Skin Tags: Causes & How to Remove Them

No one can escape aging. After a certain age, it gets challenging to take care of your skin. But it’s imperative that you do so, for without it your skin will show signs of aging such as fine lines, pigmentation, wrinkles, dryness, or skin tags. What are skin tags you ask? Well, in this article, we take a look at the causes and treatments of skin tags in great detail.

What are skin tags?

Skin tags is a condition that affects nearly half the population. It is one of the most common signs of aging and is surely not a sign of healthy skin. Skin tags are mushy, non cancerous growths that typically appear within the skin folds of the armpits, eyelids, neck, breasts or around the area of the groin. For the uninitiated, these are nothing but loose collagen fibers that get wedged inside the thick folds of the skin.

What causes skin tags?

So what are the causes of skin tags? While it isn’t entirely clear why skin tags occur, researchers believe that this skin condition could develop with age due to friction that occurs when the skin folds rub against each other. Skin tags are usually seen among older, overweight people or those with diabetes. Most pregnant women are also susceptible to skin tags potentially because of hormonal changes. Alterations in the levels of estrogen and progesterone may also result in skin tags among people. Additionally, studies have shown a hereditary predisposition to the development of skin tags.

Skin tags are largely harmless, however, if these lesions get ripped by clothing or jewellery, then it could hurt real bad. Having said that, there are different ways of removing skin tags, right from over-the-counter medicines, home remedies, to surgical procedures. Let us look at them in detail below.

How to remove skin tags?

There are some techniques of skin tag removing that are quite effective. They are as follows.

Apple cider vinegar

There is some anecdotal evidence, which suggests that apple cider vinegar can remove skin tags. Those who want to try it need to soak a cotton ball in vinegar and place it on the skin tag. Affix it to the tag for 10 minutes and leave it that way for 10-15 minutes, two-three times in a day. This will eventually cause the tag to loosen up and fall. However, if you experience any skin irritation, owing to vinegar’s acidic nature, refrain from using this technique.

Skin tag removal patches

These patches are medicated. If one puts this patch on the skin tag in question for several days and weeks, it will eventually loosen up and fall away. Similarly, skin tag removal bands are also available, which can cut off the blood supply to the base of the skin tag, causing it to eventually fall off.

Skin tag removal creams

Removal creams don’t suit everyone but it is one of the most effective ways to get rid of skin tags. As per the label on most of these products, it takes 2-3 weeks for skin tags to fall off completely if you use it consistently every day. It is, however, recommended to clean the skin with an alcohol wipe and file it down prior to applying the cream to make sure the skin completely seeps it. Ensure that you pick up a cream that does not contain salicylic acid as it can cause your skin to dry up.

Tea tree oil

This is an important essential oil that works wonders on the skin. While there’s not much scientific evidence available on the same, anecdotal evidence suggests that this oil can help remove skin tags from scratch. Just as you would with apple cider vinegar, apply a few drops of the oil to a swab of cotton, and add it to the skin tag with a bandage. Allow it to stay that way for 10 minutes. Continue this process 2-3 times a day for a few days and weeks till they fall off. Having said that, if you have sensitive skin and are susceptible to skin allergies, either avoid this oil completely or use it with caution.

Cut or clip it

People tend to use nail clippers, scissors, sharp blade or any serrated tool to remove skin tags, however, it is highly risky and must be done only with the approval of a healthcare professional. Needless to say, this procedure is painful and can lead to bleeding and possible infections, if the skin and the tool in question is not cleaned thoroughly.

Final Takeaway

The aforementioned techniques are the answers you’ll get to the question - ‘How to get rid of skin tags?’ As mentioned above, developing a skin tag is not a matter of concern. However, it is an irritant, also because if you have one, chances are that many may grow around it. One of the best ways to prevent the occurance of skin tags is by ensuring you stay within a healthy weight range by adopting a healthy diet and exercise regime.

You can also try out Wellbeing Nutrition’s “Skin-Fuel”, which will help rebuild and strengthen the collagen matrix in your body, and help in getting you firm, youthful and glowing skin, while keeping you safe, without any side effects. It is the best way to keep your skin healthy as you age.

However, if you have any growth on your skin that itches, bleeds or changes in colour, it is advisable to contact your doctor without further delay. This is to make sure you don’t have any chronic skin condition.

References:

• El Safoury, Omar S.a; Abdel Halim, Dalia M.a; Hegazy, Rehab A.a; Gawdat, Heba I.a; Bahaa, Saraa; Samir, Nesrinc; El Din, Safinaz S.b Hyperpigmented and flesh-colored skin tags, Journal of the Egyptian Women's Dermatologic Society: September 2014 - Volume 11 - Issue 3 - p 167-172 doi: 10.1097/01.EWX.0000450447.82549.33. (https://journals.lww.com/jewds/Fulltext/2014/09000/Hyperpigmented_and_flesh_colored_skin_tags___what.3.aspx)
• Skin tags: A link between lesional mast cell count/tryptase expression and obesity and dyslipidemia, Samar Abdallah M Salem, Enas AS Attia, Wesam M Osman, Marwa A El Gendy, Indian Journal of Dermatology, 2013, (https://www.e-ijd.org/article.asp?issn=0019-5154;year=2013;volume=58;issue=3;spage=240;epage=240;aulast=Salem)
• Tripathy T, Singh BS, Kar BR. Association of skin tag with metabolic syndrome and its components: A case–control study from Eastern India. Indian Dermatol Online J 2019;10:284-7. (https://www.idoj.in/article.asp?issn=2229-5178;year=2019;volume=10;issue=3;spage=284;epage=287;aulast=Tripathy)
• Fredriksson CH, Ilias M, Anderson CD. New mechanical device for effective removal of skin tags in routine health care. Dermatol Online J. 2009 Feb 15;15(2):9. PMID: 19336026. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19336026/)