What should you know about dry skin tag?

A true skin tag is usually a soft, flesh-coloured growth that hangs from a small stalk, often in a fold such as the neck, underarm or groin. Friction can make it sore, dry or crusted. A rough, scaly, bleeding or firmly attached spot may instead be a wart, eczema, psoriasis or another lesion. Dryness around a growth does not establish what it is, and a symptom page about Dry Skin cannot replace an examination.

Keep the area clean, reduce rubbing from clothing or jewellery, and apply a bland moisturiser to surrounding dry skin if it does not sting. Do not cut, tie off, freeze or burn the growth yourself; these actions can cause bleeding, infection or a scar and may obscure its appearance. A clinician can confirm the diagnosis and discuss removal when the lesion catches, bleeds or becomes irritated. Emollient Therapy may help nearby dryness but will not remove a growth.

Book a review if the lesion is new and uncertain, changes in colour or shape, grows, bleeds without rubbing, forms a persistent crust, becomes painful, or does not resemble a soft stalked tag. Seek prompt care for spreading redness, warmth, pus or fever after injury. A changing or bleeding lesion should be assessed rather than treated as simple dryness.

Ask what the growth appears to be, whether friction is irritating it, whether removal is appropriate, and what warning changes should prompt a return visit. Tell the clinician when it appeared, whether it has changed, and whether it catches on clothing or jewellery.