The skin often develops common, non-harmful growths like moles, known medically as nevi, and skin tags, called acrochordons. While usually benign, these growths can be a source of cosmetic concern or physical irritation, leading many people to search for ways to remove them at home. This article will explore the differences between these skin growths and the various methods people attempt for their removal.
Moles and Skin Tags: Defining the Differences
The distinction between a mole and a skin tag is rooted in their cellular composition and structure. Moles are pigmented spots that form when melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing skin color, cluster together in a small area. Moles can be flat or slightly raised, typically appear round or oval, and exhibit a uniform shade of brown or black. These growths have a deeper root structure within the skin layers.
Skin tags, in contrast, are soft, small, flesh-colored, or slightly darker growths composed of loose collagen fibers and blood vessels surrounded by skin. They are typically attached to the body by a thin stalk, a feature known as pedunculated. Skin tags are commonly found in areas where skin rubs against skin or clothing, such as the neck, armpits, and groin. A mole’s potential to become malignant (melanoma) is the single most important difference, while skin tags are universally benign.
Natural Methods for Skin Tag Removal
Because skin tags are benign and superficial, many people feel comfortable trying removal methods that rely on either chemical irritation or physical ligation.
One widely adopted technique involves the application of apple cider vinegar (ACV), which is believed to work due to its mild acidity. Soaking a cotton ball in diluted ACV and securing it over the skin tag for 15 to 30 minutes daily is thought to break down the tissue over several weeks. The goal of this method is to cause the acrochordon to dry out and eventually fall off.
Another popular approach uses tea tree oil, an essential oil known for its drying and mild irritant properties. A drop or two of tea tree oil, often diluted with a carrier oil, is gently massaged onto the skin tag and covered with a bandage, usually overnight. Repeated daily application is intended to dehydrate the skin tag, causing it to shrivel and detach. This process can take a few weeks, and consistency is important for success.
The most direct physical method is ligation, which involves cutting off the blood supply to the skin tag. This is accomplished by tying a very thin thread, such as dental floss or fine cotton thread, tightly around the base of the stalk. By strangulating the blood flow, the oxygen and nutrients are deprived, causing the tissue to die. The skin tag will typically darken, shrivel, and fall off within a few days to a week.
The Cautions and Methods for Mole Removal
Medical professionals strongly discourage attempting to remove moles at home due to the significant risk of harm and the possibility of masking a serious condition. Moles are composed of melanocytes, and disturbing them can lead to infection, significant scarring, and incomplete removal. Incomplete removal is particularly dangerous because it can leave cancerous cells behind or alter the remaining cells, making a future diagnosis of melanoma difficult for a pathologist.
Natural methods often mentioned for mole removal, such as applying iodine or garlic paste, are highly ineffective and risky. These substances are caustic and can cause severe skin irritation, chemical burns, and permanent scarring. They fail to reach the deeper layers of the mole where the melanocytes reside, and the resulting scar can conceal subsequent cancerous changes, delaying the detection of melanoma.
The primary risk in attempting mole removal is that the growth may be an early-stage melanoma. Self-removal eliminates the opportunity for a biopsy, which is the only way to definitively determine if the growth is cancerous. This delay in diagnosis can be life-threatening, as early detection significantly improves the prognosis for melanoma. The potential for infection is also high, especially if the skin is broken with unsterilized tools, which introduces bacteria into the deeper skin layers.
When Natural Methods Fail and Medical Evaluation Is Necessary
Home removal methods, even for benign skin tags, can sometimes result in complications requiring professional medical attention. If you observe signs of infection, such as increasing redness, significant swelling, warmth, severe pain, or pus, abandon the home remedy and see a doctor. Similarly, if a skin tag does not fall off after several weeks of consistent treatment, or if the surrounding skin becomes raw or inflamed, the method should be stopped.
Any mole that naturally changes should be evaluated by a dermatologist right away. Warning signs that a mole may be cancerous include:
- Asymmetry
- A ragged or irregular border
- Color variation (multiple shades of tan, brown, black, red, white, or blue)
- A diameter larger than a pencil eraser
- Any evolving characteristic, such as itching, bleeding, or a change in height
Only a dermatologist can safely remove a growth, perform a necessary biopsy to check for malignancy, and ensure the entire lesion is cleared.