From the Guidelines
Excision of skin tags is not recommended due to a high rate of postoperative complications, including poor wound healing and subsequent proctectomy, as reported in a study by the American Gastroenterological Association 1. To remove skin tags, several methods can be considered, prioritizing minimal risk of complications and promoting quality of life.
- For small skin tags, over-the-counter products containing salicylic acid or tea tree oil can be applied directly to the skin tag twice daily until it falls off, which may take 2-3 weeks.
- Alternatively, the string method can be tried by tying dental floss or thin thread tightly around the base of the skin tag to cut off blood supply, causing it to fall off within 1-2 weeks.
- For larger or numerous skin tags, consulting a healthcare provider is recommended, as they can remove them through freezing (cryotherapy) or burning (electrocautery) in a quick office procedure. It is essential to avoid attempting to cut skin tags yourself, as this can lead to infection or excessive bleeding, negatively impacting morbidity and mortality. Skin tags are benign growths caused by friction or skin rubbing against skin, commonly occurring in skin folds, and their removal is generally safe with minimal scarring, if done properly by a healthcare professional. If a skin tag changes color, bleeds, or grows rapidly, consulting a doctor immediately is crucial, as these could indicate other skin conditions that may affect quality of life.
From the Research
Methods for Removing Acrochordons (Skin Tags)
- Tissue forceps can be used as a simple and effective instrument for treating skin tags, with a study showing successful treatment of 37 skin tags without cosmetic defects or recurrences 2
- A novel medical device in the form of a flat adhesive patch can apply pressure to the base of a skin tag, leading to its removal within 3-6 days, with a success rate of 90% for lesions up to 1 mm in base 3
- Cryotherapy is an efficient method to treat skin tags, with a study showing that the Pixie® Skin Tag cryogenic pen can completely remove 64.3% of skin tags, with half of the skin tags being cleared after one treatment 4
- Ligaclip can be used to remove preauricular skin tags in newborns, with a study showing successful removal of skin tags in 19 newborns without any cases of edema, cellulitis, clip loss, or bleeding 5
- Other methods for removing skin tags include expressing lesions, topical hydrogen peroxide, and various topical treatments, although the evidence for these methods is limited and inconclusive 6