How To Make A Skin Tag Fall Off

Skin tags are very common and almost half of population has them. They are harmless and not a cause of concern in most cases. However sometimes they're just "in the way". You might have it on your neck and you really love to wear that choker, or it may be on your chest where your necklace gets stuck to it and its like an "ouch" moment.

Skin tags occur especially where the skin creases or folds. While there are several areas where skin tags can appear on your body, most common ones are eyelids, neck, under the breasts, and underarms. 

Skin tags don't require any treatment but you might be considering removing them for aesthetic reasons. Most people prefer OTC or home remedies to avoid outrageous bills from the dermatologists as skin tag removal is not covered by insurance companies if the reason behind the removal is cosmetic or aesthetic.

Common reasons why skin tags occur

• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Pregnancy
• Dyslipidemia
• Hypertension
• Insulin resistance
• Hormonal changes
• High blood pressure
• High cholestrol levels
• Estrogen level changes
• Progesterone level changes
• Human papilloma virus (HPV)
• If family members also have skin tags

Over-the-counter treatment for skin tags

Most OTC treatments work on the principle of cryotherapy and cauterization. In cryotherapy you freeze off your skin tag and allow it to fall off (takes 7-10 days), while in cauterization you burn the skin tag with a probe to have it fall off (almost instant removal). You may also purchase Aven Buzz Skin Tag Remover Pen to do it yourself at home safely. Limited stock!

At home treatment for skin tags

The list actually goes on and on for home remedies to make the skin tags fall off, but the most common ones are:

• Skin tag removal using a thread
• Skin tag removal using a dental floss
• Applying essential oils
• Cutting off the skin tag
• Dimethly ether (a liquid nitrogen agent)
• Bands and patches
• Removal creams
• Apple cider vinegar
• Iodine

These methods are not recommended and can result into bleeding or an infection. However if the skin tag is really small, only then these methods should be considered. Cutting off the blood circulation to the skin tag can make it fall off. This can be achieved by tying the base of the skin tag with a dental floss or a thin cotton thread.

You should definitely not consider these methods if:

• the skin tag is located near eye
• the skin tag is on the genitals
• the size of the skin tag is larger than usual
• the skin tag has been itching, bleeding, and causing irritation or pain

Sources:

• Barbato, M., Barbaresco, G., Criado, P., & Vasconcelos, V. (2012, April). Association between multiple skin tags and insulin resistance. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 66(4), 1, AB127
  http://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(11)01765-8/abstract
• Maluki, A. H., & Abdullah, A. A. (2016, February). Metabolic associations with skin tags. International Journal of Dermatology and Clinical Research, 2(1), 003-011
  https://www.researchgate.net/publication/296666477_Metabolic_Associations_with_Skin_Tags
• Oakley, A. (2004). Skin tags
  https://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/skin-tags/
• Skin tags. (n.d.)
  http://www.aocd.org/?page=SkinTags