Skin tags are small soft growths of skin that are often attached to the body by a stalk. They are most likely to appear in areas where skin rubs against skin. Thus, they tend to appear in places like the eyelids, armpits, or neck. They can also develop under the breasts or between the folds of the groin. While harmless, skin tags are ugly and people, therefore, want to get rid of them. There are many home remedies for skin tags, however, if the skin tag is in a sensitive place, the patient should get it removed by a doctor.
Get rid of the fleshy outgrowths with our home remedies for skin tags!
1. Ligation
This is probably the most common home remedy for skin tags. Ligation is simply a fancy word for cutting off the circulation to the skin tag. The lack of blood will cause the skin tag to change color; this is normal. Pain, however, is not. If the skin tag starts to hurt, undo the string.
Instructions
- Tie a piece of string, dental floss or similar around the base of the skin tag.
- Tighten it so that it is firm, but don’t pull it so tight that it causes pain.
- Trim off the excess string.
- Keep it like this since it will die and fall off after two or three weeks.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar can kill skin tags by drying them out, and it takes about a week. It should not, however, be used near the anus or the eyes. The vinegar can cause some itching, and this is normal. Dilute the vinegar with water if the itching becomes too severe. Apple cider vinegar can also be used among various home remedies for warts.
Instructions
- Completely saturate a cotton ball with apple cider vinegar.
- Hold the cotton ball against the skin tag for several minutes.
- Move the cotton ball in a circular motion to increase absorption.
- Apply the vinegar three times a day until the tag falls off.
3. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is an effective anti-fungal treatment that can also make skin tags dry up and fall off. The oil can cause irritation, however, so it should not be used around the eyes. It should also be diluted with water or olive oil before use to reduce its irritating effects. To dilute the tea tree oil, add one or two drops of the oil to every tablespoon of the olive oil or water. Tea tree oil should be used three times a day. The skin tag should fall off within seven to ten days.
Instructions
- Mix the tea tree oil with olive oil or water.
- Dip a clean cotton ball into the mixture.
- Place three drops of oil onto the ball.
- Wipe the skin tag and the surrounding skin with the cotton ball.
4. Castor Oil Paste
Castor oil paste is another home remedy for skin tags, and it is said to be quite effective. It can be used as often as desired, but the patient should watch for signs of irritated skin. The skin tag will fall off after around seven to ten days. You can also use castor oil if you are dealing with stretch marks on your skin.
Instructions
- Mix one part of baking soda and two parts of castor oil in a small bowl until it becomes a thick paste.
- Use a cotton swab or ball to apply the paste to the skin tag.
- Cover the treatment site with a band-aid and wear it overnight.
- Remove the band-aid in the morning and use warm water to clean the skin tag.
- Repeat the procedure until the skin tag drops off.
5. Garlic
One of the home remedies for skin tags is garlic, and there are two simple methods for using it. Garlic works more quickly than some other methods; it can make the skin tag fall off after about a week. If the skin tag hasn’t fallen off by then, wait two or three days to give the skin a chance to breathe before starting another round of treatments.
Instructions
- Use a fresh clove of garlic.
- Either cut disc-shaped slices from the clove or grind the whole clove into a paste.
- Use a cotton swab to apply the paste once a day to the skin tag and then cover it with a band-aid.
- The other method for using garlic is to place a disc-shaped slice on top of the skin tag and use a band-aid to hold it in place.
6. Nail Polish
Nail polish is also one of the home remedies for skin tags. It works by cutting off the skin tag’s air supply and thus killing it. The effect is similar to that of ligation, but using nail polish is often easier. While colored nail polish is just as effective as clear nail polish, the latter attracts less attention if the skin tag is located somewhere not hidden by clothing.
Instructions
- Scrupulously clean the treatment area.
- Completely coat the skin tag with a single layer of nail polish.
- Let the polish dry.
- Apply the nail polish at least twice a day.
7. Lemon Juice
The citric acid in lemon juice can help remove skin tags. Be certain to use fresh lemon juice and not a concentrate, for the latter may contain additives that can irritate the skin. People with sensitive skin may find the lemon juice itself irritating. It is therefore prudent to test the lemon juice on a patch of skin first.
Instructions
- Cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice into a cup.
- Dip a cotton ball into the juice.
- Apply the juice to the skin tag and let the juice dry naturally.
- Repeat two or three times a day.
8. Banana Peel
Banana peel is another one of the home remedies for skin tags. It contains various nutrients and antioxidants that the skin absorbs, and some of these can prevent scarring. The banana peel needs to be fresh to be effective, and it should come from a ripe banana. Banana peel can also be used to relieve the itching caused by poison ivy, bug bites, and even psoriasis. It can be used to treat warts and some types of acne.
Instructions
- Cut a slice of banana peel.
- Place it so the inside is touching the skin tag.
- Use a band-aid to hold it in place.
- Leave it on overnight.
- Repeat the procedure until the skin tag falls off.
9. Ligation With Oregano Oil
One variation of the above home remedy calls for the use of oregano oil, which is an antiseptic. It will take 10 days for the skin tag to fall off. Oregano oil can irritate the skin, so if the skin turns red, discontinue the treatment. Oregano oil should also not be used on the eyelids. Since oregano oil is very strong, it should be mixed with coconut oil to dilute it.
Instructions
- Mix two or three drops of oregano oil with four or five drops of coconut oil.
- Use a clean cotton swab to apply five or six drops of the mix to the skin tag.
- Tie off the skin tag at the base.
- Continue applying five or six drops of oil to the tag three times a day until it dries up and falls off.
- After the tag falls off, rinse the treatment site with warm water.
- Apply an antibacterial ointment to the site and cover it with a bandage until it has healed.
10. Vitamin E
Vitamin E has many health benefits: it’s an antioxidant and can help renew skin cells. It comes in oil or tablet form. Using the tablet simply involves cutting it open and using the oil inside. Vitamin E can be used by itself or with garlic as one of the home remedies for skin tags.
Instructions
- Rub some Vitamin E oil on the skin tag twice a day.
- Cover the treatment site with a bandage for at least eight hours.
- Continue applying Vitamin E to the treatment site for several weeks after the skin tag’s removal to rehydrate the skin and prevent scarring or the appearance of another skin tag.
11. Duct Tape
Duct tape works by cutting off the skin tag’s air supply. It will then die and fall off after 10 to 14 days. Small band-aids can also work, but they tend to take longer, since they are designed to “breathe.” Duct tape can also be used to treat warts.
Instructions
- Make sure the skin is clean and dry.
- Cut a small piece of duct tape and place it on the skin tag.
- Make sure the tape is flat and doesn’t let in any air.
- Leave the tape alone until it starts to come off.
- Slowly remove the tape.
- If the skin tag comes off, remove the tape altogether.
- Replace the tape as necessary.
12. Pineapple Juice
Pineapple juice, like lemon juice, contains citric acid that can help break down skin tags. This juice also has healing properties that reduce the chances of developing scars. It has a very pleasant smell and is less irritating than lemon juice and some of the other treatments. You can, therefore, use it several times a day. After 10 to 14 days of treatment, the skin tag will fall off.
Instructions
- Dip a clean cotton ball in fresh pineapple juice.
- Rub it on the skin tag and let it dry.
- Don’t wash it off.
Conclusion
All in all, there are many home remedies for removing skin tags. One method that we do not recommend, however, is cutting the skin tag off with scissors or toenail clippers. This method has a high risk of bleeding and infection. Even the recommended home remedies for skin tags listed above might irritate the skin, and many of them should not be used around the eyes or other sensitive places. Skin tags in such places should be removed by a doctor. The various home remedies for skin tags still have the advantages of being simple and effective, and most involve the use of readily available items.
Leave a Reply