A skin tag is a small fold of skin or open pit. Skin tags are common in newborns. Although they can appear in a variety of locations, they most commonly appear near the ears. A variety of factors can cause skin tags.

Skin tags can simply be a product of genetics. According to the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, some newborns may simply have an inherited tendency to develop skin tags on the ears.

The newborn may also have inherited a genetic syndrome, such as Treacher-Collins Syndrome, which causes skin tags in front of a newborn baby's ears.

Excess amounts of skin produced during development can cause skin tags. This extra skin folds together to form a harmless skin tag near the newborn's ear.

According to Medical News Today, friction and irritation that occur when skin rubs against itself can also cause skin tags. A newborn baby's face experiences significant friction during birth.

Regardless of the cause of skin tags, they are generally harmless. However, it is important to seek medical attention if you notice swelling, bleeding or discharge at the site of the newborn's skin tag.