Skin tags are small, painless lumps of skin that are usually attached to the body by a narrow stalk. They normally occur in areas where skin rubs together, such as the neck and armpits. Diabetes and obesity are commonly associated with skin tag growth. These growths are usually removed by cauterization or by cutting the stalk at the base with a sterile scalpel or surgical scissors. Most people do not have sterile scissors at home, or they might be afraid of cutting the tag off themselves. Fortunately, there is an easy way to get rid of skin tags without cutting them.
Step 1
Use mirror to identify the skin tag that you want to remove. Make sure that you are able to see the tag clearly and verify that the skin tag has a narrow stalk. If the stalk is as wide as the skin tag itself, it is easier to have it surgically removed.
Step 2
Pour some rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball or bit of tissue, swab the skin around the skin tag and stalk, and allow the swabbed area to dry.
Step 3
Using clean scissors, cut a bit of sturdy sewing thread to a length of a few inches. While looking in the mirror, tie the thread tightly around the base of the skin tag as close to the body as possible. After knotting the thread securely, trim the ends. The tight thread will cause the skin tag to die and fall off within a few days as it is deprived of a blood supply.
Step 4
If you have skin tags in a difficult to reach spot, such as under the armpit, you might need to enlist another person to tie the thread for you.
Tips and Warnings
- You can use dental floss if you do not have thread. Small, sharp scissors such as nail trimming scissors can be sterilized with alcohol and used to snip the skin tags at the base. However, this takes some courage and should not be undertaken unless the skin tag stalk is very thin. Antibiotic ointment and a bandage should keep the small cut from becoming infected.
- If a skin tag changes in appearance, you should check with your doctor. If you are on blood thinners such as warfarin or if you have a weak immune system from cancer, steroids, or HIV/AIDS, you should not try this remedy at home.
Things You'll Need
- Mirror
- Rubbing alcohol
- Cotton ball
- Clean scissors
- Sturdy sewing thread
- Another person
