Get Rid of Skin Tags

Skin tags, medically known as acrochordons, are soft, skin colored flaps of skin that extend out from various parts on your body. They generally do not cause pain unless rubbed frequently or twisted, and are not a medical threat. Most doctors advise to leave skin tags alone unless you are intent on removing them. If you would like to remove your skin tags, you can visit your doctor’s office to discuss your options. You can also apply natural oils or mixtures to your tag in the hopes of drying it out until it eventually falls off. If you have a growth that is too firm to wiggle, is a different color than your surrounding skin, has raw or bleeding areas, or causes you pain, consult with your doctor immediately to determine if the growth is more critical than a skin tag.

Steps

Receiving Professional Medical Treatment for Removal

1. Make a dermatologist appointment. The majority of skin tags are harmless, but it is best to talk with a dermatologist if you notice that the tag is darker than your skin color, large in size, or unusual in shape. If you remove the tag without consulting a professional you could lose valuable time in the event that it is a sign of a larger problem.
   • Skin tags should not drastically change color. If this happens, talk to a dermatologist as well. They will most likely remove the tag and send it for testing if it is suspicious.
2. Have your doctor cut off your skin tag. Your doctor will numb the skin with a cream and use a scalpel to cut the tag away from the base of your skin. They may also snip the tag off using a sharp pair of medical scissors. This procedure, also called excision, is generally a fairly quick and painless procedure.
3. Ask your doctor to freeze your skin tag. During an office visit your doctor will use a probe to apply a small amount of liquid nitrogen to the site of your skin tag. This method, called cryosurgery, is also used to remove warts. The tag will fall off once it is frozen.
4. Have your doctor burn your tag off. With this method, called cauterization, your doctor will use a small probe to apply a heat source directly to the surface of the skin tag. The heat provided by the electrical current will burn off the tag resulting in an easy and quick removal.
5. Let the doctor cut off your tag's blood supply. With this method, called ligation, your doctor will apply a small band to the base of the tag. This will cut off the blood supply to the upper portion of the tag and cause it to die and fall off your skin. The process can take up to a few days and, depending on the size and location of the tag, may be a bit more painful.
6. Recognize the benefits of professional medical care. It is very tempting to treat skin tags at home, but your doctor’s care offers some unique benefits. They will use sterile instruments to prevent infection. They will also rub on numbing cream to reduce your pain during and after the procedure. In addition, some of the methods, such as cauterization, are so advanced that they rarely leave a noticeable scar.
   • Since skin tags have a strong and constant blood supply, they are not considered safe to try and remove without medical supervision.
   • Depending on the location of the tag, it may require the care of a specialist. Tags by the eyes, for example, are often treated by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).
7. Allow it to go untreated. You can always leave a skin tag alone. If it doesn’t bother you then there is no medical reason why you have to have it removed. It is highly likely that your doctor will recommend no treatment unless you feel strongly the other way.
   • Insurance companies also often consider skin tag removal procedures to be cosmetic and not necessary. Make sure to check with your insurance to see if any removals will be covered.

Using Natural Oils and Homemade Mixtures for Removal

1. Apply oregano oil. Oregano oil is thought to have antiseptic and antispasmodic properties. Apply five to six drops of oregano oil directly to a clean cotton swab into and apply it on your skin tag three times a day. You should see the tag gradually dry up. This process usually takes about a month.
   • After apply oregano oil for the first time, tie off the skin tag at the base using silk thread or dental floss. Leave the thread there until the tag falls off.
   • Once the tag falls off, rinse the area with warm water, apply an antibacterial ointment, and secure with a bandage until it is fully healed.
   • Be careful when applying natural oils, such as oregano, as they can irritate your skin. If your skin appears red, immediately discontinue using the oil. You should also avoid treating the area around your eyes.
2. Apply tea tree oil. This oil is well known for its anti-fungal properties. Get out a clean cotton ball. Dip it into clean water and then place three drops of tea tree oil onto the ball. Wash the area of the skin tag and the skin 1” around it using the cotton ball. Repeat three times a day. This is an effective way to dry up your tag as long as you are consistent with oil applications.
   • Make sure to include the water as it lessens the possibility of the oil irritating your skin, including your fingers. You can also dilute tea tree oil by mixing it with olive oil.
   • Some people also recommend placing a band-aid over the treatment area until the skin tag falls off due to dryness.
   • Be careful treating the area around your eyes as the oil can cause irritation.
3. Rub on aloe vera. You can either snip off a piece of an aloe vera plant or squeeze it to get the gel or you can purchase a bottle of aloe vera gel at a store. Get a cotton swab and dip it in the gel. Wipe it on your tag as often as you like. This method relies on the natural curative properties of aloe vera and its effectiveness is hit or miss.
4. Use a castor oil paste. In a small bowl mix castor oil and baking soda until it reaches a thicker consistency. Get a cotton swab, dip in the paste, and apply it to your tag. Apply as often as desired although watch for skin irritation. The effectiveness of this method is widely acknowledged among natural remedy practitioners.
5. Put on a garlic paste. Get a fresh garlic clove and grind it into a paste in a small bowl. Take a cotton swab, dip it in the paste, and place a small amount on top of your skin tag. Cover the tag with a bandage. You can do this once a day.
   • Another method is to take a garlic clove and slice it into “discs.” Then, select one disc and place it on top of your skin tag. Secure it with a band-aid. Follow this process in the morning and remove the disc and bandage in the evening. Your skin tag should fall off within the week.
6. Treat with apple cider vinegar. Get a cotton ball and soak it in apple cider vinegar until it is totally saturated. Place the cotton ball on your skin tag and hold for a few minutes. You can move the ball in a circular motion on the skin to increase absorption if you like. Repeat this process three times per day until your skin tag falls off. This method is usually quite effective.
   • It is typical to experience some itching when treating your skin with vinegar. If it gets too annoying, dilute the vinegar a bit with water before the next application.

Using Extracted Juices for Removal

1. Apply dandelion stem juice. Get a fresh dandelion and squeeze the stem from the bottom to the top until the juice begins to come out. Gather this juice on a cotton swab and place the swab on your skin tag. Repeat this process up to four times a day. The juice may dry the tag until it falls off.
   • Choose another removal method if you are allergic to plants such as dandelions.
2. Apply lemon juice. Lemons are highly acidic and that makes them excellent for antiseptic use. Squeeze fresh lemon juice into a bowl. Dip a cotton ball into the bowl. Place the ball onto the skin tag. Repeat up to three times a day. This method is effective only after numerous applications.
3. Apply fig stem juice. Get a handful of fresh figs and remove the stems. Grind the stems together in a small bowl to produce juice. Dip a cotton ball into this juice and apply it to your skin tag. You can apply this juice up to four times a day. The skin tag may drop off by four weeks.
   • Aside from anecdotal evidence the effectiveness of this method is difficult to gauge.
4. Apply pineapple juice. Purchase a can of pineapple juice at the store or cut up a fresh pineapple and squeeze out the juice. Dip a cotton ball into the juice and apply it to your skin tag. You can apply this up to three times per day. In a week or so you may notice your skin tag starting to dissolve away.
   • The effectiveness of this method depends on how your skin reacts to the acidic pineapple juice.

Experimenting with Alternative Methods for Removal

1. Cover it with nail polish. Get a clear coat nail polish. Apply a single coat of polish to your skin tag at least twice a day. Make sure that the entire tag is coated each time. Over time your tag may start to break away from the skin.
2. Dry it out with duct tape. Cut out a small square of duct tape around 1” in diameter. Place this square right on top of your skin tag. Leaving the tape on may gradually dry the tag out until it falls off. You can replace with fresh tape each day. This method supposedly works within 10 days.
3. Tie it off. You can use fishing line, dental floss, or a thin cotton string in this method. Tie the string around the base of your skin tag. Tighten the tie until it is firm, but not painful. Snip off the excess and leave the string in place. Your skin tag should fall off due to lack of circulation. This is a version of what doctors can perform in their office using sterile tools.
   • Don’t be surprised if your skin tag changes colors with this method. That is normal and reflects the lack of blood supply.
   • Be careful when using this method. Make sure to only cut off the blood supply to the skin tag itself, not the skin around it. If you experience any pain, stop this method and consult with your doctor.
   • Most doctors do not recommend attempting this method unsupervised as it may lead to additional complications.
4. Don't cut it off at home. Removing a skin tag in this way can expose you to the possibility of a serious infection. Bleeding can pose a problem as well. Even small skin tags can bleed quite a bit requiring professional medical attention. You can also scar and leave the exposed skin discolored.
5. Experiment with over-the-counter treatments. There are a variety of OTC medicines that claim to remove skin tags with only one or two applications. Dr. Scholl’s Freeze Away, while indicated for use on warts, may encourage the skin tag to fall away by applying cold directly to the tag.
   • Make sure you follow the box directions carefully as you can potentially damage the skin around the tag perhaps even causing scarring and discoloration.

Tips

• Skin tags are also known by their medical names including cutaneous papilloma, cutaneous tag, and Templeton skin tags.
• Sometimes a wart can look like a skin tag and vice versa. To differentiate the two, notice that a skin tag has a smoother surface, hangs away from the primary skin, and is not contagious.
• Interestingly enough, dogs can also get skin tags. Check with your veterinarian before moving forward with home treatments.

Warnings

• Be careful to wash your hands with soap and warm water before touching or treating your skin tag. If you try a home remedy, be aware that you could risk infection.

Related Articles

• Remove a Skin Tag from Your Neck
• Get a Skin Tag Removed by a Doctor
• Fix the Skin Around Your Nails

Sources and Citations

_Methods_

See also

• Heal Acne Scabs
• Heal Eczema Fast
• Prepare for a Biopsy
• Quickly Heal Open Sores on Your Face
• Avoid Getting Chicken Pox While Helping an Infected Person
• Prevent Chickenpox
• Remove Moles Without Surgery
• Treat a Yeast Infection
• Treat Keratosis Pilaris
• Get Rid of Keloids

Read more ...

What links here

• Get Rid of Neck Fat