Though a skin tag is a common problem. Most people know little about it. And they try to remove it through simple home remedies. Well, a skin tag is not that simple. It involves surplus things. It may even occur due to serious health problems. Thorough knowledge is important to avoid any unwanted situation. Here we have compiled everything you need to know about a skin tag. What are the causes, and how can you remove them? It also tells when you should visit a doctor. Read on to make a sound decision about what you should do with your skin tags.
What Are Skin Tags?
A skin tag is an unwanted outgrowth on the surface of the skin. It hangs from a skin tissue called a stalk. A skin tag is made of components like collagen fibers, fat, nerve cells, and small blood vessels. Also, it disappears by itself with time. Various terms are used to refer to skin tags like acrochordon, soft fibromas, or fibroepithelial polyps. This is more frequent in a few body parts where skin rubs with other skins. The friction caused between these two parts is the most prone zone of the body for skin tags. These parts are the eyelids, neck, underarms, breasts, and other skin folds.
A skin tag doesn’t occur overnight. It takes significant time to develop as a fully grown problem. However, most of the time, it remains unnoticed while growing. Mostly, it occurs in unnoticed body parts. And since it is painless, it continues to grow without any obstacle. Most people notice it when it starts irritating while wearing clothes and jewelry. It completely depends on the person whether they want to remove it or not. It doesn’t cause any pain and, most of the time, doesn’t bother anyone from its presence. However, if you want to remove it, first consult your doctor.
Why Do Skin Tags Create Problems?
Typically, a skin tag doesn’t create any problem. It is painless and mostly occurs in the places where skin friction is most common. However, it may create problems in wearing clothes and jewelry. People have their reasons for removing it. Most people want to remove this because of cosmetics problems. Others don’t want any unwanted growth in their body. While some people are just concerned about their health.
Don’t worry about the process involved in removing the skin tag. You can remove it with the help of home remedies as well as medical treatment. However, it is always advisable to consult the doctor before removing it.
What Are The Causes Of A Skin Tag?
Medical science doesn’t have the answer to this problem yet. However, some factors are identified that cause skin tags. Since there is no specified reason for this problem, it is difficult to adopt any prevention for it.
Studies have proved that there is a correlation between insulin resistance and skin tags. Insulin resistance is the cause of type-2 diabetes and prediabetes. This is also a cause of skin tags. People who have insulin resistance tend to absorb more glucose from the bloodstream. The absorption of glucose from the blood led to a collection of collagen fat at a specific point in the body. This deposition further grows as a skin tag.
Pregnancy is also a prominent reason for skin tags. When a woman is pregnant, she undergoes several hormonal changes and weight gain. These changes in her body lead to multiple skin tags. That’s why it is pretty common for women to get skin tags. However, in a rare case, multiple skin tags may represent hormonal imbalance or an endocrine problem. Visit your doctor before removing the skin tags.
In rare cases, obesity might also contribute to skin tags. People having a higher body mass index is prone to it. Multiple skin tags might occur in different parts of the body. Don’t worry, be patient. If you have a skin tag, it is quite obvious that it gets removed with time without doing anything. Still, if you want to get rid of it as soon as possible, home remedies are the best position. Make sure to consult your healthcare provider before taking any step.
Should You Remove A Skin Tag?
Well, the answer to this question completely depends on your will. Some factors might help you to make a wise decision. Here are a few factors that you should keep in your mind while going for a remedy for skin tags.
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Location Of The Skin Tag
Where your skin tag is located is important when deciding on its remedy. If it is located in the most visible area, like the eyelids, then you should think of getting rid of it. Or, if it is in places like the lower part of the breast, back, and back of your neck, it would be better to leave it as it is.
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Size Of The Skin Tag
If the size of the skin tag is large enough, it has started causing irritation in wearing clothes and jewelry. Then, you should think of a remedy. However, never try to remove large skin tags at home because it may cause serious bleeding and scarring. If it is small, then you can leave it to get cured by itself.
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Your Health Conditions
If you are facing serious health problems, you suddenly start facing multiple skin tags. Then, you should immediately consult a doctor. It can be a sign of health injuries. But if you know that it is a common cause, maybe due to your pregnancy, then you can wait for some time to get it cured by itself.
These are a few factors that will help you to decide the best option for you. Remember to consult your doctor before going for treatment.
How Can You Remove A Skin Tag?
Well, several ways can help you to remove a skin tag. The method to remove it solely depends on your choice. You can check out your availability, comfort, budget, and other factors that might affect your decision. Think about every topic. Analyze which one would be the best for you. Only then go for one option. However, make sure to talk to your healthcare provider before choosing any option. Both of you can work together to find the best.
Here are different methods to remove a skin tag from your body
- Home remedies
- Medical treatment
- Cosmetic treatment
- Lifestyle
- Time
It can disappear by itself with time. So, you don’t need to give it any extra care and time. The time heals it without any cost. Once you have decided which method is the best for you, move to the next step. The next step depends on how early you want to remove it. You can move forward according to it.
Let us discuss different methods of treatment one by one. This is just a brief introduction that helps you to find the best possible option for you.
Home Remedies To Remove A Skin Tag
Home remedies are always an amazing way to get rid of any problem. And the best part is home remedies rarely cause any side effects. Some home remedies are effective against skin tags. However, they might be quite different and risky too. Avoid using home remedies to remove larger skin tags because it may cause heavy bleeding. Contact your healthcare in case of any difficulty.
Here are some home remedies that might help you to remove skin tags
Removal Patches And Bands
These are some effective ways to remove skin tags. You need to apply the removal patch or band on the skin tag. Then, leave it. Skin tag removal patches and bands cut off the supply of blood through the skin tag. You need to keep the patches for several days. In the absence of blood supply, the skin tags die. This dead skin tag falls off after a certain interval of time. This process is known as ligation.
However, this method is not recommended by healthcare providers. The skin tag removal patches contain medications that might harm the skin’s surface.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is known for its cosmetic benefits. It is extremely useful for the skin. It has been seen that it might be useful in removing skin tags.
To use tea tree oil:
- Apply a few drops of the oil to a cotton ball.
- Put this cotton ball on the affected area.
- Leave it for at least 10 minutes.
- Apply it three times a day.
This may take weeks to months to cure the skin tag. Also, it is advised to do a patch test of tea tree oil first because it is sensitive to the skin. Dermatologists recommend not to use tea tree oil on the face because it may cause serious skin problems.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Though complete research is still left in this field, studies have shown that apple cider vinegar is effective against skin tags. Apple cider vinegar is a highly useful food product. It is used in various places. To apply apple cider vinegar as a remedy, you need to soak a cotton ball with it. Then, put this cotton ball on the skin tag. Leave it for 10 minutes. Afterward, remove the cotton ball. Repeat it three to four times a day until the skin tag falls off.
Apple cider vinegar is highly acidic. It may even cause skin burns. Do a patch test before applying it. If you notice any irritation or rashes in the applied area, immediately stop applying apple cider vinegar and contact your doctor.
Iodine
Scientists have proven that iodine is effective against skin tags. You can apply liquid iodine to the affected area. For this, first, protect the surrounding area with the help of petroleum jelly or coconut oil. Then, take a few drops of liquid nitrogen in Q-tip. Now, apply this liquid to the skin tag. Cover it with the help of a bandage. Let it dry.
Liquid iodine is a mineral and can cause skin irritation. Make sure to test it before use. The best option is to talk to your healthcare provider.
Banana Peel
Banana is a rich source of antioxidants. Its peel is also very useful. The antioxidants present in the banana peel can help to remove the skin tag. Put a piece of the banana peel on the affected area and secure it with the help of a bandage. Leave it overnight. Repeat this process until the skin tag sheds off.
It is an absolutely harmless method and doesn’t require much effort.
Vitamin E
Aging might be another reason for the skin tag. By reducing the scars of aging, you can effectively manage skin tags. And antioxidants and vitamin E are proven ways to reduce the aging effects. Regular use of vitamin E capsules on the affected area will effectively reduce skin tags. For this, gently massage vitamin E oil on the skin tag. Continue this process till the skin tag sheds off.
Ginger
Ginger is also an effective way to reduce skin tag. Ginger is used in various ways. One way is to remove skin tags from the body. To do this:
- Apply crushed ginger on the skin tag.
- Cover it with the help of a bandage and leave it overnight.
- Wash off the face in the morning.
- Repeat this process until you get rid of the skin tag.
Some Medical Treatments To Cure A Skin Tag
Home remedies, though an amazing option, may take quite a long time to get the result. Sometimes, it doesn’t cause any effect at all. Thus, people rely more on medical treatment to get instant results. However, even medical treatment may take quite a long time to get cured completely. However, this is always less than other options. A few medical treatment options are
Removal Cream
It is a simple method where doctors recommend certain creams that can help to shed off skin tags. They are specially designed to remove it. They remove the skin tag with the help of certain medications. However, they might cause negative effects. Do a patch test before applying them directly on skin tags.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is a common method of removing skin tags in which liquid nitrogen is used. Liquid nitrogen can reach the freezing point up to -320o F. The skin tag requires -4o F to -32o F. It led to the freezing of skin tags. However, you may need to undergo several sessions to shed off the skin tag completely. Also, if you have planned to do this therapy, certain points should you keep in your mind. Choose a kit that can reach the required temperature. Read the instruction carefully before applying them. While applying this kit to the affected area, make sure it does not touch other parts of the body. You can use petroleum jelly or coconut oil to form an extra layer on the skin. It will avoid direct contact of nitrogen with the skin.
Electrocautery
In this process, the doctor passes a wave of current through the skin tag. It burns up the skin tag and eventually falls off after a few days. Electrocautery might be a little painful, but the doctor will numb the area with the help of injection before passing electricity through it. So you will not feel any pain during the procedure. You may need to take this procedure more than one time to get an effective result.
Cauterization
Cauterization is not much different from electrocautery. However, in this process, doctors don’t pass electric waves to burn the skin tag. Rather, they use heat waves to do so. It might be a little painful. But doctors numb the area with the help of anesthesia before passing heat waves.
Both electrocautery and cauterization are excellent methods for removing the skin tag. But they might cause pain in the future. And it should always be performed by a licensed and experienced doctor. Talk to your surgeon before going for it.
Surgery
It is also an effective method to remove the skin tag. In this process, doctors use their surgical scissors to cut the skin tag. It doesn’t take much time to recover from it. And the length required to remove the skin tag depends on the size of the skin tag. It may even require stitching. However, you can even remove it at home with the help of a sharp cutter like a knife, nail cutter, sharp scissors, blade, or another sharp object. But make sure to disinfect the area and instrument before cutting it down. Also, don’t cut medium or large skin tags at home because it may cause excessive bleeding. These are a few medical methods that can help you to get rid of the skin tag. You can choose them as per your choice.
Why Must You Visit A Healthcare Provider?
So, I have been told many times in this article that you should first talk to your healthcare provider before taking any step. Well, there is a strong reason behind this. Doctors are professionals who have more knowledge and experience than us.
A skin tag can occur due to various reasons. Sometimes, it doesn’t matter, but in rare cases, it may symbolize health problems like cancer. But who will determine whether your skin tag is either a common problem or a serious problem? Only the surgeon has enough experience and knowledge to determine this. Sometimes it happens that the person removes the skin tag without any consultation and later, they get struck with a fatal disease. Consulting a doctor is important because it will help you to get the best possible treatment for your problem.
Conclusion
A skin tag is not a serious problem. But you can check it out if it irritates you while wearing clothes or jewelry. Mostly, skin tags are painless and remain unnoticed because they mostly happen in joints. If you want to remove the skin tag, plenty of methods are available. But be patient with what you do. Sometimes, it may take quite a long time to get cured completely. You should wait patiently until then.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does A Skin Tag Create Any Problem?
Well, in most cases, a skin tag doesn’t create any problem. However, its location may create a problem. When it is in the neck or back of the ears, it creates irritation in wearing jewelry. It gets stuck with it like a hook and makes you uncomfortable. In the same way, if it is at a place where your cloth rubs with the skin, it creates irritation and often itching. It is painless and thus doesn’t cause any discomfort.
What If Your Skin Tag Is Not Going By Itself?
A skin tag is something that comes and goes by itself. You don’t need to interfere with it. But sometimes it doesn’t go with time. Or, it takes a comparatively long time to get rid of completely. In this case, you can go for some remedies or talk to your doctor. Both medical and home remedies are available for it. You can choose depending on your necessity.
Can It Occur To Older People?
Aging is a prominent reason for skin tags. It is commonly seen that skin tags occur with wrinkles. Thus, older people are prone to skin tags. However, they don’t need to worry because it doesn’t cause them much problem. However, in older people, it comes to stay for the rest of their life. Eating antioxidant-rich foods might help in reducing this problem.
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