Removal of skin tags is not usually essential unless they are painful, irritate clothes or jewelry, or are being done for aesthetic reasons. Skin tags, also known as acrochordons, are benign skin growths that won’t develop into cancer.
While natural treatments for skin tags exist, including toothpaste and freezing kits, it may be better to have a dermatologist (a doctor who specializes in skin health) remove the tag. They can determine if the development is indeed a skin tag or another form of disease, such as skin cancer.
Skin tags are a typical, unharmful development. Skin tags can be removed using several at-home methods, however doctors frequently advise against using them.
How To Identify Skin Tags
The interesting thing is that the majority of people have no idea that they have these skin growths. Skin tags frequently disappear on their own as a result of friction and rubbing. The problem starts when they don’t and when they are big enough to be embarrassing or even uncomfortable. The following traits can help you recognize them:
- They are flesh- or brown-colored.
- When you see their skin stalks, they resemble little mushrooms.
- Pendulum-like growths resemble them.
If you want these skin tags to spontaneously die and come off, you must cut off their blood supply. Skin tags can be removed naturally with the use of several home treatments.
What causes skin tags?
What what causes skin tags to develop is unknown. Friction may be involved since they typically manifest in skin creases. We do know that they are composed of collagen and blood vessels that are encased in an outer layer of skin.
According to studies, skin tags and the human papillomavirus (HPV) are related. Skin tag formation may also be influenced by insulin resistance, which can result in type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. Those who have insulin resistance have poor blood glucose absorption.
Multiple skin tags were linked to insulin resistance, a high body mass index, and elevated triglycerides, according to a 2010 research.
Another typical adverse effect of pregnancy is skin tags. Weight gain and pregnant hormones may be to blame for this. Rarely, having many skin tags may indicate an endocrine disorder or hormonal imbalance.
There could also be a genetic link. Multiple family members having them is not rare. Skin tags, however, are not communicable.
Home remedies
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice’s citric acid eliminates the dead cells. You will observe that the skin tag is gradually deteriorating in two to three weeks. Lemon juice and a cotton ball are required.
Apply lemon juice on the cotton ball after dipping it in the liquid. After some time, rinse it off.
Fig Juice
Although figs are frequently consumed for their laxative effects, relatively few people are aware of their innate capacity to naturally remove skin tags and other similar skin growths. The skin tag falls off on its own thanks to the proteolytic enzyme ficin, which is present in stem juice. Some fig stems are required.
To get the juice, crush the stems. Apply and leave on this juice for the skin tags.
Pineapple
Aside from skin tags, pineapple juice is reported to be effective on warts and moles. The skin tag falls off as a result of the proteolytic enzymes drying it out. Fresh pineapple juice is required.
Apply some freshly squeezed pineapple juice immediately to the skin tag. Launder naturally to dry.
Onion Juice
This therapy, which is frequently used to treat stubborn warts, also works beautifully on common skin tags. This often consumed vegetable is rich in chemicals that contain sulfur, has a ton of antioxidants, and aids in scar healing. You’ll need a cotton ball, 1/2 cup of water, 2 to 3 onion slices, and 1 teaspoon of salt.
Water and salt should be combined well. Overnight, let the onion pieces soak in this. To the afflicted region, apply this water.
Aloe Vera Juice
Skin tags can be removed and the skin can recover more rapidly because to aloe vera’s anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and wound-healing capabilities. Aloe vera juice or gel are required.
Use aloe vera juice to gently massage the skin tag and its surroundings for a minute or two. Until it dries, keep it on.
Epsom Salt Bath
Epsom salt pulls out all the toxins and restores the pH balance of the skin. The skin tag dries out and becomes readily shed as a result. The muscles might also benefit greatly from an Epsom salt soak. Warm water, a bathtub, and one cup of Epsom salt are required.
Epsom salt should be added to a warm bath before getting in. Spend 10 to 20 minutes soaking in this water.
Alternately, mix two tablespoons of water with a half-teaspoon of Epsom salt. Place a cotton ball soaked in this mixture on the skin tag for 15 minutes.
Shea Butter
Shea butter will keep the skin moisturized while oregano essential oil will cause the skin tag to eventually fall off. The skin is nourished by the good fats in it, which also help scars to heal and fade. You’ll need organic shea butter and one drop of oregano essential oil.
Shea butter should be melted in your hand using the heat of your fingertips. This should then be well-mixed with the oregano essential oil. Apply this on the skin tags.
Ginger
Numerous bioactive substances in ginger have therapeutic and antibacterial activities. Some people have found that these qualities work well to get rid of skin tags. Slices of ginger are required.
Clear the area around the skin tag and around it. Dry it with a pat. For a few minutes, rub a piece of raw ginger on it. Never rinse off the ginger juice that gets on your skin after biting into it.
Garlic
The antibacterial and antifungal properties of garlic. The tag will detach after a few days, leaving behind smooth skin. You’ll need one to two garlic cloves.
Make a paste out of the fresh garlic cloves. Apply the paste on the skin tag at this time. Wash it off after an hour or so.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is an astringent, and its ability to balance pH can aid in the removal of the skin tag. Extract from witch hazel is required. Let the extract dry after applying it to the skin tag.
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Manuka Honey
A form of honey without peroxide is manuka honey. Applying it on the skin tag limits the oxygen flow to it, which aids in the removal process. Once the skin tag has fallen off, the wound will heal more quickly because to the wound-healing qualities of honey. Additionally, it avoids the development of scars. You’ll need Manuka honey and bandages.
Put a bandage over the skin tag after applying honey to it. Maintain the bandage for a few hours.
Bloodroot
The bloodroot plant, which is indigenous to North America’s United States and Canada, is a potent treatment for warts, moles, and skin tags. Even herbalists advise using it to get rid of malignancies. After a few applications, it stops blood flow to the skin tag, causing it to come off on its own. You Will Need Bloodroot Paste (Black Salve), Cotton, a Bandage, and Hydrogen Peroxide.
With a cotton ball coated in hydrogen peroxide, clean the skin tag and the surrounding region. This should be treated with the black salve, then bandaged. For a few hours, leave the bandage in place.
Baking Soda
Skin growths like warts and skin tags can be removed by changing the pH of the afflicted region with castor oil and baking soda. A few drops of castor oil and a half teaspoon of baking soda are required.
To make a paste, combine a little baking soda with castor oil. Remember that this might get quite sticky. the skin tag with this paste. Rinse it off after 1-2 hours.
Banana Peel
With their enzymes and acids, banana peels have been proven to be efficient at removing warts. Skin tags can be removed with the aid of the same chemicals found in peels. A banana peel will be required.
Slice off a little of the peel. Apply the white side of the peel’s fibrous portion to the skin tag for about an hour.
Apple Cider Vinegar
The skin tag falls off more quickly because to the vinegar’s acidity. Cotton, scotch tape or duct tape, and a few drops of apple cider vinegar are all you’ll need.
Put a drop of vinegar on a piece of cotton, then fasten it to the skin tag. Hold the cotton in place with the tape. For a few hours, leave it on.
Tea tree oil
When diluted in a carrier oil, tea tree oil, which contains antiviral and antifungal qualities, is safe to apply to the skin.
Wash the afflicted area first. Then, apply the oil to the skin tag gently by massaging it there with a Q-tip or cotton swab. Overnight, cover the area with a bandage. For many nights, keep using this therapy until the tag dries up and comes off.
Bottom Line
Treatment is not required for skin tags that don’t cause irritation because they are mostly harmless.
Even though over-the-counter (OTC) medications and home cures might be efficient, cost-effective options, if a skin tag doesn’t go away with self-care, bleeds, or keeps getting bigger, visit your doctor.
A skin tag can be properly removed using several techniques with little discomfort or scars.
