Skin tags, medically known as acrochordons, are common, benign growths that typically appear as small flaps of soft tissue connected to the skin by a thin stalk. These lesions are made of collagen fibers and blood vessels, usually forming in skin folds where friction occurs, such as the neck, armpits, or groin. Many people choose to remove these growths for cosmetic reasons or because they become irritated by clothing or jewelry. While medical professionals offer quick removal options, many individuals first explore non-prescription, at-home methods for smaller skin tags.
Topical Home Remedies for Skin Tag Removal
Topical home remedies generally work by irritating the skin tag, causing it to dry out and eventually fall off. One popular method involves using Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV), which contains acetic acid that may chemically break down the tissue over time. To use ACV, saturate a small cotton ball with the vinegar, place it directly over the growth, and secure it with an adhesive bandage for 15 to 30 minutes twice daily. The skin tag may first darken before detaching, which often takes several weeks.
Tea Tree Oil (TTO) leverages its antiseptic properties to dry out the skin tag tissue. This concentrated essential oil must be diluted with a carrier oil, such as coconut or jojoba oil, to prevent skin irritation. After washing the affected area, apply a cotton swab dabbed with the diluted oil to the skin tag, then cover it with a bandage, often left on overnight. Repeat this process daily; the skin tag may gradually shrink and fall off after a few days or weeks.
Liquid iodine is a third topical option, believed to work by disrupting the cell structure within the skin tag. Before applying, protect the surrounding healthy skin by creating a barrier with petroleum jelly or coconut oil. Use a cotton swab to apply the iodine directly to the skin tag one or two times a day, minimizing contact with adjacent skin to avoid discoloration or irritation.
Physical Home Removal Techniques
Physical methods focus on disrupting the blood flow to the skin tag or physically excising the growth. The ligation method is used for growths with a noticeable stalk, involving cutting off the blood supply. Using sterile thread or dental floss, tie a tight knot securely around the base of the skin tag. This action “strangles” the tissue, causing it to darken, shrivel, and fall off naturally within several days to two weeks.
Some people attempt direct excision using sharp tools like nail clippers or scissors, but this approach carries a high risk of complications. Skin tags contain small blood vessels, making significant bleeding likely. Non-sterile household instruments can easily introduce bacteria, leading to serious infection. Cutting off a skin tag at home is widely discouraged by medical professionals due to the high probability of improper removal, scarring, and infection.
Essential Safety Guidelines and Warning Signs
Removing skin growths at home requires strict hygienic practices to minimize adverse outcomes. Before any procedure, thoroughly wash the area with soap and water. Sterilize any tools you intend to use, such as scissors or tweezers, by boiling them or wiping them down with rubbing alcohol.
A potential risk of at-home removal is scarring or hyperpigmentation, especially for individuals prone to keloid formation or with darker skin tones. After the skin tag falls off, keep the wound clean by washing it gently with soap and water twice daily. Applying petroleum jelly and covering the area with a non-stick bandage helps protect the healing skin and prevents a thick scab from forming.
Monitor the removal site for warning signs indicating a complication, such as infection. Seek medical attention immediately if you notice:
- Increasing pain, excessive warmth, or swelling that worsens beyond the first 48 hours.
- The presence of pus or cloudy discharge.
- Red streaks extending away from the wound.
- A fever.
Failure of the area to heal as expected after one to two weeks should also prompt a professional consultation.
When to Seek Professional Removal
While home remedies are effective for small, isolated skin tags, professional medical intervention is the safer choice in certain circumstances. Skin tags larger than a pencil eraser should always be evaluated and removed by a medical professional. Larger growths have a substantial blood supply, making home removal attempts prone to excessive bleeding and difficult-to-manage wounds.
Tags located in sensitive areas, such as on the eyelids or near the genitals, should be left to a doctor to prevent injury to surrounding delicate tissue. If the growth changes in color, size, or texture, or begins to bleed or cause pain, professional assessment is required to rule out a more serious skin lesion. Immunocompromised individuals, including those with diabetes, should also avoid at-home removal due to the elevated risk of infection and poor healing.
A doctor can remove the growth safely and quickly using several methods. Cryotherapy involves freezing the tissue with liquid nitrogen. Electrocautery uses heat from an electrical current to burn off the skin tag and simultaneously seal the wound. For larger or resistant tags, surgical excision with sterile instruments is performed, often after applying a local anesthetic.