Skin Tag Home Removal Methods
Skin tags are small tumors that are considered to be benign or not harmful to your health. The most common places to get skin tags are areas where there is friction of skin rubbing against skin. Some individuals choose to do nothing about these skin tags if they are hidden under clothing and causing no problem. Other individuals will search for methods of skin tag home removal because their tags are noticeable or causing irritation.
What do Skin Tags Look Like?
Skin tags are pieces of flesh that stick out from the skin surface on a stalk of tissue. These fleshy pieces can be flesh colored, or they may be brown. The surface of the tags are normally smooth or slightly wrinkled. Skin tags may start as small flattened bumps approximately the size of a pinhead.
Individuals who are prone to getting skin tags can have one skin tag, or they can have hundreds of skin tags. The most common places for these bumps to appear are on the neck, armpits, back, chest and under the breasts of women. Skin tags can appear in the groin area also.
These skin abnormalities are not limited to adults. Babies and children can get them also. Babies can get these tags in the fatty folds of the legs or neck. Young children usually get these tags on the upper eyelids because they rub their eyes a lot. Older children can get skin tags in the armpits because of the friction from repetitive motion when they play sports.
It is estimated that over half of the general population will have a skin tag at some point in their life. These bumps are more common in adults of middle age, and the chances increase once the adult reaches the age of 60.
When considering skin tag home removal it is wise to remember skin tags could be hereditary, or they may be caused by hormone elevations. If skin tags are removed there is a chance they could return again. However, there is no evidence to support the fact that once a skin tag is removed more will return in its place.
What are the Risks of Removing Skin Tags?
Before skin tag home removal is performed, it is a good idea to know the risks. First of all, skin tags have a blood supply. Therefore, if the skin tag is removed quickly there could be a lot of bleeding. Large skin tags should probably not be cut away due to the risk for bleeding.
It should be noted that anytime a skin tag is removed, if there is a wound left behind this wound is an open portal for infection to enter. It is very important this area be kept clean and dry. Covering it with a bandage for a day or two is a good idea. Any sign of infection should be treated by a doctor.
Skin Tag Home Removal Methods
What are the best skin tag removal methods? There are a few choices and the right choice will depend upon the number skin tags to be removed, the size of the skin tags and the location of the skin tags.
The easiest home removal method is the tie off method. This involves simply tying a piece of string or dental floss around the base of the skin tag. This will cut off the blood supply to the skin tag so it will eventually dry up. This method is best used for those who have only a few skin tags to be removed.
Another method of skin tag home removal is cutting the skin tags away. Sterilize a pair of sharp scissors or clippers by immersing them in alcohol. Then carefully clip off the tag at the base. As mentioned above, there will be some bleeding since these tags have a blood supply. Put a clean bandage over the area and apply pressure to stop the bleeding.
There is another method of skin tag removal that takes some to work. Make a paste of castor oil and baking soda. Apply this paste to the skin tags several times a day. After a few weeks, the skin tag will dry up and disappear. This method may be best if there are a lot of skin tags to be treated.
Sources:
http://www.wisegeek.com/can-i-remove-skin-tags-at-home.htm
http://www.medicinenet.com/skin_tag/article.htm#what4www.medicinenet.com/skin_tag/article.htm#what4