A 2010 study found that people with multiple skin tags were more likely to be insulin resistant. Because of the larger body size, people who are obese or overweight may experience more skin-on-skin friction, which could explain the additional skin tags. People who are obese are more likely to develop skin tags. A 2008 study found that almost half of skin tags tested from the 37 patients in the study were positive for HPV DNA. This STD is known for causing genital warts, but it may also cause skin tags. In addition, changes to the body may increase friction with skin and clothes. Hormonal changes that occur in pregnancy may increase a woman’s chances for developing vaginal skin tags. Over time, friction in the genital area may lead to these benign growths. Skin tags can be found in areas of the body where a lot of friction occurs, such as around the neck, under breasts, and in between or just below your buttock folds. Doctors accept skin-against-skin friction and skin-against-clothing friction as a common cause for vaginal skin tags. Researchers have identified six risk factors many people with vaginal skin tags share:įriction. It’s not completely clear why vaginal skin tags develop or what causes them. What causes vaginal skin tags and who’s at risk? Genital warts, however, are known to be caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and can be passed to a sexual partner. Vaginal skin tags may or may not be contagious, depending on the cause. Vaginal skin tags and genital warts are easily mistaken for each other, so if you’re concerned, it’s a good idea to see a doctor. With time, genital warts may grow and develop into a cluster. But unlike genital warts, skin tags most often occur by themselves. When they’re flatter in appearance, they may be confused with genital warts. Occasionally, vaginal skin tags can appear to be flat. However, at times they can grow to be quite large. That’s about half the size of a pencil eraser. The tag’s skin color may be the same as surrounding skin, or it may be darker.Īll skin tags are typically very small - only 2 to 10 millimeters. They sit on a stalk, which is also called a peduncle. Vaginal skin tags look like the head of a pin or a deflated balloon.

Pregnancy skin tags