Skin tags are common, small, soft growths that often appear on the neck, armpits, groin, or eyelids. These benign lesions are flesh-colored or slightly darker and usually cause no symptoms. Individuals sometimes consider home removal, often with readily available household tools like nail clippers.
Risks of Attempting Home Removal
Using non-sterile household tools to remove skin tags carries significant risks. These tools are not sterilized to medical standards, allowing bacteria to enter the open wound, potentially leading to a localized skin infection with redness, swelling, pus, and pain. An uncontrolled infection could require antibiotic treatment or more intensive medical care.
Skin tags contain small blood vessels, and an improper cut can result in significant bleeding difficult to stop professionally. Unlike professional procedures that cauterize vessels, home methods leave the wound open, increasing blood loss and the risk of hematoma formation. Blunt or non-surgical instruments can lead to permanent, more noticeable scarring.
Attempting to cut off a skin tag at home may result in incomplete removal. This can lead to regrowth or chronic irritation and inflammation. The procedure is painful due to nerve endings, and the wound can cause prolonged discomfort during healing. A growth assumed to be a harmless skin tag could be a more serious lesion, such as basal cell carcinoma or melanoma; self-removal delays proper diagnosis and treatment of potentially malignant conditions.
Professional Skin Tag Removal Options
Healthcare professionals offer several safe and effective methods for skin tag removal in a clinic setting. One common approach is cryotherapy, where liquid nitrogen is applied to the skin tag, freezing the tissue. This causes the tag to blister and eventually fall off within one to two weeks with minimal discomfort and scarring.
Surgical excision involves a healthcare provider using a sterile scalpel or medical scissors to precisely cut the skin tag at its base. This procedure is usually performed after administering a local anesthetic to numb the area, ensuring complete removal and immediate results. The wound is typically small and heals quickly.
Another professional method is cauterization, also known as electrocautery, which involves burning off the skin tag using a heated probe or electrical current. This technique effectively removes the tag while simultaneously sealing off blood vessels, which helps to minimize bleeding during the procedure. Ligation is a less common but effective method where a surgical thread is tied tightly around the base of the skin tag, cutting off its blood supply. The tag then shrivels and falls off over several days as the tissue dies.
When to Consult a Doctor About Skin Tags
A medical evaluation is advisable if a skin tag exhibits any changes in its appearance. This includes alterations in color, such as darkening or becoming unusually red, or a sudden increase in size or a change in shape. Seeking professional advice is also important if a skin tag starts to bleed spontaneously without injury.
Consulting a healthcare provider is recommended if a skin tag becomes painful, itchy, inflamed, or causes persistent irritation due to friction from clothing or jewelry. Individuals should also see a doctor if there is any uncertainty about whether a growth is indeed a benign skin tag or if it resembles a mole, wart, or has any suspicious features that might suggest a more serious condition. A professional can accurately diagnose the growth and recommend the appropriate course of action, ensuring proper medical management.