Skin tags
 

I have noticed a increase of skin tags albeit very small around my neck area. I'm a little concerned because this is only the area that gets exposed to the sun, I normally wear a long sleeved hoodie to cover my arms, and I never wear shorts. They started off looking like moles, but are growing into skin tags.

Do you think this is something i should go to the doctors about, incase it is something like skin cancer?

I think if it's something you feel you're going to fret about then go and talk to your GP. I've not heard of skin tags being anything to worry about but if you're concerned they might be moles it's prob best to get em checked out. I'm sure GP's would rather see a few people with a concern that can be sorted out quickly than people who ignore changes in their body!

Also, you can get them removed if they bother you. I had a massive one under my arm which I kept catching when shaving - they zapped it with electrolysis (I think!) at a local beauty salon and after a while it just fell off.

hth, Bx

If they are true skin tags then they aren't sun related. I think they are common on the neck because it's an area of friction - the neckline of tops can rub against the skin. If however they are actually changing moles then they are definitely worth seeing a doctor about. Like was said above they can also be removed fairly easily.

If they were plain and simply skin tags and you were sure of that (ie knew what skin tags were and knew it wasn't a lump) then I'd say leave them unless they start really bothering you as skin tags in themself, unless they start rubbing don't phusically cause a problem. However, from what you're saying these may be moles that have changed (or at least 1 of them) which is more of a problem. It may be it is just coincidence but with moles you don't want to wait and see. Some moles, regardless of exposuure to the sun, can lead to problems such as cancer being the main one people think of later in life and yes, sun does make the chance of this more likely. Because of this, people are advised that if there is any change to the mole at all then they should get it checked out which can be things like this or it being raised more/ sunken/ not have an easily marked border (as in the edge becomes sort of fuzzy)/ it growing/ changing in colour.

So yes, as at least some of it is involving skin with skin tags they need to be checked out to ensure everything is ok.