How To Treat Skin Tags

Surgery

Surgery for skin tag removal can be done with heat or by cutting away the growth. Excision is a very effective and quick procedure and can be done with skin tags that have a very narrow base. A scalpel or other type of medical cutting instrument is used to remove the skin tag. The area is numbed before the growth is cut off, and no recovery time is necessary. This method is not recommended for medium or large skin tags because it can cause bleeding. Electrosurgery uses electricity to generate heat for the removal of the skin tag at its base. This type of surgery makes precise cuts and minimizes blood loss.

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At-Home Remedies

At-home remedies to remove skin tags include ligation, tea tree oil, and apple cider vinegar. Ligation is a process of cutting off the blood supply to the tissue so the cells will die. The targeted tissue will eventually fall off. Patients can tie a piece of string or dental floss around the base of the tag to cut off its blood supply, though they may have to tighten the band periodically. It usually falls off within ten days. Apple cider vinegar and tea tree oil are both used in the same manner to remove skin tags. Just soak a cotton ball in either liquid and apply to the skin tag with a bandage over it to keep it in place. Do this two to three times daily for about ten minutes each time until the skin tag falls off, which may take days or weeks.

Some individuals may experience skin irritation or other adverse reactions, in which case treatment should be discontinued. Don’t use either substance for skin tags around the eyes. Seek medical advice for very long or large skin tags or those located around the eyes or genitals. Tags that cause pain, itching, or bleeding should be evaluated by a medical professional.

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