What Could Trigger Skin Tags? 15 Possible Causes

Stress

An evolutionarily adaptive trait among humans is the tendency to develop skin tags under stress. The physiological stress response is increased cortisol, which causes the pituitary gland to release growth hormone. The effect of the growth hormone is twofold: it stimulates cell growth and blocks cell death, which is why skin tags are a common side effect. This increased cell growth leads to increased production of keratinocytes, or skin cells. Since they are not being destroyed, they pile up on the skin’s surface and create skin tags.

When skin tags occur due to stress, they will typically show up within a year or two after the onset of the stressful situation. So naturally, there is only one tag that forms right away, though others may appear later on as well. In most cases, these tags will be small and inconspicuous; however, sometimes, they can become irritated and inflamed or even bleed if caught on something.

The biggest thing you can do to prevent your body from responding to stress with an overproduction of keratinocytes is to reduce your overall stress level. This involves relaxation techniques, regular exercise, getting enough sleep, healthy eating, and a strong support system.