Skin Tags

Steph,

I have had dermatologists burn, freeze, cut, hack and saw skin tags off. Although I am not familiar with products to eliminate skin tags, I had one at the waist line that just got bigger and bigger. I used a piece of very fine dental floss tied around it to cut off the blood supply. After about 3 or 4 days it literally fell off. Cheapest, least painful solution yet. It was a bit annoying but not nearly as annoying as letting the doc lop it off and charging you for the privlege.

I can't suggest a way to remove them. However, if it's large, it will bleed no matter how you try to get it off. My husband just had some removed (at a doctor) and the larger ones bled quite a bit.

You might try preperation H. It is supposed to shrink the skin. Don't know if it will work but it's worth a try.

I have heard that you can tie dental floss around it and without blood it will fall off ? have not tried it though.

Hi S.,

There is a Dr. Gott column in our newspaper (similar to a Dear Abby). He has recommended the string method before. I've also seen him talk about applying clear nail polish to it to make it fall off. I've never tried either, but I have plucked off smaller ones with my fingernails before. It hurt for a moment and bled a little, but with a larger one, I would try one of these methods. Good luck!

Although most skin tags are nothing to work about, very occaisionally skin cancer can resemble a skin tag. If yours bleeds or gets scaly I would urge you to see a dermatologist just to be sure. AS someone else said, most doctors will work with you, especially if it's a one time office visit. When my doctor was no longer on my plan, I just paid him a reasonable flat fee. Good luck!

I've had skin tags removed by scalpel and by burning. Both ways hurt like crazy! One doctor told me to soak a pair of straight edge toe-nail clippers in alcohol for 5 minutes, then use them to clip the skin tag off. If you are able to catch the tags when they are small, it's not as painful. Once removed, cover with Neosporin and a bandaid.

I'm sorry I don't have a less-painful way of removal. You could hold some ice on the skin tag for a few minutes to numb it or see if there is a type of numbing agent available over the counter at the pharmacy. You just need it to be numb for about a minute - long enough to clip and cover with a bandaid.

If the tag is on your face, especially in the eye area, I'd leave it to a professional.

Good Luck!

Tie a string around it and forget about it. In a couple of days it will have fallen off. Gross, I know...but it works and it's free!

I have heard of using dental floss/string as others have suggested. I have also heard of keeping it covered with liquid bandage (looks like clear nail polish) until it goes away. You can find it with other bandages/first aid items at the store. Good luck!

Hi S.,

Many times, a physician can provide services at different rates for people who do not have health insurance, especially if you can pay cash. You may want to call a dermatologist's office or two and ask how much they would charge for an office visit and a skin tag removal.

My insurance wouldn't cover a mole removal during my pregnancy, but it was just between my breasts and my bras rubbed it painfully every day. I wrote the doctor a check for $150 and it was done.

Peace,
M.