Question:
Does anyone have skin tags from their excessive weight?

I was just wondering if anyone had skin tags? You know its like extra skin in like a ball! I guess from where your fat rubs and it causes these things. They are not painful and don't have any feeling in them. They are just embarrassing! I want to know if after you lose the weight these things go away? Or do you have to get them removed?    — [Anonymous] (posted on September 27, 1999)

September 27, 1999
My doc & I were swapping little known medical facts. His for me was the skin tags always go hand in hand with sleep apnea. I can't prove him wrong yet! I had literally thousands of 'em removed during my heavy years. I can't say if any fell off once the apnea was gone or if they just never revisted. Weird, huh? It may not be the weight, but your sleep apnea, diagnosed or not. Yes, the vast majority of us have sleep apnea, even though most docs don't btoher to check us. Just remember that apnea is a FATAL breathing disorder, not just a sleep problem.
   — vitalady

September 27, 1999
Well, I don't believe i have ever heard of anyone having skin tags because they are overweight. I think it is a skin condition. Heredity, Sun exposure, ect. I know my mother has them and I have them. Yeah, I hate them, and you can have them removed, but, they just come back. Several (20-30) of them are on my neck and I have to wear a uniform. The tight neck rubbs them and makes them bleed. If this operation makes them go away, I will be thrilled. But don't plan on it. Margie
   — Margie S.

September 27, 1999
I have skin tags also. I notice that I have them in the areas that rub against each other (like my inner legs, and arms). I asked my Doctor about them and he told me that they can be from excess weight rubbing against each other or just simply skin tags (overweight or not). He also told me that once I lose the weight and the skins not so much rubbing against each other they'll probably dry up and fall off. I'm hoping they do :) Hope I was some kind of help to you.
   — [Anonymous]

September 27, 1999
I noticed that my skin tags were everywhere when I was at my heaviest. I hated them and considered having them removed. I've lost 80 lbs since April and they have gone away by themselves. Almost every single one. I must have had 20 on the back of my neck, all over my belly, and another 20-30 on my inner thighs now they're all gone. All of them. You'll never be able to convince me that they aren't weight related.
   — patti S.

September 28, 1999
Hi. I'm not sure about the cause of skin tabs. I don't think the cause has anything to do with your skin rubbing together. I have had a few skin tags(small). Also my dad and my mom have had a few skin tags. They are an extra growth of skin. They will not go away on their own. You will have to have them removed. It's not a big deal....really it's not. I am a nurse so I've removed my own, and a also removed some from both of my parents. Best of luck to you.
   — Penny W.

November 2, 2000
I was told by a doctor some time ago that skin tags are partly due to excess weight...where the skin folds over or rubs. I get them in various places....on my neck where collars or necklaces rub. I just cut them off with a sterile cuticle scissors.
   — Tracy R.

November 2, 2000
Hi, I'm not sure where those pesky skin tags come from, but sure would like to know. Both my parents have them. I have several in places like the neck, inner thigh, under breasts, one on my eyelid, underarm area, one in the crook of my arm, and I just recently found out that I have one on my cervix. Hopefully they do go away after loosing weight. Vicki
   — Vicki V.