Skin tags are small growths that hang off your skin. They're common and harmless, but can be removed if they're bothering you. Skin tags are small, soft, skin-coloured growths on your skin. They can vary in colour and size – from a few millimetres up to 5cm wide. Skin tags are usually found on the neck, armpits, around the groin, or under the breasts. They can also grow on the eyelids or under the folds of the buttocks. They can look like warts, but skin tags are usually: Skin tags do not usually cause any pain or discomfort. Skin tags are made of loose collagen fibres and blood vessels surrounded by skin. Collagen is a type of protein found throughout the body. Both men and women can develop skin tags. They tend to occur in older people and people who are obese or have type 2 diabetes. Pregnant women may also be more likely to develop skin tags as a result of changes in their hormone levels. Some people develop them for no apparent reason. Skin tags tend to grow in the skin folds, where the skin rubs against itself, such as on the neck, armpits or groin. This is why they tend to affect overweight people who have excess folds of skin and skin chafing. Skin tags are harmless and do not usually cause pain or discomfort. However, you may consider having skin tags removed if they're affecting your self esteem, or if they snag on clothing or jewellery and bleed. You'll usually need to pay to have this done privately. This is because skin tag removal is regarded as cosmetic surgery, which is rarely available through the NHS. Cosmetic surgery is usually only available on the NHS if the problem is affecting your physical or mental health. Sometimes, skin tags fall off on their own if the tissue has twisted and died from a lack of blood supply. Do not try to remove a skin tag without speaking to a GP first. If you have a skin tag that's causing problems, consider making an appointment with a privately practising GP to have it removed. Skin tags can easily be burnt or frozen off in a similar way to how warts are removed. They can also be surgically removed, sometimes using local anaesthetic. Freezing or burning skin tags can cause irritation and temporary skin discoloration, and the skin tag may not fall off and further treatment may be needed. Surgical removal has the advantage of removing the skin tag completely, but there is a risk of minor bleeding. If your skin tag is small with a narrow base, your GP may suggest that you try to remove it yourself. For example, they may suggest tying off the base of the skin tag with dental floss or cotton to cut off its blood supply and make it drop off (ligation). Never attempt to remove large skin tags yourself because they'll bleed heavily.
Page last reviewed: 20 November 2019
Next review due: 20 November 2022
Apr 30, 2018 12:00 AM
Author: Libby Mitchell
Skin tags. Even the name sounds creepy. A tag of skin? Why would something like that even exist? IN reality though, skin tags are extremely common, and usually harmless. “They are an outgrowth of normal skin,” said Allyson Sorensen, PA-C, a physician assistant at University of Utah Health's Dermatology Services.
Skin tags can happen on any part of the body but are most commonly found on the neck, under arms, under the breasts and in the groin area. Why these areas? “It is thought that they are related to chronic friction, which is why they are more common in overweight or obese persons,” said Sorensen. “Higher levels of growth factors (like during pregnancy), insulin resistance (more common in people with diabetes) and possibly a genetic component also could all play a part as well.”
While the presence of skin tags can be unsightly and annoying there really aren’t that many reasons to remove them. If they are in locations where they get stuck in clothing or zippers you may want to have them taken off to avoid pain and bleeding. You may also want to have skin tags near the eyes removed. “Some skin tags can become very large and cause problems with vision,” said Sorensen.
If you decide you want to get rid of your skin tags you can either have a medical provider do it or, in the case of small tags, do it yourself with a minimum of pain or bleeding. “If skin tags are small, you can remove them with sharp clean scissors, like cuticle scissors,” said Sorensen. “Or you can tie floss or thin thread at the base of the skin tag and leave it in place until the skin tag falls off.”
In the case of larger tags it is best to have them removed at a medical office. There the providers can administer local anesthesia and control bleeding. In some cases the provider may be able to avoid bleeding altogether by freezing the tags off.
Skin tags are not likely to grow back after they are removed, though others may grow in the same area. For the most part they are harmless and won’t cause any problems other than their appearance. However, as with all skin growths if you notice a change in size or color it’s a good idea to see a medical provider.
Medically reviewed by Sara Perkins, MD — Written by Dana Robinson — Updated on November 22, 2020
- Home remedies
- Medical treatments
- When to see a doctor
- Takeaway
Skin tags are common, harmless growths. Some of the many home removal techniques are more effective than others. Doctors often warn against their use, however.
Almost half of all adults have skin tags. They cause no medical complications, but they can be bothersome.
While skin tags require no treatment and may fall away on their own, a doctor may recommend a simple medical procedure to remove any that catch on clothing or cause pain.
People may also want to remove skin tags for cosmetic reasons, especially when they are on visible areas, such as the face.
In this article, Medical News Today spoke with skin expert Kemunto Mokaya, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist, to learn about the safest and most effective ways to remove skin tags at home.
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Some techniques for removing skin tags at home are more effective and safe than others. There are also plenty of products on the market for this purpose.
Check with a doctor before trying any of the following:
Skin tag removal bands and patches
A skin tag removal band cuts off the supply of blood to the base of the skin tag. Without a supply of blood, the cells die, and the tag falls away. This process is known as ligation.
Removal patches contain medications. If a person leaves a patch on a tag for several days or weeks, the tag may come off.
However, Dr. Mokaya says: “I’m honestly not a fan of over-the-counter skin tag removal devices, and especially removal patches. They are not regulated by the [Food and Drug Administration (FDA)]. Many simply don’t work.”
Instead, she strongly recommends having skin tags removed in a medical setting.
Removal creams
These creams can be effective in some cases. Dr. Mokaya recommends avoiding products that contain salicylic acid and tea tree oil because these ingredients can irritate the skin or cause contact dermatitis.
The instructions for using some of these creams recommend cleaning the skin with an alcohol wipe and filing down the tag before applying the cream to ensure that the skin fully absorbs it.
According to the labeling on some of these products, the skin tag should fall off within 2–3 weeks.
Freezing kits
In a clinical setting, healthcare professionals use liquid nitrogen to destroy unwanted skin tissue. This is known as cryotherapy.
Cryotherapy may involve temperatures of −320.8°F (-195°C), says Dr. Mokaya. Benign lesions such as skin tags require temperatures of −4°F to −58°F.
Dr. Mokaya recommends doing research and selecting the over-the-counter kit that can reach the lowest temperature when used appropriately.
As always, follow the instructions. People may need to apply the product several times before the growth falls away.
When using home freezing kits, avoid letting the spray touch the surrounding skin. Applying petroleum jelly to the area around the tag beforehand can help protect the skin.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is an essential oil that may help treat several skin conditions. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it may help get rid of skin tags.
People who try it apply a few drops of the oil to a cotton ball, which they affix to the skin tag with a bandage. They leave the cotton ball on the skin tag for 10 minutes, three times a day. It may take several days or weeks for the tag to fall off.
However, a person should exercise caution, as tea tree oil can irritate sensitive skin. Do not use this oil on tags in the eye area.
Apple cider vinegar
Little research has looked into whether apple cider vinegar can remove skin tags.
People who try this often soak a cotton ball in the vinegar and affix it to the tag with a bandage for 10 minutes, two or three times a day, until the tag falls away.
However, watch for skin irritation and stop using it if any signs of a reaction occur. Apple cider vinegar is very acidic and can cause chemical burns. Do not use it near the eyes.
Iodine
Anecdotal reports suggest that people can use liquid iodine to remove skin tags. There is little scientific evidence of this, however.
Anyone who wants to try should first protect the skin surrounding the tag by applying petroleum jelly or coconut oil to it. Next, soak a Q-tip in iodine and spread the liquid across the tag. Cover the area with a bandage until the iodine has dried.
Repeat this treatment twice a day until the tag drops off.
Cutting or clipping
It can be tempting to cut or clip off a skin tag with a sharp blade, nail clippers, or scissors. Only do this with the approval of a healthcare professional, and cleanse the skin and the tool thoroughly to prevent infection.
While this provides the immediate gratification of removal, it is painful, says Dr. Mokaya. People who use blood thinners or have bleeding disorders should avoid this method, she adds.
Also, do not cut or clip off medium or large tags — doing so can cause bleeding. Tags usually measure anywhere from a few millimeters to 2 inches in width.
In addition, do not try this method on tags around the eyes or genitals.
The American Academy of Dermatology caution that trying to remove a mole or skin tag at home can cause a deep-seated infection. Also, it can be easy to inadvertently nick a blood vessel or vein, leading to significant bleeding.
Do not try home removal techniques on skin tags that are:
- located around the eyes
- located around the genitals
- very large or long
- causing pain, bleeding, or itching
Seek medical treatment in these cases. The following are medical methods of skin tag removal:
- Cauterization: This involves burning off the skin tag. Most tags drop away after a couple of treatments.
- Cryotherapy: This involves applying liquid nitrogen to freeze off the tag. Usually, one or two treatments are sufficient.
- Ligation: This involves a healthcare provider tying surgical thread around the tag to reduce blood flow, causing it to eventually drop off.
- Excision: This involves using a blade to cut off the tag.
Skin tag removal is usually considered cosmetic, and it is unlikely to be covered by health insurance.
Health experts advise people to contact a dermatologist before attempting to remove any skin tag.
It is safest for an experienced professional to remove a tag in a medical setting — especially if the tag is large, painful, or located in a sensitive area.
Seek prompt medical attention if a skin tag or mole changes. In some cases, this can indicate skin cancer.
Skin tags are not typically a cause for medical concern. Once a doctor confirms that the growth is benign, no further action is usually necessary.
For small tags that are not located in sensitive areas, a person may consider a home removal technique. However, it is safest to see a healthcare provider for removal in a medical setting.
Also, contact a doctor if any skin tag changes or starts causing issues, such as pain or bleeding.
Last medically reviewed on November 21, 2020
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