Skin tags are medically known as acrochordon. They are small and soft skin outgrows which appear on many parts of the body. Most of the time, skin tags are painless and harmless.
Primarily, skin tags are considered a cosmetic problem. Skin tags are typically flesh-colored; and they can be wrinkled or smooth, and they can vary in size. Skin tags are composed of collagen fibers and blood vessels surrounded by the skin.
The cause of skin tags is unknown. It is believed that it has something to do with friction. The leading contributing factor is rubbing skin against skin.
The common skin tags are located in the underarms, eyelids, stomach, groin, breasts, and neck. Heredity can also increase the chances of someone having skin tags. There was one study that said that as much as 46% of people who suffer from skin tags are caused by heredity [1]. Also, there are other factors that could lead to skin tags, such as hormonal changes during pregnancy, diabetes, and the presence of certain forms of HPV (human papillomavirus).
You can consider excision, ligation, cryosurgery, and cauterization to remove skin tags. These procedures are done by a dermatologist or a trained medical professional.
Also, you can use some of the below-mentioned home remedies for removing skin tags. You should know that home remedies are less invasive, and they can give you the same positive results.
You should wash your skin with soap and warm water and pat dry before you apply some of the mentioned home remedies. If you have skin tags, then you must talk with your doctor before you start using some of the below-mentioned home remedies. He or she will tell you what the best is for you.
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Banana peel
Banana peel is also a very effective home remedy for skin tags because it has antioxidant properties. Also, it has enzymes that can help to dissolve the skin tags naturally. You should cut a small piece of banana peel, and you should place the inside part of it over the skin tag. You should wrap a bandage over the peel and let it stay there throughout the night. The next morning, you should remove the peel and then wash the area with water. You should repeat this natural treatment for a few days until the skin tags drop off. [2]
Oregano oil
This home remedy has antiseptic properties, which can help to dry out skin tags. When this oil is applied topically, then it serves as a cleansing and numbing agent. You should mix together 2 drops of oregano oil and 4 drops of coconut oil. You should apply this mixture to the skin tag. You should allow it to dry and then wash it off using warm water. You should repeat this natural treatment 3 times per day until the skin tag drops off. You should follow these home remedies persistently and patiently until you get the desired results.
Onion juice
This natural cure is acidic in nature, which means that it can help you to rid of the skin tags. You should cut one onion into small pieces. You should add ½ teaspoon of salt to it and let it stay there throughout the night in a closed container. The next morning, you should extract the juice from the salted onion and let it stay aside. Before you go to bed, you should apply the juice to the skin tag and cover it with a bandage. The next morning, you should wash the area with warm water. You should repeat this natural treatment every night for a period of a week or until the skin tag comes off.
Fenugreek seeds
Fenugreek seeds have powerful antioxidants, which can help to remove the dead skin cells in which skin tags are also included [3]. These seeds can help to shrink skin tags until they disappear completely. You should soak 2 or 3 teaspoons of fenugreek seeds in one glass of warm water overnight. In the morning, you should strain fenugreek seeds and collect the water in another bowl. You should drink this water in the morning on an empty stomach. Also, you can put some of that water on the skin tag, and you should chew the soaked fenugreek seeds. You should repeat this natural treatment for 1 or 2 weeks.
Garlic
Fresh garlic is one of the best home remedies for many different diseases in which skin tags are also included. It is believed that enzymes that are present in garlic can help to shrink skin tags naturally. You should crush a few garlic cloves to make a paste. You should apply this paste to the skin tags. You should cover it with a bandage and let it stay there throughout the night. The next morning, you should wash the area with warm water. You should repeat this natural treatment on daily basis for a period of a few days until the skin tag comes off. [4]
Castor oil
This is also a very effective home remedy for removing skin tags. It can help to dissolve and eliminate unusual skin growths, and it won’t leave a scar. Also, it has many nutrients which can help your skin to be healthy. You should prepare a paste by mixing one part of baking soda with two parts of castor oil. Also, if you want, you can add a few drops of peppermint oil or lemon oil to the paste. You should apply this paste to the skin tag. You should cover it with a bandage and let it stay throughout the night. The next morning you should wash it off using warm water. You should repeat this process for about 2 weeks or until the skin tag is gone. Also, you can rub some castor oil on your skin tags several times a day to get rid of them very quickly. [5]
Tea tree oil
This home remedy is very acidic in nature which makes it one of the best home remedies for skin tag. It will dry out the skin tag, and gradually it will fall off on its own without having any pain. Tea tree oil has antiseptic properties, which will protect your skin after the skin tag has been removed [6]. You should dip a cotton ball in water and squeeze out the excess water. You should put 3 or 4 drops of tea tree oil on the wet cotton ball. You should rub the cotton ball over the skin tag and massage gently in circular motions. You should let it stay there for a few hours before you wash it off. You should repeat this natural treatment 3 times per day for a period of a few weeks or until the skin tag vanishes. If you have very sensitive skin, then you should dilute the tea tree oil with an equal amount of water before you apply it.
Apple cider vinegar
This is the best home remedy that you can use if you suffer from skin tags. It has acidic nature, which will break down the excess cells in the skin tag, and will naturally remove them. You should dip a cotton swab in apple cider vinegar and then apply it directly to the skin tag. You will notice a stinging sensation for a few minutes, but soon it will stop. Let it stay there for 3 or 4 hours, and then wash it off using warm water. You should follow this home remedy at least 3 times per day for a period of 2 – 4 weeks to eliminate skin tags. If you have very sensitive skin, then you should dilute the apple cider vinegar with a little water before you apply it to your skin tags. You should apply Vitamin E oil or olive oil to the affected area on a regular basis because it can help to avoid scarring.
Vitamin E oil
This type of oil has antioxidant properties, and it has skin regeneration potential. This is a reason why Vitamin E oil is considered one of the best home remedies for removing skin tags. Break open a Vitamin E capsule to extract the pure oil. You should apply a thin layer of oil to your skin tag. You should cover the area with a bandage and let it stay there throughout the night. The next morning, you should reapply Vitamin E oil and then apply a new bandage. Also, before you go to bed, reapply this natural cure. If you want to have the best results, then you should repeat it in a period of ten days. [7]
Aloe Vera
This home remedy is used to treat many skin problems in which skin tags are also included because they possess healing properties [8]. Also, this home remedy has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can be very effective in the treatment of skin tags. You should apply fresh Aloe Vera gel on the skin tag. You should massage gently in a circular motion for a period of a few seconds. You should allow the gel to be completely absorbed into your skin. You should repeat at least 3 times per day for a period of 2 weeks.
Pineapple juice
You should apply pineapple juice every day at least two to three times without rinsing it off. You should repeat this natural treatment for at least ten days until the skin tag is completely scraped off.
References
[1] Bailey E. Are skin tags a form of skin cancer? Health Central: Skin Cancer. 2012. Retrieved from https://www.healthcentral.com/article/understanding-the-stages-of-melanoma.
[2] Azmi N. Extraction of antioxidant activity, phenolic content and minerals in banana peel. University Malaysia Putung (Thesis). 2010.
[3] Wani SA, Kumar P. Fenugreek: A review on its nutraceutical properties and utilization in various food products. Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences. 2018;17(2):97-106.
[4] Pazyar N, Feily A. Garlic in dermatology. Dermatology Reports. 2011;3(1):e4.
[5] Patel VR, Dumancas GG, Kasi Viswanath LC, et al. Castor oil: Properties, uses, and optimization of processing parameters in commercial production. Lipid Insights. 2016;9:1-12.
[6] Carson CF, Hammer KA, Riley TV. Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil: a review of antimicrobial and other medicinal properties. Clinical Microbiology Reviews. 2006;19(1):50-62.
[7] Schagen SK, Zampeli VA, Makrantonaki E, Zouboulis CC. Discovering the link between nutrition and skin aging. Dermato Endocrinology. 2012;4(3):298-307.
[8] Moriyama M, Moriyama H, Uda J, et al. Beneficial effects of the genus aloe on wound healing, cell proliferation, and differentiation of epidermal keratinocytes. PLoS One. 2016;11(10):e0164799.
