To get rid of skin tags, there are several options including at-home remedies, over-the-counter products, and professional medical treatments: Home Remedies:
- Apply tea tree oil diluted with a carrier oil using a cotton swab, cover overnight, and repeat until the tag falls off.
- Use diluted apple cider vinegar on a cotton swab, apply for 15-30 minutes daily, but be cautious of irritation.
- Place a piece of banana peel over the tag, cover with a bandage, and do this nightly.
- Apply crushed garlic or liquid vitamin E regularly until the tag shrinks.
Be cautious with home methods; never cut off a skin tag yourself to avoid bleeding and infection.
Over-the-Counter Products:
- There are freezing kits (cryotherapy) that use cold temperatures to remove tags.
- Skin tag removal creams are available but may cause irritation.
- Skin tag removal bands cut off blood supply to the tag causing it to fall off.
Note that the FDA has warned against many OTC products due to risks of skin injury and infection.
Professional Medical Treatments:
- Dermatologists offer safe and quick removal using:
- Cryosurgery (freezing with liquid nitrogen)
- Snip removal with sterile scissors or surgical blade
- Electrocautery (burning off the tag)
- Ligation (cutting off blood supply with surgical thread)
These treatments ensure minimal risk of infection and effective, quick removal.
Preventive tips include maintaining a healthy weight, using moisturizer to reduce skin irritation, and wearing loose clothing to avoid friction. In summary, for safe and effective removal, professional dermatologist treatment is recommended. Home remedies and OTC methods may work but are slower and carry risks if not done properly.
