Skin tags are extra fibrous growths that appear in areas where the skin rubs against itself. They often cause no discomfort, but some people find them unsightly or irritating. Contact Copper Mountain Surgical now!
A health care provider can safely remove them using several procedures. While searching for home remedies on Google or TikTok might be tempting, it is best to let a medical professional handle this procedure.
There are several home removal techniques for skin tags. Most involve drying out the fleshy growths until they shrink and fall off. While these methods may work for small skin tags not located in sensitive areas, it is always best to consult a medical professional. This ensures proper assessment, reduces the risk of complications, and provides peace of mind.
One popular method involves cutting off the fleshy growths with scissors or nail clippers. This should only be done by a person who is medically safe to do so and after properly cleaning the area and disinfecting the tools. Skin tags often have a central blood supply, and cutting them off can cause bleeding. This is especially problematic for people who use blood thinners or have bleeding disorders.
Another common home removal technique is applying a topical solution to the skin tag. Apple cider vinegar is an effective remedy, and some people soak cotton balls in the liquid and affix them to the tag with a bandage for about 10 minutes, two or three times per day, until the tag falls away. However, this solution is considered very acidic and can potentially cause chemical burns.
Tea tree oil has antiseptic properties and can also help remove the skin tag. Some individuals apply a drop of the natural substance to the growth with a cotton swab and repeat this process a few times a day until it disappears. However, this remedy should be used cautiously as too much pressure can result in the growth becoming reattached to the surrounding skin.
There are also over-the-counter kits that use liquid nitrogen to freeze off skin tags at home. This type of kit is usually quite messy and has the potential to scar or discolor the surrounding skin.
Snipping
Surgical scissors are used to cut off skin tags. Usually, the dermatologist will numb the area with a numbing agent before this procedure. A dermatologist can also use liquid nitrogen, a very cold gas, to freeze the tag and its stalk. The frozen tissue will fall off after 10 to 14 days. This is called cryosurgery. A doctor can also burn off the tag using a special device called electrocautery. It can also be removed by ligation, which involves tying the stem of a skin tag to reduce blood flow and cause it to fall off.
Because of their shape, color and texture, skin tags can look like other skin conditions, including warts or moles. Only a trained eye can diagnose skin tags, which means you should never self-diagnose or try to remove them yourself at home. If you are concerned about any spots on your body, talk to a family doctor or a dermatologist. You can make an appointment with your physician in person, or you can also consult with a MinuteClinic provider who is trained to assess and treat these growths, according to healthdirect.
While it’s impossible to prevent skin tags, keeping your weight under control may help keep them at bay. Keeping the skin moisturized and wearing clothing that doesn’t irritate the area can also reduce their appearance. If you are considering removing skin tags, remember that they typically don’t require treatment, and home remedies can be dangerous. Never attempt to remove a skin tag by cutting it off yourself, as this can cause excessive bleeding or infection. The best methods are freezing the growth with liquid nitrogen or snipping it off with surgical scissors, but numbing injections can make this more comfortable.
Freezing
Skin tags are small flaps of flesh-colored tissue that hang from a thin stalk. They appear anywhere skin rubs together or in folds, such as the neck, armpit, eyelids and groin. They’re more common in overweight people, diabetics and pregnant women. They also tend to snag on jewelry or clothing. They’re harmless and don’t cause pain, but some people want them removed.
Over-the-counter “freezing” kits contain ligation bands that can be placed around the base of skin tags to cut off circulation. They’re usually effective in a few days, but they can cause skin irritation. Some people use tea tree oil or apple cider vinegar to remove skin tags, but these substances can irritate the surrounding skin and may not work.
A physician, often a dermatologist, can surgically remove skin tags. A doctor can numb the area before using a scalpel to slice off a skin tag, or he or she can freeze it off with liquid nitrogen. Another option is electrocautery, in which a doctor uses an electric current to burn off the growth. A doctor can also surgically remove the entire stalk of a skin tag to prevent it from growing back.
A doctor can also freeze away skin tags with a cryo-surgical device, which emits extremely low temperatures to destroy unwanted cells. The procedure, which is typically done at a spa or clinic, can be very effective and relatively painless. It’s an excellent option for people who don’t have the time or inclination to undergo a surgical procedure or for whom bleeding risks are high. It’s not recommended for pregnant or nursing women, and it should be avoided if someone is taking blood thinners.
Cauterization
Skin tags are flesh-colored growths that develop in areas where the skin rubs together, like the neck, armpit or groin. These tiny, pedunculated lesions are harmless and may go away on their own, but many people want them removed for cosmetic reasons. These skin growths are not painful, but they can be irritating and snag on clothing or jewelry. Several at-home skin tag removal techniques exist, from wart removers to freezing kits. But these methods have little evidence behind them and can cause scarring, bleeding or infection.
Instead, dermatologists prefer to remove skin tags in the office by numbing the area and cutting them off with surgical scissors. Alternatively, they can freeze the growths using liquid nitrogen, which can reduce their appearance over time.
Histopathology of skin tags reveals that the lesion has an attenuated epidermis, a flattened basal cell layer and increased pigmentation. They are usually attached to the underlying skin by a thin pedicle. It appears that some skin tags are the last remnants of a pre-existing melanocytic nevus, and others may be benign tumors of the peripheral nerve system or neurofibroma.
The most effective treatment option is a medical procedure called cauterization, which uses electricity or chemicals to burn the growths. It’s a low-risk clinic procedure, but it isn’t without risk. The process can cause scarring and damage to healthy tissue, so it’s important to have this done by a medical professional who understands the best technique and how much pressure to use. After the procedure, patients should apply antibiotic ointment and keep the wound covered to lower the risk of infection. They should also visit their doctor if they notice any changes to the growths or have pain and bleeding.
Surgery
Skin tags are usually painless, but they can irritate the skin around them or become inflamed if they rub against clothing, jewelry or other objects. In some cases, people want to remove them for cosmetic reasons or to alleviate symptoms such as pain or irritation. In a medical setting, your dermatologist can remove skin tags through surgery in the form of ligation or excision.
The doctor will use either a topical cream or injection anaesthetic to numb the area before performing the procedure. Depending on the method, they may then snip a skin tag with scalpels or medical-grade scissors, or they can cauterize it to kill it. The doctor will then use a band or a ligature to reduce blood flow, which causes the tag to eventually fall off.
Surgical skin tag removal is not covered by health insurance, but it can be a convenient option for those who want to avoid the discomfort of home treatment methods. However, it’s important to see a healthcare professional if you notice any changes in your skin tag that could be an indication of something more serious such as a wart or a mole.
There is a small risk for bleeding during and after the procedure, and there’s also the possibility of scarring or an infection at the removal site. It’s very important to follow your doctor’s aftercare instructions carefully to prevent complications. It’s also best to visit your dermatologist to keep track of any growths that develop, especially those on your body that aren’t easily visible. They can check the area for skin cancer and other potential signs of disease and provide you with a variety of safe removal options.
