Skin tag removal

There are many effective methods for skin tag removal at home. But first, I would like to discuss a few things such as, are skin tags dangerous, where skin tags occur, and who is most likely to get skin tags.

Skin tags are very common skin growths that are benign (non cancerous) and harmless growths. Some individuals tend to have a greater number of skin tags than others. There are number of factors that might result in an increased number of skin tags, such as being overweight. Obese people tend to have an increased likelihood of developing skin tags. Both men and women develop skin tags at equal rates. A skin tag is a small bit of usually flesh colored tissue attached to the skin by a narrow stalk. The most common location skin tags occur is our underarms, eyelids, at the base of the neck, in the groin area, and with women, under the breasts. These growths are generally quite small, but occasionally can grow as large as 1 cm in diameter and rarely even larger.

It is believed the most common cause of tags is repetitive rubbing of the skin against clothing or in overweight people where skin rubs against skin. Although it’s not uncommon for tags to grow in places where no friction has ever occurred, such as the eyelids. It is generally expected that more than half of the population will at some point in their life develop skin tags. While it is much more common to develop tags during middle age, children may also develop tags.

Some people mistakenly believe skin tags to be a type of wart, but that’s not the case. Warts are caused by a virus called human papillomavirus, and is quite contagious. Skin tags on the other hand are not known to be contagious.

For the most part, the removal of skin tags is purely for cosmetic reasons. They are not known to cause any particular problem such as a becoming cancerous. They typically cause no discomfort except in places where they continually rub against clothing. Other than being unsightly, and a cause of embarrassment for some people, there’s no other reason for removing a skin tag.

One of the most effective methods for skin tag removal at home is to tie off the tag at the base with a very small string or piece of dental floss. This will cut off the blood flow to the skin tag, causing it to die and fall off in a few short days. Blood flowing to the skin tag is what allows it to stay alive in the first place.

Another method is to cut the skin tag off with a pair of scissors. One benefit of this method is that the tag is removed immediately. One major drawback of this method is bleeding. Removing a tag with scissors can be done with or without anesthetic. The larger the growth is the more necessary anesthetic will become.

Another method used to remove skin tags at home is duct tape. This is also effective method of removing warts. Start by putting a small piece of duct tape directly on the skin tag and allowing the tape to stay there until it begins to loosen. At that point, peel the duct tape off checking to see if the skin tag comes with it. If not, replace the duct tape as many times as is necessary until the tag will eventually pull off with the tape.