The desire for quick and convenient removal often leads people to search for do-it-yourself methods for dealing with small, common skin growths. Among the most discussed at-home options is ligation, or the process of tying off the growth. While the concept of cutting off the blood supply seems straightforward, understanding the nature of these growths and the potential consequences of self-treatment is important before attempting any at-home procedure.
Defining the Growth
Skin tags, medically known as acrochordons, are small, benign tumors that are extremely common, affecting nearly half of all adults at some point in their lives. These soft, usually flesh-colored growths are made up of loosely arranged collagen fibers and blood vessels, covered by an outer layer of skin. They typically range in size from a single millimeter to about one centimeter.
Acrochordons often appear in areas where skin folds rub against itself or clothing, such as the neck, armpits, groin, under the breasts, and on the eyelids. They are associated with friction, genetic predisposition, and certain health factors like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hormonal changes. Any growth that is large, changing color, or irregular should be examined by a healthcare professional, as it could be a wart, mole, or a more serious lesion.
The Process of Tying Off
Ligation is a method that aims to remove a skin tag by interrupting its blood flow, a state known as ischemia. This technique involves tying a length of thread, dental floss, or a specialized band tightly around the slender stalk, or peduncle, that connects the skin tag to the body. The goal is to completely constrict the blood vessels supplying the growth.
Once the blood supply is cut off, the tissue of the skin tag is deprived of oxygen and nutrients, causing it to necrose, or die. The skin tag will typically darken, shrivel, and eventually fall off on its own. This process usually takes several days to a week. Medically, this method is sometimes used by professionals with sterile, surgical thread, but the at-home version relies on non-sterile materials and lacks medical oversight.
Unintended Consequences of At-Home Removal
Attempting to tie off a skin tag at home carries a significant risk of complications. The primary danger is infection, as a non-sterile environment and non-medical materials can introduce bacteria to the wound site. Signs of infection, including increased redness, swelling, pus, or persistent pain, require medical attention.
If the ligation is incomplete or the tag is accidentally torn off, uncontrolled bleeding can occur. Improper technique, especially on larger growths, can also lead to noticeable scarring or changes in skin pigmentation (hyper- or hypo-pigmentation) at the removal site. An incomplete removal may leave behind a residual base that can become inflamed or lead to the tag regrowing. The pain and inflammation associated with slowly cutting off the blood supply can also be substantial.
Medically Recommended Procedures
Healthcare professionals offer several safe and effective methods for skin tag removal, ensuring a sterile environment and minimal risk of complications.
Surgical Excision
Surgical excision, often called a snip excision, involves using sterile surgical scissors or a scalpel to quickly cut the tag at its base. A local anesthetic is frequently applied to prevent discomfort. This method provides immediate removal and is especially suitable for larger growths.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy involves the precise application of liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy the skin tag tissue. The extreme cold causes the tag to blister and fall off within a matter of days or weeks.
Electrocautery
Electrocautery, also known as electrodessication, uses an electrical current to burn off the skin tag while simultaneously sealing the wound to prevent bleeding.
These procedures minimize the risk of infection and scarring. They also ensure that the growth is correctly identified before removal, which is a key safeguard against inadvertently treating a more serious skin condition.