they can even interfere with vision.
What Causes Eye Tags to Appear?
While the exact cause remains unclear, medical experts believe several factors contribute to the development of eye tags.
- Friction: The most cited cause is skin rubbing against skin. The natural folds and movement of the eyelids create a perfect environment for this friction.
- Age: They become much more common in middle age and beyond.
- Genetics: If your close family members have skin tags, you are more likely to develop them.
- Hormonal Changes: Fluctuations in hormones, especially during pregnancy, can lead to an increase in skin tags.
- Obesity: Individuals who are overweight or obese have more skin folds, increasing friction and the likelihood of tag formation.
The Connection to Systemic Health Conditions
Perhaps the most important, and least known, aspect of eye tags is their potential role as an indicator of your overall health. The presence of multiple skin tags has been strongly linked to Metabolic Syndrome, a cluster of conditions that significantly increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
One study revealed that the risk of having metabolic syndrome was over 11 times higher in people with skin tags. A doctor may recommend screening for the following if you have numerous skin tags:
- High Blood Sugar / Insulin Resistance: This is a key factor, as insulin resistance can promote skin cell growth.
- High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): A frequent finding in individuals with skin tags.
- Abnormal Lipid Levels: High triglycerides and low "good" HDL cholesterol are often associated.
- Central Obesity: A larger waist circumference is a common link.
Therefore, you shouldn't dismiss an eye tag as just a cosmetic issue. It can be a valuable clue from your body, prompting a conversation with your doctor about your metabolic health.
Differentiating Eye Tags from Other Eyelid Growths
It is absolutely crucial that any new growth on your eyelid is correctly identified. While most are benign, some can be pre-cancerous or malignant. A trained medical professional is the only person who can make an accurate diagnosis.
Common Benign Eyelid Lesions
Your doctor will differentiate a simple eye tag from other common, harmless lesions like:
- Seborrheic Keratosis: Waxy, "stuck-on" looking growths, common in older adults.
- Viral Warts (Verruca Vulgaris): Caused by HPV, these can have a finger-like or flat appearance.
- Cysts: Small, fluid-filled sacs like Cysts of Moll (from sweat glands) or Cysts of Zeis (from oil glands).
- Chalazion: A painless lump caused by a blocked oil gland within the eyelid.
Image Source: Medical News Today
When to Be Concerned: Red Flags for Malignancy
While rare, eyelid cancers do occur. See a doctor immediately if you notice a lesion with any of the following features, as they could be signs of Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC), Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC), or Melanoma:
- Rapid or gradual enlargement
- Irregular borders or multiple colors
- Ulceration, oozing, or bleeding
- Loss of eyelashes (madarosis) in the area
- A firm, fixed texture
- Distortion of the natural eyelid shape
Safe and Professional Eye Tag Removal
The consensus among dermatologists, ophthalmologists, and medical organizations is clear: professional removal is the only safe option for an eye tag.
Why At-Home Removal is Extremely Dangerous
The skin on and around your eyelids is incredibly thin and sensitive, with a rich blood supply and close proximity to your eyeball. Attempting to remove an eye tag yourself with unsterilized tools like nail clippers, string, or over-the-counter kits is a recipe for disaster.
The risks of DIY removal include:
- Severe Infection: Introducing bacteria into this delicate area can lead to a serious infection that could threaten your vision.
- Uncontrolled Bleeding: You can easily nick a blood vessel, leading to significant bleeding that is difficult to stop.
- Permanent Scarring: Improper removal techniques almost always result in more noticeable and permanent scarring.
- Direct Eye Injury: A slip of the hand could cause a catastrophic, irreversible injury to your cornea or the eye itself.
- Misdiagnosis: You might be attempting to remove a cancerous lesion, which could delay life-saving treatment and potentially cause it to spread.
The FDA does not approve any over-the-counter skin tag removal products and warns against their use due to these potential harms.
Professional Treatment Options
A dermatologist or an oculoplastic surgeon can remove an eye tag quickly, safely, and with minimal discomfort or scarring. Common procedures include:
- Surgical Excision: The doctor numbs the area and uses sterile surgical scissors or a scalpel to precisely snip off the tag at its base.
- Electrosurgery (Cauterization): An electric current is used to burn off the tag. This method is very effective and instantly seals the blood vessel, preventing bleeding.
- Cryotherapy: The doctor applies liquid nitrogen to freeze the tag, causing it to wither and fall off within a week or two.
- Ligation: A medical professional may tie a sterile surgical thread around the base of the stalk to cut off its blood supply, causing it to fall off.
Can Eye Tags Be Prevented?
While you can't entirely prevent skin tags due to factors like genetics and age, you can take steps to lower your risk. Since the primary drivers are friction and metabolic issues, prevention focuses on addressing them:
- Maintain a Healthy Weight: Reducing excess skin folds minimizes friction.
- Manage Health Conditions: Keeping blood sugar and other metabolic factors under control can help.
- Avoid Eye Rubbing: Reduce unnecessary friction around the eyes.
- Gentle Skincare: Use mild cleansers and moisturizers around the eye area.
The "Other" Meaning of Eye Tag
It's worth noting that outside the medical world, "eye tag" has a completely different slang meaning. According to Urban Dictionary, it can refer to a form of flirting by making extended, repeated eye contact with someone across a room without speaking. While interesting, this usage is far less common and should not be confused with the medical condition.
Key Takeaways
Eye tags are common, benign skin growths that are usually more of a cosmetic nuisance than a medical threat. However, their presence can sometimes signal underlying health conditions like metabolic syndrome.
The most critical message is about safety: never try to remove an eye tag at home. The risks of infection, scarring, and severe eye injury are far too high. Always consult a medical professional for an accurate diagnosis and to discuss safe, effective removal options.
References
About the author
Elena Vance, MD, is a double board-certified dermatologist and pediatric dermatologist. She is an assistant professor of dermatology at a leading medical university in California and is renowned for her research in autoimmune skin disorders.