Skin tags are common growths on the skin that are completely safe. They are easy to spot because they have a thin stalk that sticks out from the skin. They comprise many different parts, like fatty tissue, collagen fibres, and sometimes nerve cells and small blood vessels. It's likely that these collagen fibres and blood vessels get tangled up inside a layer of skin, which causes a skin tag to form. A skin tag is also called a soft fibroma, a fibroepithelial polyp, or an acrochordon by doctors. Skin tags are also called soft fibromas and fibroepithelial polyps. Read further to learn more about skin tag removal.
Tags on the skin usually appear in places with a lot of friction, like the neck, underarms, breasts, eyelids, and other skin folds. They start as soft, pink bumps that are usually pretty small. They may stay the same size and not be noticed at all, get bigger and not hurt at all, or get bigger and hurt because of friction or pressure. No one may notice them at all. Keep reading to learn about the methods for skin tag removal and after-skin tag removal care.
Methods For Skin Tag Removal
1. Cauterization
When a skin tag is seared, the base is burned off. A doctor or nurse can do this with a needle or probe that sends out an electric current. This way of skin tag removal also seals the wound to keep it from getting infected or bleeding. It is one of the most common methods for skin tag removal.
2. Excision
Excision is when a doctor uses a sterile method to remove a skin tag through surgery. They do this with the help of a scalpel or special scissors made for surgery. These are much more precise than the scissors or clippers you might use at home. This method is usually only used for small skin tag removal. A chemical can stop bleeding after the splinter is taken out.
3. Cryosurgery
In cryosurgery, liquid nitrogen is used to freeze the skin tag. When the provider puts it on your skin, it might hurt. It takes about ten days for the tag to fall off after cryosurgery.
Homemade Skin Tag Removal Methods
Homemade Skin Tag Removal Methods
1. Tea Tree Oil
Some say you can get rid of a skin tag by putting a cotton ball soaked in tea tree oil. It is like the apple cider vinegar method. People say this method takes a few weeks to work, but there is not much proof. Tea tree oil can also cause skin allergies in some people. It is one of the safest homemade Skin tag removal methods.
2. Freezing
The chemicals in over-the-counter freezing kits make the skin tag cooler. The low temperature kills the unwanted skin tissue. But over-the-counter kits don't bring the temperature down enough to work. This skin tag removal method may take more than one use before you start seeing results. Dermatologists can use liquid nitrogen to lower the skin's temperature, which makes their freezing method better than what you can buy over the counter.
3. Toothpaste
People sometimes say that toothpaste can get rid of a skin tag. But there is no proof for these claims. There is no scientific proof that the method works. It is one of the most popular homemade skin tag removal methods.
4. Skin Tag Patch
You might find skin tag patches at your local pharmacy that you can buy without a prescription. Most look like round stickers. A patch is put on your skin tag. After a certain time, you take it off, and the skin tag should come off. There isn't enough proof, though, that this method works. It can also make your skin feel bad.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar
Some say skin tag removal is possible by putting apple cider vinegar on a cotton ball and putting it on the skin with a small bandage. People say that using apple cider vinegar to get rid of a skin tag can take up to two weeks, but there is not much scientific evidence.
6. Skin Tag Removal Tags
Some say that you can get rid of a skin tag by putting apple cider vinegar on a cotton ball and putting it on the skin with a small bandage. People say that using apple cider vinegar to get rid of a skin tag can take up to two weeks, but there isn't much scientific evidence that it works.
After Skin Tag Removal Care
Depending on the skin tag removal method, your skin will need different kinds of care afterwards. You may be asked to keep the place clean and dry. If so, wash it softly once or twice a day and pat it dry. If the skin tag was removed by surgery, you might be told to wear a bandage over the area for a few days. Some wounds should not be treated, and you may be told to do so. Your doctor might also suggest that you use an antibiotic ointment.
For bigger wounds, stitches may be needed. Learn how to take care of your wounds and stitches from your doctor. Most of the time, you should keep the area clean and covered for the first 24 to 48 hours after removing something. If a skin tag rubs against clothing, you may need to put a bandage on the area after cryosurgery or cauterization.
Takeaway
Skin tags are usually harmless and do not need to be removed. However, if they bother you, you might want to remove them. Removing a skin tag at home has risks, including bleeding, infection, and scarring. Having a professional do it can minimize the risks and ensure that the growth is not a more serious problem such as skin cancer. A dermatologist can safely remove a skin tag with a scalpel, scissors, cauterization, or cryosurgery.
