Skin tags, also called acrochordons, are small fleshy outgrowths of regular skin attached to a thin stalk or “flag.” They’re usually a couple of millimeters across and are the same color as your skin. In most cases, they’re harmless, but they may become irritated or painful when caught on clothing or jewelry. They can also bleed if they’re pulled on or caught in tight clothes.
In some cases, these skin growths can be a sign of another health issue, such as a thyroid problem or cancer. It’s therefore important that you see a dermatologist for a professional assessment. This is especially true if a skin tag or mole changes in appearance, shape or color.
While a few people have reported success using home remedies to remove skin tags, such as tea tree oil, castor oil and apple cider vinegar skin tag removal reading, medical experts warn that there is no scientific evidence that these methods are effective. In fact, they can cause serious complications, such as chemical burns and bleeding.
It’s also important to avoid any DIY skin tag removal method that involves tying off the base of the growth. According to Katz, this is particularly dangerous because it can cut off the skin tag’s blood supply. This can result in heavy bleeding and a potential infection. It can also sever any nerve growth in the skin tag, which may result in chronic pain for weeks or months.
Aside from the risk of cutting off your own blood supply, home removal techniques can also lead to more significant medical issues, such as scarring and infection. It can also damage the surrounding skin, leading to a condition known as irritant dermatitis. In addition, there is a risk of tearing the stalk off the acrochordon and leaving behind a dark spot or bump on the skin.
When you go to a dermatologist for skin tag removal, they can use liquid nitrogen or another freezing agent to freeze the tissue. This results in it sloughing off the surrounding skin. It’s a safer and less invasive option than tying or snipping at the skin tags.
You should never yank or snip at a skin tag, even when it’s causing you discomfort. In addition to posing an aesthetic concern, you can easily tear or bruise the area and cause heavy bleeding and infection. In addition, a skin tag that gets twisted in a knot could cut off its own blood supply and die. It’s also possible to accidentally cut off a nerve growth in the skin tag, resulting in chronic pain for weeks or months. In addition, attempting to remove skin tags at home can increase your likelihood of developing a neuroma.