Just some of the medical names for skin tags are cutaneous papilloma, cutaneous tag, Templeton skin tag and papilloma colli. Skin tags are benign tumors that are connected to the skin by a stalk. They vary in size, but are usually about the size of a piece of rice, or slightly larger. Skin tags occur where the skin creases or rubs together. They only cause discomfort if they are rubbed by clothing, skin or jewelry. One simple method to remove skin tags is cryotherapy, which involves freezing the tag with a very cold substance, either dry ice or liquid nitrogen.
Step 1
Find a dermatologist who will perform the procedure. Cryotherapy cannot be done at home.
Step 2
Take antibiotics or ibuprofen before the procedure. No anesthetic is used during topical cryotherapy due to the low level of pain involved. Some doctors recommend taking 400 mg of ibuprofen one-half hour before the procedure to relieve any mild discomfort, according to RadiologyInfo.org. If your doctor has prescribed antibiotics to ward off possible infection, take this as suggested.
Step 3
Remove the skin tag. The doctor will apply the freezing substance directly to the skin tag with a cotton swab or spray device. The procedure is outpatient and generally only takes a few minutes.
Step 4
Follow any doctor recommendations. Topical cryotherapy is a simple procedure, so there will be little to no follow-up. The doctor may prescribe antibiotics or schedule a follow-up visit to check the site.
