Usually occurring in the folds of the skin of the neck, armpits, breasts, groin area, and eyelids, skin tags (or acrochordons) are soft, noncancerous growths. Collagen fibers loosen inside thicker areas of the skin, causing these growths.
It is normal to develop skin tags around the eyes, which are soft, noncancerous growths that occur in the folds of the eyelid’s skin. In thicker areas of the skin, these growths can get lodged inside loose collagen fibers.
It is generally harmless to have skin tags around eyes, but some people may find them to be bothersome or cosmetically undesirable.
The removal of these growths can be achieved through cryotherapy, surgical excision, or over-the-counter methods. To ensure safety and effectiveness, however, one should consult a dermatologist before trying any removal method, especially near sensitive areas such as the eyes.
Cryotherapy, in particular, is one of the most common methods of removing these skin lesions. With due caution, it is possible to freeze and dry out skin tags at home and remove them with over-the-counter remedies.
Most of these skin lesions are harmless, but if jewelry or clothing catches them, they can be painful. Fortunately, relief is available for those who are bothered by these growths. Acrochordons can be removed surgically, with over-the-counter products, and through home remedies.
How to get rid of skin tags at home
There is typically no need for treatment or a doctor’s visit for skin tags. There are products already in your medicine cabinet or kitchen that may be able to help you remove a tag. Acrochordons are usually dried out until they shrink in size and fall off at home.
Tea tree oil
Dilutions of tea tree oil in carrier oils are safe for use on the skin, because it has antiviral and antifungal properties.
Start by washing the affected area. Apply the oil to the skin tag using a cotton swab or Q-tip. A bandage should be placed over the area overnight. After several nights of this treatment, the tag will dry out and fall off.
Apple cider vinegar
Using a cotton swab soaked in apple cider vinegar, wipe the skin tag with the cotton swab. The section should be bandaged for 15 to 30 minutes, then washed. Several weeks later, repeat the process daily.
Skin tags fall off as a result of the acidity in apple cider vinegar breaking down the tissue surrounding them.
Vitamin E
The aging process may contribute to the development of acrochordons. It may take a couple of days for a liquid vitamin E application to vanish a skin tag since this substance is an antioxidant that prevents wrinkles.
The tag will fall off once the oil is massaged over it several times.
Garlic
By reducing inflammation, garlic improves skin appearance. Garlic can be applied over a skin tag and covered overnight with a bandage to rid it naturally.
The area should be washed in the morning. The acrochordon should shrink and disappear after repeated application.
Banana peel
Skin tags on banana peels shouldn’t be thrown away. Banana peels also work well for drying out skin tags. There may be an explanation for this found in them due to their antioxidant properties.
A banana peel should be applied over the tag and covered with a bandage. The tag should fall off eventually if you do this every night.
A list of over-the-counter skin tag products
There are several over-the-counter (OTC) products available at pharmacies and grocery stores that can help you remove a skin tag safely, in addition to home remedies.
Using freezing kits, unwanted skin tissue can be destroyed using cryotherapy (extremely low temperatures).
In order to destroy benign lesions like acrochordons, a temperature of 4°F to 58°F is needed.
It is recommended to look for a wart removal kit available over-the-counter that is capable of reaching the lowest temperature when it is used appropriately. Despite the potential for irritation and contact dermatitis, mokaya points out that removal creams and cryotherapy can still be helpful for short-term uses.
Choosing the right time to see a doctor
It is possible to confuse skin tags with warts and moles, which are other skin conditions. Due to the possibility of some moles being cancerous, you should have your skin tags examined by a doctor. Both dermatologists and family physicians can diagnose them. Most commonly, these specialists will perform a visual exam in person, but telehealth may also be an option.
Your doctor may perform a biopsy if the lesion looks suspicious or if it is atypical.
Skin tag surgery
Outpatient surgery is commonly used to remove acrochordons. The size and location of the skin tag will determine what procedure your doctor performs after numbing the area with a local anesthetic:
- Cauterization Process: The skin tag is removed with heat by your doctor.
- Cryosurgery procedure: You are sprayed with liquid nitrogen by your doctor, which freezes off the skin tag.
- An electrocautery procedure: A specialized electric current can also be used to burn off the skin tag.
- Ligation process: The blood flow can sometimes be cut off with surgical threads to let acrochordons fall off on their own.
- Surgical procedure: a surgeon will remove the skin tag with surgical scissors by cutting it at its base. In order to determine whether bandages or stitches are necessary, the size and location of the lesion must be determined.
Tips for aftercare following removal
The removal of skin tags is usually free of infections and complications. The scar left behind by removal can gradually fade over time for some people.
Immediately following the removal of an acrochordon, apply antibiotic ointment and cover the area with a bandage. As a result, infection risks are reduced. Symptoms such as pain or bleeding should be reported to your doctor.
During a skin tag removal procedure, your doctor may instruct you to keep the wound dry for at least 48 hours and then rinse it gently with soap and water afterward.
In addition to checking the wound and removing any stitches, your doctor may schedule a follow-up appointment.
Skin tags: what causes them?
There is no clear explanation for why skin tags form. It is likely that friction plays a role in their development since they usually appear in skin folds. Blood vessels and collagen surround an outer layer of skin, which we know is made up of blood vessels.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) and acrochordons are associated with one another. Skin tags may also develop as a result of insulin resistance, which can lead to type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. Those with insulin resistance have difficulty absorbing glucose from their blood.
According to a study published in 2011 in the Indian Journal of Dermatology, the presence of multiple skin growths is associated with insulin resistance, a high number of body mass index, and high triglycerides.
Pregnancy can also cause acrochordons. Pregnancy hormones and weight gain may be responsible for this. An endocrine issue or hormone imbalance can cause multiple skin tags in rare cases.
Genetics may also play a role. Families are not uncommon to have them in multiple members. It is not contagious to have skin tags, however.
Conclusion
In most cases, acrochordons do not cause irritation, so they don’t need to be treated.
Despite the effectiveness and affordability of home remedies and OTC products, if a skin tag fails to respond to home treatment, bleeds, or increases in size, you should see your physician.
In most cases, skin tags can be successfully removed without causing great pain or scarring.
Article edited and fact checked by our editorial team.
References:
- El Safoury OS, Ibrahim M. A clinical evaluation of skin tags in relation to obesity, type 2 diabetis mellitus, age, and sex. Indian J Dermatol. 2011 Jul;56(4):393-7. doi: 10.4103/0019-5154.84765. PMID: 21965846; PMCID: PMC3179001.
- Chapter 157. skin tag. Usatine R.P., & Smith M.A., & Chumley H.S., & Mayeaux E.J., Jr.(Eds.), The Color Atlas of Family Medicine, 2e. The McGraw-Hill Companies
- Tamparo, Carol (2011). Fifth Edition: Diseases of the Human Body. Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis.
- Pezeshkpoor F, Jafarian AH, Ghazvini K, Yazdanpanah MJ, Sadeghian A, Esmaili H, Karrabi M, Rohani F, Joushan B (May 2012). “An association of human papillomaviruses low risk and high risk subtypes with skin tag“. Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences. 15 (3): 840–4
- Pandey A, Sonthalia S. Skin Tags. 2023 Jul 31. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan–. PMID: 31613504.