Skin tags are characterized by the National Institutes of Health as skin growths. They're attached to the body by a thin piece of skin, commonly referred to as a stalk, and while skin tags can be unsightly, they usually pose no danger and are almost always benign. The only real problem that occurs with a tag is irritation. Depending on the location of the growth, clothing can rub against the tag, which can lead to some minor tenderness. Besides cosmetic reasons, this is one of the main motives behind their removal.
Step 1
Talk to a doctor or dermatologist. He can assess the appearance of the skin tag as well as recommend the most appropriate method of removal.
Step 2
Undergo a minor surgical procedure to remove the tag, suggests the Cleveland Clinic. Surgical excision is the most popular method of removing a skin tag. In this procedure, your doctor simply cuts the tag off of the skin using a scalpel or scissors.
Step 3
Stop any bleeding with aluminum chloride or cauterization. Bleeding from the removal of a skin tag often is stopped by your doctor by applying aluminum chloride to the surgical site or cauterizing the wound to close the skin, advises Harvard Medical School.
Step 4
Apply a medicated cream to the surgical site. If a wound is left on the skin after the removal, applying a mild topical antibiotic to the site helps prevent infection and could speed recovery. Your doctor will suggest or prescribe an ointment for use.
Tips and Warnings
- Your doctor might determine that cryotherapy is the best method to remove your skin tag. With cryotherapy, the tag is frozen, causing the growth to die and fall off. According to the Cleveland Clinic, another potential method of removal is electrosurgery, which uses an electrical current to burn off the skin tag. This method also cauterizes any potential wound left after the procedure.
- If the skin tag appears abnormal, your doctor will take a biopsy to determine whether it's benign or malignant.
