If you go that route, don’t count on getting the results you want there’s little evidence that these approaches actually work. Home remedies such as apple cider vinegar or tea tree oil are popular, at least on the internet. “However, it’s often painful and takes a long time when it does work, and occasionally, we’ve seen people try to tie off something inappropriate or that is too big and it leads to an infection or skin irritation.” Ted Schiff, chief medical officer and founder of Water’s Edge Dermatology. “At times, this can be done successfully with smaller skin tags and most people won’t have a problem,” said Dr. This might work, but you could end up with a bad smell from rotting of the skin tag, not to mention an infection. Some people tie off skin tags using an over-the-counter ligation device, dental floss or something else, and then wait for it to fall off. (You’d be surprised at how much a large skin tag can bleed if not cauterized or frozen by a professional.) It can also hurt - a lot. It could lead to bleeding, infection or irritationĬutting off a skin tag with scissors yourself can lead to infection or uncontrollable bleeding, which may require a trip to the ER. If the dermatologist suspects an underlying condition, he or she may send the removed skin tag to a lab for further examination. If you remove a growth that’s actually a skin cancer, you can end up leaving behind cancer cells, which can multiply and spread.Īdditionally, sometimes a skin tag can be a sign of an endocrine or hormonal syndrome such as acromegaly or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). That’s why it’s important to have a dermatologist examine a growth before you decide to remove it.
In rare cases, a growth you think is a skin tag may be something else entirely, including a wart or a skin cancer such as melanoma. Here’s why it pays to leave skin tag removal to the professionals. Even using an over-the-counter product to remove skin tags is not ideal. Some people try to remove skin tags at home using scissors or nail clippers, but those efforts can go wrong very quickly. Why you shouldn’t remove a skin tag at home This simultaneously removes the skin tag and seals the wound to prevent infection and bleeding. With cauterization, aka electrocautery, the skin tag is burned off at the base using an electric current. The liquid nitrogen may cause a brief burning sensation. Cryotherapy (freezing)Ĭryotherapy involves freezing the skin tag with liquid nitrogen, which causes it to fall off, usually within about 10 days. The provider might apply a chemical compound prior to removal to decrease bleeding. Note: These scissors are much sharper than the scissors or nail clippers you have at home - and again, they are sterile, which is very important. Small skin tags that have a stalk or stem, known as pedunculated skin tags, may be removed using a scalpel or sterile surgical blade scissors. If you have a larger skin tag or multiple skin tags, the doctor may apply a topical anesthetic before proceeding. You might experience some brief discomfort. Small skin tags can often be removed without the use of an anesthetic. (Skin tags sometimes fall off on their own, but most don’t.)ĭermatologists typically use one of three methods to remove skin tags, depending on the size and location of the growth. There is no medical reason skin tags need to be removed, but if you find them bothersome or unsightly, a dermatologist can get the job done. It’s possible that insulin resistance might also increase the risk. Some people may have a genetic predisposition to develop skin tags. Friction - from skin rubbing against skin or clothing rubbing against skin - is one possible trigger. No one knows exactly why skin tags form, but they’re more common with age, obesity and pregnancy. Common sites include the eyelids, neck, armpits, groin area and under the breasts.
Skin tags can appear almost anywhere, but they tend to grow in skin folds. Sometimes they stay that way, but often they begin to slowly protrude from the skin. They are usually flesh colored but may be darker. Skin tags, technically called acrochordons, are benign skin growths made of collagen fibers, nerve cells, fat cells and a covering of skin. (And above all, don’t reach for the scissors, nail clippers or a piece of string!) What is a skin tag? In that case, head for the dermatologist, not the drugstore. And, let’s face it, if you have a skin tag that’s sitting in plain view, you may get tired of looking at it. They’re harmless, but sometimes annoying as they may rub against clothing or get snagged by jewelry. Skin tags are those soft, fleshy growths that protrude from the skin and sometimes hang off it.
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