Is it safe to remove skin tags at home? Dermatologists weigh in.
Skin tags are benign growths that can pop up in a few areas around the body, from your underarms, to the neck, to under the breasts. They’re completely harmless, so it’s fine to leave them alone if they don’t bother you. But if you do want to remove them, there are options.
There are plenty of over-the-counter products marketed as skin tag removers, and quite a few natural remedies that might help too. But is it ever a good idea to attempt getting rid of skin tags at home? Some things should just be left to the professionals. Here’s what dermatologists recommend.
Can I remove a skin tag on my own?
Technically, you can. In actuality, you probably shouldn’t. Skin tags usually don’t go away by themselves, and if you’re tempted by the many products marketed as skin tag removers, it’s important you understand the risks, says Dr. Jennifer Shastry, a Northwestern Medicine dermatologist.
If you attempt to remove the skin tag on your own, disrupting the skin barrier can leave you at a risk for infection, uncontrolled bleeding, and/or scarring. “I have seen patients come in with chemical burns on their skin from attempting at-home skin tag removal,” Shastry says. “So, I really would advise in-office removal, if that was desired.”
“I don't recommend any at-home treatments since I have seen terrible infections and scarring from people who have tried at home,” agrees Dr. Hayley Goldbach, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Brown University. “Many of the products marketed to remove skin tags are extremely harsh and can result in burns on the skin.”
The same logic applies to reported natural remedies for removing skin tags, such as applying tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar or garlic to the skin tag. “They are unlikely to be completely effective and pose a significant risk of irritating the skin and causing rashes,” says Shastry.
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How to safely get rid of skin tags
If the skin tag is growing in size, or just generally becoming bothersome, dermatologists can perform a few in-office treatments to effectively and safely remove skin tags.
Depending on the size and location of the skin tag, you have a few options: snip removal, cryotherapy (a cold liquid nitrogen spray), cauterization (using heat energy to burn the skin tag), and shave removal (which is typically reserved for larger skin tags), says Shastry.
Skin tag removal often isn’t covered by health insurance, says Goldbach. This is because it’s usually considered to be a cosmetic treatment.
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What are skin tags a warning sign of?
Skin tags aren’t typically dangerous or a warning sign of anything, says Goldbach. However, in rare cases, seeing a cluster of new skin tags could indicate there’s change happening within your body (and potential underlying illness), in which case you should always consult your dermatologist, who may direct you to a healthcare provider.
Regardless, seeing any type of new, prominent growth on your skin always warrants a check-up with your dermatologist, especially if it’s expanding in size, changing in color or painful or itchy, says Shastry. Sometimes, what you think might be a benign skin tag could actually be something more serious, like a melanoma.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How to get rid of skin tags: Why you probably shouldn't do it at home
