Skin tags are small protruding bits of skin, which are harmless [benign] and painless in nature. They can appear anywhere on the body. Primarily, they occur in areas where the skin forms creases, such as the neck, armpits, eyelids and groin. Typically, skin-tags are the size of a grain of rice, usually their color is similar to the skin color, but sometimes they can be dark in color. The tag is often raised from the surface of the skin on a fleshy stalk called peduncle, the surface of the skin-tag may be smooth or irregular in appearance. They are small in size but some of them can be up to a half inch long or they can be flat. The cause for the tags is unknown. It is believed that skin tags develop due to rubbing of skin against clothing or other skin of the body. They are more common in people with type-2 diabetes and obesity. The older a person is, the more likely these will develop. They are more common in women than men. The tendency to develop skin-tags is increased in people who are on steroids for a long period of time. They can be removed if they become a cosmetic concern, otherwise they are harmless. Following are A few effective homemade removal remedies:

Application of Mild Acidic Substances

Application of mild acidic substances such as tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar or castor oil can be helpful to remove the skin-tags. Any one of these mild acidic substances is applied to the subject area three to four times a day for several days. It may take a long time to show the results, but outcomes are often satisfactory. Application of these substances for longer periods of time causes the tag to fall off. The way to apply these substances is to use a cotton ball soaked in any one of these mild acidic substances and then tape it over the skin tag. The cotton ball should be left for several hours on the area to be treated and then removed. After removing the cotton ball, the area should be washed. This method of applying a cotton ball should done every day and continued till the unwanted skin falls off.

Cutting off Blood Supply

Skin tags can be removed at home by cutting off blood supply to the area with the help of dental floss or thread. While this method is invasive, it is less painful than other home remedies. A piece of dental floss or thread is tied around the base of the peduncle which cuts off the oxygen supply to the tag. Then it is cut with a sterilized sharp scissor. While cutting, a person usually feels a sting, but it is not very painful. It is important to sterilize the scissor in alcohol or other sterilizing agents before the procedure. And also, the skin area should be sterilized before the excision. Skin-tags consist of living cells, so after the excision there is likely to be an open wound. This wound could easily become infected if skin area or scissor is not sterilized. A sterilized piece of gauze or cotton should be applied after the excision, then compressed to stop any bleeding. Once bleeding stops, an antiseptic lotion is applied and covered with a band-aid. If the tag is flat, a sterilized nail clipper can be used in place of scissor. Placing an ice cube on the skin tag before the excision may help to relieve the pain.

Application of Baking Soda and Castor Oil

Another effective method to remove a skin-tag at home is the application of baking soda and castor oil. Baking soda and castor oil should be mixed till they become the form of a gooey paste; and the paste should be applied to the skin tags three time a day. After continuous application for two weeks, they will dry up and fall-off.

Application of Nonporous Substances

Application of nonporous substances such as clear nail polish, commercial liquid band-aid or duct tape can remove the tags by depriving oxygen to the extra skin growth. Any one of these substances can be applied, and the application should be continued for several days till the skin tags fall off.

All above mentioned procedures can be performed at home, without visiting a medical doctor. It is also possible to get the tag removed by a dermatologist, but, since it is a cosmetic procedure, sometimes this is not covered by insurance. Removal of skin tags at home is safe, effective and cost-efficient. To get skin tags removed by a dermatologist for purely cosmetic purpose can be expensive. Instead, removal of skin tags at home is easy and cheaper, so there is no need to waste money on something so harmless.