Skin tags are small fleshy soft growths that hang out from the skin. They are essentially like polyps or benign tumors but they are not a medical concern. For most people, however, they are a cosmetic concern. Here we’ll take a look at some methods for removing skin tags at home.
Are You Wondering If It’s Possible To Remove Skin Tags At Home?
Although skin tags are not a medical issue to be concerned with they are, for most people, unsightly. For this reason, the average person would want to remove them if it is possible. On the other hand, they may not want to go into the doctor or to pay for the cost of having them surgically removed, etc. That is why many people ask themselves the question and wonder if it’s possible to remove skin tags at home.
Most skin tags are located on parts of the body where it is definitely possible to use methods at home for their removal. Some, however, that are located in delicate areas such as the eyelids, may require special attention. If you have them around any delicate areas then you may want to consult with a healthcare professional before attempting to remove them.
If you have them in any of the other areas such as the arms are armpits, the neck, underneath the breast, or around the groin area, then it’s quite possible you can remove them yourself at home. The main thing is that you use methods that are safe and that will not be painful. It’s also helpful if you understand the signs and symptoms of skin tags as well as their causes and any risk factors associated with them.
What Are Some Of The Common Symptoms And Signs For Skin Tags?
The average skin tag is about ¾ of an inch to 1 inch but larger ones can be up to 2 inches. They are very often found on the arms and around the armpits and under the breasts. They also are very common on the neck area and around the groin. In many of those areas they are typically covered up by clothes but when they appear on the eyelids or around the eyes then they are often considered a cosmetic nuisance.
What Are The Risk Factors That Lead To Skin Tags?
Some reports suggest that women are more at risk for skin tags than men but other reports suggest that the development of this condition is fairly even across both genders. What is clear is that this is a condition that happens most often for those that are middle-aged and particularly with those who are overweight or obese. As someone ages, this is one of the most common conditions related to the skin and aging.
Something that is believed to increase the likelihood of developing skin tags is when the skin regularly rubs against jewelry or clothing. Since this happens with those that are overweight more than it does with someone who is an appropriate weight, it is believed that these two factors work together in the increased likelihood of developing this condition. Skin tags also tend to run in families and therefore risk factors can be genetically passed from one family member to another.
What Are The Most Common Conventional Treatments for This Condition?
The most traditional way of taking care of skin tags is by having a physician perform an in-office type of surgery to remove them. The doctor will use a scalpel to cut them off. A very basic anesthetic is applied topically and is used to make it a painless procedure. It’s quick and it can be done right in the doctor’s office.
Cryotherapy is a method where nitrogen is used to freeze off the skin tags. It is possible to do this method at home as well with a home kit but when it is done at the doctor’s office then the doctor is able to very carefully apply it and they get fairly immediate results. It is recommended to use this particular method when the skin tags are located around areas of the body where there is minimal hair.
A newer method is to use a laser to remove the skin tags. This is something that is used at spas and clinics. This procedure is considered to be largely safe and only mild anesthesia is applied topically to eliminate pain.
How To Remove Skin Tags At Home With Natural Treatments
It is important to understand that skin tags are attached to your body and have a supply of blood going to them. If you try to cut them off at home it can cause bleeding, pain, and it can result in scars. For this reason, you definitely want to be careful when using any type of methods for removing skin tags at home. It’s also possible under a worst-case scenario that cutting skin tags at home could result in infections.
It is, however, very possible to remove skin tags at home using natural treatments. The main thing is that you’re working with this condition in locations that are less sensitive. So if you have some skin tags that are around your underarms or just under your breasts then these can often be treated with home remedies. If you have some on your eyelids or around your eyes or other sensitive areas of your body then you may want to consult with a healthcare professional before trying to remove them on your own.
Iodine
Applying some iodine on the skin tags can break down its cells. When using this method it will be very important for you to avoid getting the iodine on healthy skin. The reason is that it will also break down the cells of healthy skin. One way to counteract this possibility is to put on some coconut oil around the skin that you don’t want to get the iodine on. Using a cotton swab dipped in the iodine you then apply it to the skin tag. This should be done a couple of times a day until the skin tag simply falls off.
Vitamin E
This is something that has been used for quite some time and is good for building healthy skin. Try to find as good a quality of this oil as you can find and then apply it liberally to the skin tag. You will then cover the tag with some plastic wrap and then put a bandage over that. The oil will work on the skin tag during the night. Repeating this over a week or two will typically result in the skin tag falling away.
Baking Soda And Castor Oil
These two products have been used for generations for many different types of home remedies. When used together they can be an effective tool for removing skin tags at home. To use this remedy, you will need to mix one part baking soda together with two parts of castor oil. You will then apply that to the skin tag. Cover the tag with plastic wrap and then place a bandage over that to secure it to the body. Each morning you rinse the area off and then repeat the process each night until the tag falls off.
Oil Of Oregano
This is part of the mint family and can help fight fungal and bacterial infections and it improves skin issues. You will need to mix this oil with a carrier oil to make it safe to apply to your skin. You can use a couple of drops of coconut oil together with three or four drops of oregano oil and put that on the skin tag two to three times per day. Then cover the area with a bandage. If the area is irritated or has broken skin you should not use this remedy.
Home Prevention Methods
Once you have successfully removed your skin tags using these home methods you will want to begin to actively prevent their reoccurrence. One of the best things that you can do is to lose weight if you are overweight or obese. A healthy diet also helps considerably. Consuming more protein and healthy fats will be helpful. Reducing the amount of sugar that you consume as well as processed carbohydrates will also be helpful in the prevention of developing more skin tags.
Because this condition is associated closely with those who have insulin resistance and diabetes, eating a diet that helps control blood sugar and reduce insulin spikes is helpful. Reducing the amount of food such as breads, pasta, cakes, and other processed and junk food will reduce blood sugar levels. This, in turn, can greatly help to prevent recurring skin tags.
Some Precautions
If you notice that moles develop or the skin tags become discolored then you should seek the advice of a healthcare professional. It is very unusual that skin tags would result in any type of cancerous growth but it is better to be safe by checking with the physician if you notice anything unusual. Once you get the skin tags removed using the methods found above and you began eating healthier and get your weight in check, then you’ll likely find that you can prevent much of the re-occurrence that might otherwise happen.