From the Research
Fusidic acid is not typically used for treating skin tags, and the most effective alternative is cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen, as it is a simple and effective method with minimal complications, as shown in a study published in the Australian family physician 1. For skin tag removal, several alternatives exist, including:
- Cryotherapy (freezing with liquid nitrogen)
- Electrocautery (burning the tag off)
- Surgical excision (cutting the tag off with scissors or a scalpel)
- Ligation (tying off the base of the tag with a string or dental floss to cut off blood supply) Over-the-counter options include products containing salicylic acid or tea tree oil, though these are less effective and take longer to work. A novel medical device in the form of a flat adhesive patch applies pressure to the base of a skin tag, leading to its removal within 3-6 days, as shown in a study published in the Dermatology online journal 2. Additionally, ethyl chloride spray anesthesia can be used for skin tag excision with micro-scissor and micro-forceps, providing a painless and comfortable procedure, as shown in a study published in the Aesthetic plastic surgery journal 3. For larger or numerous skin tags, a dermatologist visit is recommended as they can remove them in a single office visit with minimal discomfort and reduced risk of scarring or infection. Skin tags are benign growths composed of loose collagen fibers and blood vessels surrounded by skin, and their removal is generally considered cosmetic rather than medically necessary unless they become irritated or infected. Cryosurgery is a valuable addition to the clinical services offered by family physicians, and it can be used to initiate gradual controlled destruction of many common skin lesions, including skin tags, as shown in a study published in the American family physician journal 4. Anal skin tags can be removed in a simple manner using components provided with the stapling kit, as shown in a study published in the Colorectal disease journal 5. The most recent and highest quality study recommends cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen as the most effective method for skin tag removal, with a success rate of 90% for lesions up to 1 mm in base, as shown in the study published in the Dermatology online journal 2.