Skin tags – those small, fleshy growths that can sprout on the neck, armpits, groin or eyelids – are usually dismissed as little more than an unsightly cosmetic nuisance.
For millions of people, they are an irritating but harmless fact of life. Something to be frozen off, covered up or ignored.
But, as the Daily Mail revealed earlier this week through the case of California mother Janet Peets, they could end up being signs of much more.
Peets, 44, spent years being told the skin tags developing on her body were simply part of aging.
She was later diagnosed with insulin resistance – a little-known condition linked to prediabetes, type 2 diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Now doctors say these common growths can, in some cases, be an early visible clue that something more serious is happening beneath the surface.
While a single skin tag is rarely cause for alarm, clusters that appear suddenly should be examined.
That is especially true if they arrive alongside unexplained weight gain, fatigue, brain fog or changes in the skin, as one top expert revealed.
Skin tags are usually harmless. But according to metabolic health expert Dr Jody-Ann McLean, they can sometimes signal deeper hormonal and metabolic issues
What are skin tags and why do they appear?
Skin tags are small excess growths of skin. They typically appear on the neck, armpits, groin or eyelids.
They are most common in areas where skin rubs against skin or clothing.
Experts believe repeated friction can irritate the surface of the skin and trigger tiny areas of overgrowth, where extra collagen, blood vessels and skin cells build up over time.
Weight gain can increase this rubbing, while pregnancy and hormonal shifts may stimulate the same growth processes.
Genetics can also play a role, meaning some people are simply more prone to developing them.
In most cases, they are harmless and don’t pose a health risk.
But Dr Jody-Ann McLean, a doctor specializing in hormonal and metabolic health and insulin resistance, told the Daily Mail ‘they can actually be a visible clue about what’s going on in your body hormonally and metabolically.’
Hidden link to diabetes and blood sugar problems
Insulin resistance occurs when cells stop responding properly to the hormone, which controls blood sugar.
The body then tries to compensate by pumping out more insulin.
Experts believe the resulting persistently high levels can overstimulate growth receptors in the skin, prompting cells to multiply more quickly and increasing the formation of collagen and tiny blood vessels. That may help trigger the growth of multiple skin tags.
The problem is that insulin resistance is often symptomless and can go unnoticed for years.
Blood sugar levels may still look ‘normal’ on standard tests. Meanwhile, damage can silently build in the background.
This state of chronically high insulin, known as hyperinsulinemia, is believed to be behind prediabetes, type 2 diabetes and PCOS – conditions that collectively affect more than 100 million Americans.
Warning signs not to ignore
McLean added that a single skin tag does not necessarily indicate an underlying disease. Many people have them without any problematic health issues.
However, if you have a lot of skin tags, or if they appear suddenly alongside other changes, it may be worth getting checked.
Janet Peets, a 44–year–old California resident with a neuroscience background, spent years being told her skin tags, weight gain and brain fog were simply signs of aging
Other easy-to-dismiss warning signs include fat accumulation around the abdomen, which is strongly linked to insulin resistance as visceral fat – fat inside the body, around the abdominal organs – can interfere with how the body responds to the hormone.
Another is darkened, velvety patches of skin called acanthosis nigricans, which commonly appear on the neck, armpits or groin. Doctors say these patches can develop when excess insulin stimulates skin cells to grow and thicken.
Why they occur in pregnancy or menopause
Insulin resistance – and sometimes skin tags linked to it – is also a key feature of PCOS, a common hormonal disorder estimated to affect around five million women in the US and about 1.5 million in the UK.
It often causes irregular periods, high androgen levels, acne and excess hair growth. It can also disrupt ovulation, meaning eggs do not mature or get released normally, which can make it harder to conceive.
During menopause, lower levels of estrogen and changes in insulin sensitivity can increase the risk of insulin resistance. If this leads to higher-than-normal insulin levels, an affected person might develop new skin tags in midlife.
Skin tags are also common during pregnancy. To support the baby’s growth, there is often a natural increase in insulin and other hormones. Pregnancy-related skin tags might improve after delivery, but they do not always disappear.
The test many people are not offered
McLean advised that anyone who suddenly develops multiple skin tags should speak to their doctor about screening for blood sugar problems.
That may include a fasting insulin test – a blood test taken after not eating overnight – which shows how hard the body is having to work to keep blood sugar under control.
The test is especially worth discussing if the patient is also dealing with unexplained weight gain, constant tiredness, brain fog, strong carbohydrate cravings or irregular periods.
McLean said many routine diabetes checks might not do the trick, as they focus only on glucose (the amount of sugar circulating in the blood). But in the early stages of insulin resistance, blood sugar can still appear normal because the body produces extra insulin to keep it in range.
A fasting insulin test can sometimes reveal that hidden issue earlier. Without it, warning signs of metabolic trouble may be missed for years before a standard diabetes test finally shows something is wrong.
The woman who says doctors missed the clues for years
For years, Peets was told by multiple doctors that the skin tags developing on her body were simply a result of aging.
They first appeared during a pregnancy 15 years ago, then vanished. In 2022, they returned. Each physician assured her the growths were purely cosmetic and nothing to worry about. None suggested a connection to her metabolic health.
McLean told the Daily Mail that if you want your skin tags removed, options include freezing, heat or surgical removal by a qualified professional
After researching her own symptoms, she asked her doctor about insulin resistance. The diagnosis was confirmed in 2025, along with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Beyond the skin tags, Peets reported at least 12 signs of metabolic dysfunction. These included unexplained weight gain of 35lbs in nine months, severe exhaustion after meals, persistent brain fog that left her unable to finish sentences, constant carbohydrate cravings, rising blood pressure unresponsive to medication and elevated liver enzymes.
‘When I learned this, it was one of those moments where everything seemed to make sense,’ Peets said.
‘I’d been walking around with a visible sign of what was happening metabolically, and nobody had ever mentioned it.’
How to get rid of skin tags safely
Doctors have said insulin resistance is reversible for many people. The most effective approach is to lower the hormone’s levels through diet and lifestyle changes.
Some recommend cutting back on refined carbohydrates and added sugars while increasing protein, healthy fats and fiber.
Following her diagnosis, Peets adopted a strict regimen to reverse her condition. She now consumes 100g of protein per day while keeping carbohydrates to under 50g.
Regular exercise can also dramatically improve how your body responds to insulin.
If you want the tags themselves removed, McLean said options include freezing, heat or surgical removal. But, she added, always see a qualified professional – do not try to do it yourself at home.
‘The safest approach is to have them checked and removed by a dermatologist,’ Dr Shamsa Kanwal, a board-certified dermatologist, said. ‘Especially if they are changing, bleeding, painful, or you are not fully sure they are skin tags.
‘In office, we usually remove them with snip excision, liquid nitrogen or electrocautery, depending on the size and location.
‘I do not recommend DIY removal with acids, kits, thread or nail clippers because infection, scarring, bleeding and misdiagnosis are real risks.’
Skin tags will almost certainly return if you do not address the root cause. So while you can freeze or cut them off, if your insulin is still high, your body will just grow new ones.
