Skin tags can be treated by dermatologists, while easy home remedies for skin tags are also there.
Lets discuss!
Common and completely harmless, skin tags are mainly faced by adults. Though they have no medical consequences, abruptly they don’t look good on the skin either. It could be bothersome. Skin tags are soft like noncancerous growth on the skin.
It forms right within the skin usually visible around the neck, breasts, eyelids, armpits and groin area. Mostly, these are loose collagen fibers that have lodges inside the skin forming thick layers. Though they are harmless but could become painful if they are stuck with clothing or jewelry. You may seek the help of the doctor for its removal though you may even seek home remedies for skin tags.
Skin tags occur when there are extra cells growing in the top layer of the skin. This mainly occurs when the skin comes in friction against itself, common with people suffering from obesity and being overweight.
It can occur to both men and women alike. In older people, it may be seen by some from Type 2 Diabetes. This could be because of hyperinsulinemia which is when too much insulin is getting circulated in the blood.
It may also occur on pregnant ladies but that omits out when the baby is born.
There are many types of skin tags. Here are some of the ones that you should know about-
Traditional skin tags
They are the type of skin tags which are highly common, needing no treatment. Small in size, they aren’t painful.
Keratosis
This form of skin condition tends to cause bumps on your cheeks, upper arms or even buttocks.
They tend to appear pretty rough and dry. It doesn’t cause much of the discomfort though. It looks highly unpleasant.
Benign lesions
Lumps or bumps (whatever you may call) on the skin that are not a threat to you. Being non-cancerous, it is visible on the stomach, legs, arms, chest. It tends to appear all over the body as well.
These don’t need treatment. Here are some of the examples of the same –
- Moles
- Birthmarks
- Freckles
- Acne
- Cherry angiomas
A new growth or a lump on the skin could worry you. Not necessarily it has to be cancerous. Same goes for skin tags. Mostly they are non-cancerous.
There could be some pattern of skin lesions that may prove to be cancerous. So if you are looking for an apt answer, skin tags are not cancerous. They are benign growth on the skin that contains high collagen and blood vessels.
Skin tags are small in size. The ones causing cancer enlarge or usually are big. Also, skin cancers can grow and even start to bleed.
You can anytime visit a specialist or a doctor for removing your skin tag from your body. We are sharing with you some of the home remedies that you can opt for.
Though be careful! Most or all home remedies take much longer time to showcase the result in comparison to surgical procedure.
1. Tea Tree Oil
The oil has antiviral and antifungal properties. It is safe to dilute with carrier oil for the best results.
What to do?
- First, wash the affected area properly.
- With the help of a cotton swab, massage the oil on your skin tag.
- Leave it overnight covering the area with a bandage.
- Repeat this treatment every night until the tag dries out. It will fall off automatically.
2. Banana Peel
Who doesn’t have bananas! When you are having one, do not throw away its peel. The properties in the banana peel are highly appreciated for drying out skin tags. Mostly because of the presence of antioxidants.
What to do?
- Take the leftover banana peel right over the skin tag.
- Now cover it with the help of a bandage.
- Do this regularly until the tag falls off.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Research stated that apple cider vinegar can help in removing skin tags.
The acidic properties in it helps in quick shedding of the skin tags. It tends to look smoother, softer and more even.
With the help of ACV twice or thrice a day will showcase you the best results.
What to do?
Take in a little amount of ACV on a cotton ball when it is completely soaked.
Strap this cotton pad right on your skin. Place it in a medical tape, as it is safe for the skin.
Keep it for a few hours or overnight to see the desired results.
4. Garlic
Not known to all, garlic is one kitchen ingredient that works over time for eliminating skin tags and revealing clear skin.
Having antibacterial and antifungal properties, garlic even fights skin infection, keeping your skin clean and clear
What to do?
Take 2-3 garlic cloves and grind into a paste.
Apply the same on the affected area for like an hour.b
Rinse it off with lukewarm water and soap.
5. Ginger
Ginger is another outstanding ingredient that helps in getting rid of skin tags. It does have bioactive compounds and nutrients that speeds up the healing process.
Having antimicrobial properties, ginger helps in inhibiting bacterial growth, further removing skin tags.
What to do?
Cleanse the affected area with a soap or cleanser
Take a ginger slice, rub the raw ginger on the skin tag for nearly a minute.
Do not rinse off the juice. Let it sit in for sometime.
Using this daily will make the skin tag dry and eventually it will fall off.
6. Manuka honey
This honey has gained much attention for skin healing properties.
It is non-peroxide, which means it is rich in antibacterial properties.
Manuka honey when applied on skin tags will restrict oxygen supply to that area. This will help it dry and fall off.
What to do?
Apply a little bit of manuka honey in the affected area of the skin.
Leave it or seal it with a band-aid overnight.
Repeat this every day for the skin tag to be removed completely.
7. Baking soda
Another common ingredient used for different skin healing segments.
Baking soda has the potential to balance the pH level of the skin. It further restricts the growth of skin tags-causing bacteria.
What to do?
Mix 1 tbsp of baking soda with castor oil.
Form a lump-free paste.
Apply it on the affected area.
Wash it off with water after keeping it for a long time.
8. Freezing kits
If you are willing to go for effective home remedies for removing skin tags, it is more like home cryotherapy.
You may even think of using a freezing spray for getting rid of the skin tags. Though it is highly useful, you need to be cautious and careful at the same time.
9. Iodine
Some anecdotal evidence helps in backing up the use of iodine for skin tags removal.
What to do?
Protect the surrounding area of the skin beforehand. You may apply petroleum jelly or any carrier oil.
With the help of the Q-tip, soak in some iodine. Spread the liquid all over the tag.
Cover it with the help of a bandage until it dries.
10. Castor oil
The phytochemicals in castor oil helps in the removal of skin tags, moles and warts.
What to do?
Take 1 or 2 drops of castor oil. Apply it on the area and cover it up with a bandage overnight. Reapply the thing twice a day for best results.
11. Coconut oil
It does have lauric acid and alpha-tocopherol that helps in removing skin tags in just a few weeks.
What to do?
Apply the oil on the skin tag and leave it on. Repeat it every morning and night.
12. Cinnamon oil
It does have antiseptic agent due to which it helps in removing skin tags, moles and warts.
What to do?
Apply the oil on the skin with the help of a cotton swab. Cover it with the help of a band-aid. Use it twice a day.
When to see a doctor
Other skin conditions like moles and warts are similar or look the same as skin tags. Moles can be cancerous, it is always the best to get your skin tags well examined by the doctor. Let your doctor diagnose the skin tags first if you are feeling pain.
Most of the skin tags are non-cancerous growths. If yours one is atypical or looks suspicious, your doctor could opt for a biopsy as a precautionary.
Mainly an outpatient procedure, surgical skin tags removal is done with the help of local anaesthesia. Here is what your doctor may perform among the one –
1. Cauterization
Doctor uses heat for the skin tag removal.
2. Cryosurgery
Spraying a little amount of liquid nitrogen right on the skin tags. This freezes the growth.
3. Electrocautery
Burning the skin tag off with the help of a doctor specialised electric current.
4. Ligation
Skins tags are removed by cutting off the blood flow. This is done with the help of a surgical thread.
5. Surgery
Snipping off the skin tag with surgical scissors. It depends on the size and location for the bandages.
Removal aftercare tips
Once the surgery is performed, you need to conduct the aftercare. People may tend to get a scar post the surgery which fades away with time.
Once you have successfully removed the skin tag, use antibiotic ointment right to the affected area everyday or as prescribed by the doctor.
In the case of a medical procedure, your doctor would ask you to let the skin dry for at least 48 hours. Then gently wash the affected area with soap and mild water.
Conclusion
Skin tags are harmless. Treatment depends on how fast you want to see the results. There are home remedies and OTC products for an inexpensive and effective solution. Again it becomes mandatory to see your doctor if the bleeding doesn’t stop or the skin tag continues to grow.
