Why do skin tags appear on the neck?

A skin tag, also called an acrochordon, is a small piece of soft tissue that often hangs from the skin by a narrow stalk. On the neck, movement and contact from collars, necklaces, scarves or nearby skin can irritate the area. Some people develop one growth, while others notice several over time. A dark colour can result from twisting or irritation, but colour alone cannot confirm what a bump is.

A new bump is not automatically a skin tag. Warts, moles and other lesions can look similar without close examination. Do not interpret a neck lump as proof of a serious disease, and do not diagnose it from a photograph alone.

Avoid catching the growth with a collar, chain or razor, and keep the surrounding skin gently clean. Do not cut, tie off or burn it yourself; bleeding, infection and an incorrect diagnosis can follow. If it snags, feels irritated or bothers you cosmetically, a dermatologist can examine it and discuss removal options such as [Skin Tag Removal](/treatments/surgical-dermatology/skin-tag-removal/), [Cryotherapy (Lesion Removal)](/treatments/surgical-dermatology/cryotherapy-lesion-removal/) or [Electrosurgery](/treatments/surgical-dermatology/electrosurgery/). The suitable option depends on its appearance, attachment and your skin’s healing history.

Arrange a clinical review if the bump grows quickly, becomes firm, repeatedly bleeds, develops persistent pain, forms an open sore or changes in a way you cannot explain. Seek prompt care for spreading redness, warmth, pus or fever after irritation or attempted removal. An examination is also sensible when the lesion is new and you are unsure whether it is a skin tag.

Ask: Does this look like a skin tag or another type of lesion? What features made you reach that view? Would monitoring be reasonable, or would removal help because it catches on clothing? Which method fits the location, and how should I care for the area while it heals?