Skin tags are excess benign growths of skin that appear on the surface of your skin. They occur in almost 50 percent of individuals, according to the Mayo Clinic, and while they're harmless, many people choose to have them removed, usually for cosmetic concerns. Most doctors advise strongly against trying to remove skin tags on your own, but if you do decide to do this at home, you have a couple of options available to you before making the trip to the doctor.
Step 1
Tie a thin piece of dental floss or thread around the base of the skin tag. This acts as a tourniquet, cutting off the blood supply to the tag and killing the cells. It can take several days for the tag to fall off and can occasionally be painful.
Step 2
Apply a caustic salve to the skin tag repeatedly over time to kill the skin tag and cause it to fall off. Be extremely careful to keep the salve away from your eyes and your surrounding skin, as it can cause damage, including discoloration, scarring and infection.
Step 3
Remove the skin tag with a pair of scissors by cutting the tag off at the base. Be sure to disinfect the cut and put a bandage on it, since it will likely bleed and be susceptible to infection. For skin tags on the eyelids, this is strongly discouraged due to the risk posed to the eye, although it can be effective.
Step 4
Visit your doctor to have the skin tag removed. There are various options available to you, including surgical scissors to cut off the skin tag or cryosurgery to freeze the tag off. Choose the option that best fits your budget and preferences, and have your doctor carry out the minor procedure.
Tips and Warnings
- Removing your skin tag on your own is strongly discouraged. Go to a doctor to have the skin tag removed. This is usually inexpensive and much safer than home remedies.
Things You'll Need
- Dental floss or thread
- Caustic salve
- Scissors
