Show your doctor the skin tag or tags you want removed. Explain your reason for wanting the tag removed. For example, you could say, “This skin tag on my neck keeps getting caught on my necklace and I’d like to prevent this from happening again. ” Ask your doctor any questions about skin tags or the removal procedure that you may have. Discuss your removal options with your doctor to figure out the best choice for your skin tags. Your doctor may use one of the following methods to remove your skin tag(s): cryotherapy, surgical excision, electrotherapy, or ligation. [3] X Trustworthy Source DermNet NZ Online clinical resource website written and run by dermatologists providing evidence-based information about dermatology and skin health Go to source
Allow your doctor to wipe the area with an alcohol swab or another disinfectant. It may feel cool on your skin, but will not cause you any pain.
Be aware that a small bubble may develop around the injection site. This is completely normal and will disappear. Allow your doctor to probe the injection site to ensure that your skin is numb and ready for the procedure. Your doctor may use the tip of the injection needle to check for numbness at the injection site and surrounding skin. You should feel no pain or sharp sensations. You may feel a bit of pressure, which is normal, but there should be no pain. Make sure to let your doctor know if you feel any pain or discomfort when he or she probes for numbness.
Cryotherapy, which involves freezing the skin tag with a chemical agent such as liquid nitrogen. When your doctor applies the agent to your skin, it may sting and be painful. You may also have immediate swelling and redness. A few hours after treatment, see if a blister develops at the site. If it does, leave it alone and allow the blister to form a scab, which causes the blister to dry up. At this point, you will notice that your skin tag is gone. [7] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Family Physicians Organization devoted to improving the health of patients, families, and communities Go to source Excision, which involves cutting out your skin tag. Your doctor may choose this option if the skin tag appears abnormal, if it is larger than normal, or is in a fold of skin. Let your doctor mark the incision site with a surgical marker that won’t stain your skin. Your doctor will cut around and under the skin tag with a scalpel and/ or sharp scissors. You may experience slight discomfort, but the anesthetic should control any pain. Your doctor may take care of any bleeding with cautery, which may hiss and smell like burning, but will not hurt you. If necessary, your doctor will suture the incision site with stitches. Electrosurgery, which uses a high-frequency, alternating electric current to generate heat that will cauterize and remove your skin tag. Let your doctor use the electrosurgical probe to dehydrate or cut off the skin tag unless you have a pacemaker or cardiac-implanted device. Electrosurgery can cause these devices to malfunction. You shouldn’t feel any pain with this procedure, though you may have some mild discomfort. Be aware that you may see sparks if you have electrosurgery. There is also a risk of electric shock if your doctor doesn’t use the electrosurgical device properly. [8] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Family Physicians Organization devoted to improving the health of patients, families, and communities Go to source Ligation, which involves tying string around the skin tag to cut off its blood supply. Allow your doctor to tie a piece of sterile string or even dental floss around the neck, or base, of your skin tag. Leave on the ligature for as long as your doctor specifies or until the skin tag falls off. [9] X Research source
Make sure you understand your doctor’s instructions. Ask any questions you may have and don’t hesitate to call the doctor if you are unsure of something. If you have excess bleeding or an infection of the removal site, then make sure that you contact a doctor. Your doctor maybe able to give you an antibiotic for infection.
Apply a new bandage with some light pressure if the site bleeds. If you have excessive or prolonged bleeding, contact your doctor. Leave on the bandage for at least one day after your doctor removes the skin tag. Keep the site as dry as possible to promote healing and inhibit bacteria from entering the wound. This includes not showering for at least a day after the procedure.
Choose a bandage that allows the removal site to breathe. Sufficient air flow can help heal the wound. You can get breathable bandages at most drug stores and at many grocery stores. Your doctor may also provide you with dressings for the wound. Continue changing the dressing for as long as your doctor instructs or until you see no open wounds. Depending on your removal procedure, your doctor may tell you to discontinue covering the site with a bandage after the first day.
Use warm water and any soap you have to disinfect your hands. Rub your hands with the soap and water for at least twenty seconds. [14] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
Use soap and water to clean the site, just as you would to wash your hands. Most soaps or cleansers can disinfect the site, though you may want to avoid scented products to avoid irritation. Rinse the site thoroughly with warm water to remove soap residue. Apply hydrogen peroxide to the site if your doctor instructs you to do so or if you notice any redness that might indicate an infection. If the site seems fine, you may find that changing the bandages and washing it every day is enough to keep it clean. [16] X Trustworthy Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital Go to source You may want to use an antimicrobial ointment to help with the healing process. Pat the site gently dry before you cover it with a bandage. [17] X Research source
Ask your doctor give you a prescription for a pain reliever if you are experiencing severe pain. Pain is generally mild and does not require narcotics, but you can take an over-the-counter NSAID for pain, such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
Be aware that picking at the site can cause an infection or even make your skin form a larger scar than it otherwise would have. [20] X Research source
Avoid bumping the removal site or doing any activity, such as yoga, that may stretch your skin. These can cause bleeding and stretching of your skin and may cause your skin to scar more profusely.
Remember that some bleeding or draining pink fluid is normal for a couple of days after the procedure. If the site is soaking bandages with blood, then you should seek medical attention. Other signs of infection that require immediate medical attention include: redness, heat around the site, swelling, discoloration of the skin around the site, abnormal smell coming from the site, or a red line originating from the wound towards your lymph glands. [23] X Trustworthy Source DermNet NZ Online clinical resource website written and run by dermatologists providing evidence-based information about dermatology and skin health Go to source If you are concerned about a possible infection after following these guidelines, then talk with your doctor. He/she may be able to give you an antibiotic to help alleviate any redness, swelling, and pus.
