Skin tags are benign growths that can pop up from several areas around the body, from the armpits, from the neck and under the chest. They are completely harmless, so if they don’t care about you, leave them alone. But if you want to remove them, there is an option.
There are a lot of commercial products sold as skin tag removers, and there are quite a few natural remedies that can help too. But is it a good idea to try to remove skin tags at home? Some things should be left to the experts. The following are the recommended dermatologists:
Can I delete the skin tag myself?
Technically, it can. In reality, you probably shouldn’t. Skin tags usually do not disappear on their own. If you are tempted by many products sold as skin tag removers, it is important to understand the risks, says Dr. Jennifer Shastri, a dermatologist at Northwestern Medicine.
If you try to remove the skin tag yourself, breaking down the skin barrier will result in a risk of infection, uncontrolled bleeding, and/or scarring. “We’ve seen patients burn chemicals into their skin and try to remove skin tags at home,” says Shastry. “So, if that’s what I want, I really recommend removing it in the office.”
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“I don’t recommend home treatment because I’ve seen some scary infections and scars at home,” agrees Dr. Haley Goldbach, a board-certified dermatologist and MOHS surgeon at Brown University. “Many of the products sold to remove skin tags are very severe and can lead to skin burns.”
The same logic applies to reported natural remedies for removing skin tags, such as applying tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar, and garlic to skin tags. “They are unlikely to be completely effective and do not pose a serious risk of irritating the skin and causing a rash,” says Shastry.
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How to safely remove skin tags
If the skin tag size is getting bigger or generally becomes awkward, the dermatologist can do some office treatments to effectively and safely remove the skin tag.
Depending on the size and position of the skin tag, snip removal, cryotherapy (cold liquid nitrogen spray), thermal energy (blazing skin tags using thermal energy), shaving removal (usually reserved. Larger skin tags ), says Shastry.
Skin tag removal is often not covered by health insurance, says Goldbach. This is because it is usually considered a cosmetic treatment.
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What is a skin tag?
Skin tags are usually not dangerous or are no warning signs, Goldbach says. However, in rare cases, looking at new clusters of skin tags may indicate changes occurring within the body (and potentially underlying diseases). In that case, you should always consult a dermatologist who can direct you to your healthcare provider.
Anyway, looking at new and prominent growth of any type of skin, a medical examination with a dermatologist is always necessary, especially if the size is enlarged, colour or painful, or itching, Shastry says I say it. Sometimes what you think is a benign skin tag can actually be more serious like melanoma.