How to Remove Skin Tags?

Skin tags are non-cancerous, painless growths on the skin.

    What are skin tags?

    Skin tags are non-cancerous, painless growths on the skin. A short, slender stalk called a peduncle connects them to the skin. Skin tags are very common in both men and women after the age of 50. 

    They can appear anywhere on your body, but they're more common in areas where your skin folds, like the:

    1. Armpits
    2. Groin
    3. Thighs
    4. Eyelids
    5. Neck
    6. Dark circles

    How to remove skin tags?

    Skin tags that are too small to see may fall out on their own. However, The majority of skin tags remain adhered to the skin. Skin tags, in general, do not require treatment. You can have skin tags removed if they hurt or disturb you.

    The skin tags may be removed by your doctor using the following methods:

    1. Cryotherapy involves using liquid nitrogen to freeze the skin tag.
    2. Surgical removal: using scissors or a scalpel to remove the skin tag.
      1. Electrosurgery is the process of removing a skin tag using high-frequency electrical energy.
      2. Ligation is the process of removing a skin tag by tying it off with surgical thread.

        The removal of tiny skin tags normally does not necessitate anesthesia. When removing big or many skin tags, your doctor may use a local anesthetic. To get rid of skin tags, you can also use natural therapies. Tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar, and lemon juice are examples of these. Keep in mind that these therapies are backed up by no scientific data. Attempting to remove skin tags on your own is not a smart idea. 

        Many websites provide DIY skin tag removal procedures, such as tying them off with rope or using a chemical peel. Removing skin tags, even in a sterile atmosphere, can result in bleeding, burns, and infection. It's advisable to delegate the task to your doctor.

        What causes skin tags?

        It is not clear exactly what causes skin tags, but it may happen when clusters of collagen and blood vessels become trapped inside thicker pieces of skin. As they are more common in skin creases or folds, they may be mainly caused by skin rubbing against the skin. 

        Some people appear to inherit an increased susceptibility to skin tags. Skin tags affect people both males and females, but they happen more often during pregnancy, in people who are obese, and in people with diabetes. They have been associated with hyperinsulinemia when there is too much insulin circulating in the blood. They've been linked to hyperinsulinemia, which occurs when the blood contains too much insulin.

        Difference between warts and skin tags

        Skin tags, also known as acrochordons, are small, soft, flesh-colored, or slightly darker benign growths that typically occur in areas where the skin rubs against skin or clothing. They are more common in people who are overweight or have diabetes. Skin tags do not usually cause any symptoms and are harmless.

        Conversely, warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and are contagious. They can occur anywhere on the body but are most commonly found on the hands, feet, and genital area. Warts can be flat or raised, and have a rough, cauliflower-like surface. Warts can be painful, itchy, or bleed if scratched.

        Home remedies for skin tags

        1. Tea tree oil: 

        Tea tree oil is safe to use on the skin because it has antiviral and antifungal effects. Wash the affected area first. Then gently rub the oil over the skin tag with a Q-tip or cotton swab. Overnight, cover the area with a bandage. Rep this procedure for a few nights till the tag dries out and slips out.

        2. Banana peel: 

        Don't throw out old banana peels, especially if they have a skin tag. A banana peel can also be used to help dry out a skin tag. Cover the tag with a piece of banana peel and secure it with a bandage. Repeat every night until the tag falls off.

        3. Apple cider vinegar: 

        After soaking a cotton swab in apple cider vinegar, apply it over the skin tag. Wrap the affected area with a bandage for 15 to 30 minutes before washing it. Repeat every day for a few weeks.

        4. Vitamin E: 

        Skin tags may be caused by ageing. Because vitamin E is an antioxidant that fights wrinkles and keeps the skin healthy, putting liquid vitamin E on a skin tag could make it disappear in a few days. Simply massage the tag and surrounding skin with the oil until it falls off.

        5. Garlic

          Garlic reduces inflammation, which helps to improve the appearance of the skin. Apply crushed garlic to a skin tag and cover the area with a bandage overnight to get rid of it naturally. In the morning, wash the area. Rep till the skin tag has shrunk and vanished.

          How to remove skin tags in one night?

          It's not possible to remove skin tags in one night. Most methods for removing skin tags take several days or weeks to work, and it's important to follow safe and appropriate procedures to avoid causing harm or scarring to the skin. Here are a few methods for removing skin tags. However, you can follow the tips and remedies mentioned above and can opt for cosmetic surgery to get rid of those tags.

          Take Away

          Skin tags are normally innocuous, so there's no need to cure them unless they irritate you. Although home cures and over-the-counter medications are effective and inexpensive, if a skin tag does not respond to home therapy, bleeds, or continues to spread, visit your doctor. A skin tag can be successfully removed with minimal discomfort and scarring using a variety of methods.

          FAQs

          Do skin tags fall off their own?

          Yes, skin tags do fall off their own over a period of time, it can be a few weeks, months and some a couple of years.

          What happens if you pick off skin tags?

          It is not suggestable to pick off skin tags because it can lead to bleeding, itching, irritation, and sometimes infections too.

          What causes skin tags to suddenly appear?

          As mentioned above, skin tags are developed when extra cells grow on the top layers of the skin.

          References

          All you need to know about skin tags. By Medical News Today, Jul 26, 2017.

          Everything to know about skin tag removal. By Healthline, Jan 27, 2022.

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