Unlike a mole, a skin tag is different in that it is similar in color to your normal skin and is easily moved about, since it is attached to the body by a small stem (also known as a stalk). Skin tags occur most frequently on areas of the body exposed to friction from clothing: neck, underarms, and upper thighs.
While not dangerous, you might want to try skin tag removal at home if you find yours unsightly or constantly rubbed and irritated by clothing or jewelry. You might also wish to remove them to make shaving the underarm or upper thigh area an easier process.
The most important thing to bear in mind when doing skin tag removal at home is cleaniness. You don’t want to invite an infection by using unsanitized instruments on unwashed skin.
You’ll need the following items to remove skin tags yourself:
1. Nail clippers or small, sharp sewing scissors
2. Dental floss or sturdy white thread
3. Rubbing alcohol, peroxide, anti-bacterial ointment
4. Gauze pads
5. Bandaids
6. Ice cube to numb area (optional)
Sterilize clippers or scissors by soaking them 5 minutes in rubbing alcohol. Thoroughly clean hands with soap and water and a bit of alcohol. Use the same process to clean the tag and surrounding skin. If you wish, numb the area with an ice cube and dry with a sterile guaze pad.
Use dental floss or thread to tightly tie the skin tag at the base of its stalk. Place scissors or nail clippers directly above the tied off area and firmly snip off the tag.
Depending on the size of the stalk, this skin tag removal method is relatively painless. There may or may not be some bleeding.
Once tag is removed, dab area with a bit of peroxide, dry with gauze, and rub a small amount of anti-bacterial ointment over the area. If the tag was large or you experience some bleeding, cover the area with a bandaid.
Clean area twice daily and reapply ointment until area is healed. If you see signs of an infection, which is rare, consult your doctor.
