Does anyone have experience of getting rid of skin tags?

I did it myself once. I just stretched it out a bit and did a quick little slice at the root with a razor blade. A very brief little Ouch! moment, and it was done. Never came back.

Does this open for you? @Stinley

My doctor had suggested the string tying tactic to a friend and it worked for him. Don’t know how long it took but it wasn’t painful.

Here is a more specific link, and the one I was thinking of.

I’m a wuss with this so chopping it off myself is not an option. If I pull at it and it hurts, it makes me feel sick. I’m usually fairly stoical about pain so I am surprised at how sensitive I am about it hurting. Argh, some of those answers on that other thread. Nail clippers! No way.

I had 2 skin tags that annoyed me. One in my right crotch, and one under my right arm. I just checked, @Stinley, and my crotch tag is gone of it’s own volition. I guess it’s possible that your tag will leave if it’s bothered/constricted enough.

I have pulled two off. As others said, momentarily painful but that’s all.

Others I have had done by a dermatologist – their deal is that they will remove up to four at a single cosmetic price.

Skin tags that rub on clothes are not only painful but can cause other problems.

I have (and recommend) a full-body dermatological exam once a year. If my doctor finds tags he freezes off the small ones and snips larger ones. Both procedures are simple, fast and virtually pain-free—and as one who is conservative about medical issues, I prefer that it be done by a professional.

If it’s bleeding or painful the dermatologist (in the US) will remove it and insurance will pay for it because it’s not then purely cosmetic.

Apparently ,grapefruit seed extract makes them go away.My friend tried it and it worked. She had a lot of them.

Careful depending on location. I had skin tags that my doctor wouldn’t even remove because he was concerned the removal would cause problems (infection, damage to nearby muscles, etc) which isn’t worth the risk for a cosmetic issue. Mine were in a sensitive (and embarrassing) area though.

I would cut it off most likely unless it was big. Moles are different and I would go to a dermatologist for that.
Know that I am not a doctor.

I used a pocket knife both times I wanted one gone.

The dermatologist uses a scalpel and before you can blink an eye it’s gone.

Dutchess_III said that she simply took the iron from an arts and crafts woodburning kit and burned hers off. That’s one tough broad. She said it hurt for only a moment and there was no bleeding because of instant cauterization.

As a former RN, I would recommend at least consulting an herbal medical encyclopedia for homemade local anesthetics before taking DIII’s option. Lidocaine would be best, but it requires a prescription in the States. If you live near a serious boxing gym that trains contenders, and can get close to a cut man, he might let go of some. There are OTC Lidocaine ointments also, but they are weak.

Then I highly recommend applying triple antibiotic to the wound site the first day to prevent infection and neosporin thereafter at daily bandaid changes to promote healing. She didn’t say anything about scars, but after each wound is closed, I would recommend A&D ointment to help with that.

I’d like her to come here and tell that story again with more detail. She didn’t seem to think it was a big deal.

My dermatologist used a laser at $75 a pop. Painless, but he knew what he was doing.

Be aware also that skintags are often a sign of impending Diabetes II and you should get checked out for that as early as possible.

I’ve had them cut off (Dr had to put sutures on wound), used floss and just pulled them off if they were on neck and rubbing on shirt.

I’ve nipped a few off with nail clippers and then cleaned the area well with an antiseptic and used Neosporin for a few days. Never had an issue. Skin tags are not the same as moles that always need medical intervention.

Wood burning kit. Works like a charm and they don’t come back. It’s good for getting rid of all kids of unwanted blemishes.

LOL @Espiritus_Corvus I saw what you said up there! It’s a pin prick! Seriously, just a pin prick. The tabs don’t have nerves in them so that doesn’t hurt. Just a touch to the skin when you get to it cauterizes it.

My ex used to nag that I was going to get an infection because I was always using the thing to get rid of unwanted, little red freckles on my upper torso. I got the idea from the one time I went to the doc to have them removed. She used pretty much a wood burning kit! An Official Medical Instrument, of course, but virtually the same thing. I never did get an infection, tho, of course. It’s not like a third degree burn or something.

^^Hmm. Well, I guess I’ll have to find an art supply store and pick up a wood burning kit. I’ve got a lot of tags and would like to see them gone but really don’t want to be walking around with little dental floss bow ties all over me. And I no longer can do $75 a pop. Guess I’ll give it a try. You’ll be hearing from me on this.

“You’ll be hearing from me on this.” Not screaming I hope! It’s hard to do, really, cause you know it’s gonna sting, and you’re doing to yourself, looking in a mirror, but it doesn’t sting bad and it’s gone, almost instantly. All that is left is a tiny, little, tee tiny scab.
Actually, if you could find someone to do it for you, with a steady hand, that’s best. Preferably someone who likes you.

I recently, a few weeks ago, stepped on a sharp stick in sandals and punctured my heel.
My Tetanus shot is current but I was out of any human antiseptic so walked down to the tack room here for a squirt of Vetericyn.

www.vetericyn.com

I’ve been using animal/livestock products on my wounds forever. A big bottle of ranch supply Betadine is cheap and works great.
For veterinary use only” means nothing when it comes to many products. haha

I sterilize the tag with alcohol and snip them off with a sharp pair of small scissors.

Yes, I had a skin-tag removed for cosmetic reasons. The dermatologist used a bit of local anesthesia before the procedure.

If you live in the U.S., it’s worth mentioning that you’ll likely pay 100% of the fee. Unless a skin anomaly looks suspicious – unusual for a skin-tag – your health insurance won’t pay for its removal.

Sounds to me like a pair of good quality toenail clippers are the tagget ticket. Mine are rounded out to take bites, unlike fingernail clippers that are rounded in.
I’m too much of a wuss to skin-tag with the pliers kind.

When you clip them don’t they grow back?

I was getting a few on my neck and started using a glycolic tonor on them and they disappeared

Update – I have tied a jaunty piece of red cotton thread on it. I tied a single knot then looped the thread around it again and tied another single knot. There is a fairly long piece of thread at either end.

It was a little painful to put on. I also tightened it again this morning, by looping the thread around again and tying a single knot. This was painful again. My clothes cover it but the thread is tugging slightly so I may put a plaster (bandaid) on it to stop that happening. I’ve been really brave though…

This morning it was much darker in colour and when I looked just now, it seems a little smaller too. I think it’s working! Watch this space.

@Dutchess_III: When I had one removed by the dermatologist, he told me it could grow back, depending on the location. Apparently if it’s in a sweaty area it’s more likely to make a skin tag. I’m not sure why. Maybe the sweat clogs the pore and that’s what makes the skin tag? Anyway, mine never returned.

I had a good friend that was very overweight and had a lot of weight in her chin (big double chin). She had a lot of skin tags all around her neck and chin area. She had them all removed (by the dermatologist who removed mine, covered by insurance). I don’t think hers grew back. I’m not sure why the neck and chin area seem to be popular places for skin tags. Maybe because people have sweaty necks?

@Stinley sounds like an ongoing kind of pain. That’s why I like the burning method. One, quick nip of “pain” (that’s not really pain, more like stepping on a sticker) and done.

I prefer the snip and clip method, fast, easy, over and done with.

It has gone! Went very black and not at all painful so I pulled at it and it came off. I would do that method again. I could not snip it off myself.

How long did it take @Stinley?

Two days, one night. Not too long.

Skin tags are usually caused by the accumulation of collagen and blood vessels in some thicker parts of the skin, which mainly result from the rubbing of skin. Apart from surgery as the condition gets worse, you can try some home remedies to treat them. Banana Peel, Alora Vera, Garlic. Lemon Juice are some suggestion for you. Crush and crub them on skin tags in 1 or 2 minutes. You should repeat it once per day and last in 1 month.

How does one go about tying a jaunty piece of thread around a skin tag in one’s own armpit? I think that’s my last one. The tag beside my balls seems to have displaced itself.
TMI!!

Er, yes. TMI. Big time!

I have now seen a device which fires a tiny elastic band around the tag. I would buy this if I had any more.

Cool. Kids today get all of the cool stuff.

Wow.
You can spend anywhere from $21 to $59 on that little baby, @Stinley. That would buy a lot of thread or fishing line.

Yeah, but it would get to those hard to reach places…

True, true. Still be difficult to get to the one in my armpit.

Aloe vera can help you with this problem because it has healing propeties and then eliminating the unwanted skin outgrowth. Besides, banana peels can help thanks to its strong antioxidant compunds and the enzyme that treats skin tag both naturally and effectively.