The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Julie-Anne (Australia) on 01/07/2023
★★★★★
I've had two anal skin tags for several years that were recently getting bigger, one getting longer and the other getting thicker and longer - it was almost like a biggish, round, hard ball at one point. The thicker one was getting so big, I could at times feel it when I was walking, which was a bit scary, to say the least. More were also appearing around the same location (seemed like all of a sudden).
After reading about people's experiences on this site and trying several of the remedies, what has been most successful for me, is apple cider vinegar (with the mother). After trying several different methods, I discovered that filling a cylindrical clear top with acv, e.g. top of hair smoother pump bottle, and holding that over the skin tags allowed them to soak in the Apple Cider Vinegar (which worked better than Qtip or cotton balls). I started doing this 2 times a day for about 5-7 mins. I put vaseline around the area first. They started to immediately get smaller. After a week or so, I also started to drink about 1 and 1/2 tablespoons of acv, diluted in a glass of water, once a day. Occasionally I missed a day with my 'treatment' but it didn't seem to set it back at all. It's now about 10-12 days later and the difference is huge. The two are so much smaller and the ones that had started to develop have just disappeared and the surrounding skin looks normal again. I'll keep up with the treatment obviously, which has had fantastic results. I have had no real discomfort - just have to use the vaseline and I feel so much better! The area looks so much more normal now - amazing to see the develping ones disappear. I tried iodine and tea tree oil, but never really saw any noticeable improvement. Thank you so much to all the people who contributed to this site - your help has been life changing!!
Iodine
Posted by Nancy (Buena Vista, Co) on 06/26/2016 1 posts
★★★★★
Suffering from skin tags over my life, I thought I would add what I think on the subject. They are caused by the herpes virus in your body, which is in 98 percent of the population. Always use Vaseline to protect your good skin underneath. Once I tried to remove a lump of skin that was in my mouth, pressurized there from wearing braces, detached the corner of my mouth which has been very disfiguring and impossible to fix so far. I try to plump that area with glycerin and exercise. Viruses travel in one direction in the body and you will notice that oftentimes skin tags lean also in one common direction.
I think that applying iodine to skin tags is a great way to introduce iodine into the bloodstream thereby reaching the virus which lives at the base of your spine, manifesting itself as chicken pox, mononucleosis.shingles and in two percent of the population throat cancer.
Be careful with overdosing we all have a "full tank " capacity when it comes to muradic. acid/ iodine. God bless you!
P.s. T he thyroid regulates the level of iodine to cleanse the blood and calcium to provide energy to the body through the blood so get enough calcium or your blood will leach your teeth and bones to get enough.
Iodine
Posted by Es (New York) on 01/03/2013
★★★★★
I recently noticed a small skin tag on my chest. I'd never had one before. I came right to earthclinic, read about Lugol's and ordered a bottle online for a couple of bucks. I applied it for about 3 days, about 2x a day, I just painted it on with a q-tip. It actually worked, within a few days the thing was gone. It did dry some of the surrounding skin from the breast which flaked off, so perhaps I overdid it a bit. I attempted to put some oil & or vaseline around it as someone here suggested, to prevent the staining etc from the surrounding area, but that didn't work. The skin did come off the area but it wasn't a wound, just a bit raw and sensitive, but it's healing just fine, with a bit of jojoba oil to moisturize and heal the skin. Anyway, the thing may have grown and so I'm really glad this worked, at least I know if I ever get another one (which I hopefully don't) I will know exactly what to do. Thank you for the wonderful solution earthclinic! You rock!!!
Iodine
Posted by Tina (Edgecomb, Maine USA) on 02/24/2009
★★★★★
Iodine has taken care of my skin tags - Ive been using it for about a week on several small tags around my neck and upper chest (treating them once a day )and they're going or gone. - I'm telling everyone about your site I think it's wonderful
Iodine
Posted by Diane (Burbank, California) on 08/15/2007
★★★★★
I read here something about iodine curing skin tags, so I decided what the heck. I used the iodine twice a day on a skin tag on my underarm, and nothing much happened for a while, other than the skin around it getting red and irritated, but then this morning, the skin tag was black. Later on, when I went to check it, it was gone!! Wow - it really works. Thank you for this informative and fun website.
The Fingernail Clipper Snipping Method
Posted by steve (roanoke, va) on 03/14/2025
★★★★★
I had literally dozens of skin tags under both my arms at one point, after trying multiple cures I gave up and ordered a pair of high quality convex finger nail clippers and carefully snipped them all off all at once. Sure it stings for second and bleeds a minute, no biggie, I just dabbed a little witch hazel on each spot and it was over. Never had one come back and no trace of where they were.
Moxa Mini-Cones
Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 03/08/2022
★★★★★
Moxa Mini-Cones (Korean) for Skin Tags
Back in the early-mid 1980's, I had a skin lesion that was not responding to conventional treatment. I showed it to my Aunt and she put this “mini cigarette looking thing with a sticky cushion on one side” (I later learned it was called a mini-moxa used in Chinese medicine). She stuck it over the lesion and lit the cigarette and it burned for about 5 minutes. Stung alittle bite at the end of the burn cycle then she removed it and it left a brownish stain on my skin. A few days later, the skin lesion was gone.
Fast forward 40 years to today, I bought some mini-moxa online. I am using them for flat warts(?) I think that they are not responding to any treatment. Mini-moxa sticks contain mugwort, wormwood and sage.
A friend of mine was complaining about the skin tags he had around his neck. I looked at them and determined that the mini-moxa sticks would fit over them.
Here are the results from just one 5 minute treatment:
Day 2: Tags turned a white color.
Day 3: Tags turned black and hard.
Day 6: Tags fell off!
Video: What is Moxa sticks & How to use it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3OIbmn_1MU
Cotton String and Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Tanja (Los Angeles, CA) on 12/30/2020
★★★★★
I have had this large hanging skin tag in the front of my shoulder for at least a decade and I tried removing it several times in the past years with iodine, apple cider vinegar and even 35% hydrogen peroxide and a tooth floss tied around it. I tried all the remedies from here and I could not get it to work.
Last week I got so sick of it I tied floss around it - soaked it in iodine and apple cider vinegar alternating the two and it just got irritated and got bigger - DAAAMN. Clearly the floss was not cutting off the blood circulation to the tag (and I knew that since I had tried it before....).
BUT THEN I took REGULAR COTTON STRING (like the kind you sew clothes with) and tied that underneath the floss closest to the root of the tag and THAT was the thing that changed everything.
I tied it tight and within 12 hours the tag had started to turn black.
In order to speed up the process. I also soaked a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and taped it on the skin tag for several hours each day and TODAY, THREE DAYS AFTER TYING THE STRING THE SKIN TAG FELL OFF.
I AM SO HAPPY IT IS GONE OMG! . So USE REGULAR COTTON STRING TO CUT OFF THE BLOOD SUPPLY AND SOAK THE TAG IN APPLE CIDER VINEGAR SEVERAL TIMES A DAY AND SAY BYE BYE TO BIG SKIN TAGS. My skin did get red from the apple cider vinegar but it will heal but you definitely can use vaseline to protect the base of the skin if you have irritated skin.
THANK YOU EARTH CLINIC FOR PROVIDING THIS COMMUNITY!!
Lugol's Iodine
Posted by Aforrester (London) on 06/03/2020
★★★★★
Lugol's iodine is great for skin tags. I had 5 pop up after going out in the sun getting some vit d top up. I recently purchased a 1940s violet ray tesla device and it had a little glass wand so I gave them all a dose of nikola tesla electricity they changed colour I then finished off with a dab of lugol's on each one. lugols will work alone but you have to dab on 4 times a day. the violet ray just speeds things along violet ray device can be used for many different ailments
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Katzie (Alberta) on 04/13/2018
Unfortunately, the ACV was pressed up against very delicate skin for way too long. ACV on a q-tip for a few minutes would have been better. The skin will heal, but you could help it along with some soothing, healing Castor Oil. Rub a small drop or two on the area 2x/day and you should be feeling better soon. Good luck!
A String Tied Around the Skin Tag
Posted by Janis (Mn) on 02/08/2018
★★★★★
I realized I had a white skin tag on the front of my tongue. I had read that using a tied string wouldn't work because of the skin tag being on the tongue, but I thought "What do I have to lose?" It took a little patience because the string (dental floss) wanted to slip right off. But I got it on and kept it on for about an hour, giving the ends of the floss a little tug occasionally to keep the knot tight. I didn't think it had helped, but the next day, the skin tag looked a little bit different. So I repeated the dental floss knot and after about an hour, the whole thing fell right off!
Lavender or Garlic Oil
Posted by Eva (Chicago) on 04/21/2016
★★★★★
For skin tags, use Lavender 100% essential oil or 100% garlic oil. The skin tags have roots, feeding off of your capillary blood. These oils kill the roots. Garlic is stronger then Lavender both they both work. Google : what essentials oils remove skin tags?
Scissors
Posted by Chuck (London, Uk) on 12/06/2012
★★★★★
I developed skin tags in my armpits some 20 years ago (gawd) and they have always been a source of embarrassment for me. I would say 10-15 on each side; not big and they didn't bother me at all. Actually, I had (hee hee) one big one on each side - big as in 1cm long and thin.
Also, I have (sorry, had :)) one medium one and about 4-6 small ones on my neck.
Anyway, as you might imagine I hated them. I am just remembering now that when I was 29 I went to the GP (Family Doctor) and he pulled a face and said that there were "too many" to do anything with (he should be struck-off - he really failed me; I wonder how many other people he has really failed also. All while taking a big fat salary and pension). If I was embarressed before, I was now mortified... I have been meaning to do something... But what. I have been so busy and they weren't bugging me (until my sister... SISTERS! ... Said on holiday once, in a very loud voice "Ughhhhh... what are those").
Over the years I have tried all sorts - alcohol, Tee Tree Oil, lots. Anyway last week I came across this site (magic! ) and I decided to try the iodine - I had some in the cupboard (I put it on the kids for any scrape / cut). Two days of hiding in my bedroom slathered in iodine... Go on, it is funny (the family were off seeing relatives). They did look a bit bothered, but not anywhere near bothered enough for my liking. Iodine on my shirt, on the floor, pyjamas and the towel... ughhh.
Now, I don't have heaps of time to spend on this. I want them gone, but I can't sit around for hours slathered in this and that; I have kids and a job and a wife etc etc. So, I spied those scissors in a pot in the bathroom... Hmmmmm... These little fellers have bothered me too long. I decided to cut off one of the big boys (1cm, not really big) and see about the pain / blood. I rubbed iodine into the scissors (I am sure that there are better ways - boiling / alcohol, but I was on a roll and there was to be no stopping me) and into/around the skin tag.
'Snip', almost no pain ( not even a pinch's worth) and almost no blood. I put a plaster on it and the.... The mad glint in my eye... this was good, really good (should have done it years ago - silly me).
I snipped all the ones on my neck off (fabidoodah). Yes, a little bit of blood - much less than a cut finger. Probably all amounted to 2 drops. Slapped plasters on. There was one that was half mole and half skin tag... you got it, that came off too (not the mole bit).
Actually, I should have gotten better scissors - I do have some, it's a question of finding them. I had to 'trim' a couple of them back a couple of times to get the whole tag off. And one was a bit tough and needed to be snipped by the sharper bit of the scissor blade. Afterwards I trimmed a bit of my hair... I only mention this (as I had evidently gone mad - joking) as it became about the same level of 'intervention', if you like.
This all happened 10 minutes ago and I am now sitting here with about 10 plasters on and happy, happy, happy.
This is phase 1. The underarmers (phase 2) will go either with scissors (which I am really happy with) or with string (which I am intrigued by).
The big thing is though, I am back in control. And it feels good.
Thank you Earth Clinic - I clearly needed some encouragement.
One last bit of advice - I am an expert now, remember. It would be easier if you could get someone else to do the snipping... I didn't as I am too embarrassed about them and the moment of their demise came and I had to do it then!
Anyway, don't wait - Go for it NOW and in 10 minutes you will be sitting there with a few plasters on and the hugest smile.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Juli (Cloverdale, Ca) on 03/30/2012
★★★★★
Well, three tags dropped off within a week. No pink on my neck any more. I have been looking at these ugly things for YEARS, not any more!! Very satisfied and convinced.
Iodine
Posted by Karmala (Templeton, Ca) on 08/20/2010
Just wanted to pass along my experience with tincture of iodine. I purchased some locally to use on skin tags as I had read it is instrumental in safely removing them. I put some on a bandaid and then applied the bandaid to a skin tag on my neck. Within a few minutes, it really started burning. When I removed the bandaid, I had what appeared to be a chemical burn in the shape of the cotton section of the bandaid. I don't know if I used too much, or am just very sensitive to iodine, but wanted to share my experience so people might be cautious.
Iodine
Posted by Meg (Newcastle, Australia) on 08/11/2010
★★★★★
I've used Lugol's on a neck skin tag - it's gone entirely in 4 applications. I'd recommend to anyone who has a tag too large for clipping. Thanks so much Earth Clinic and everyone!
A String Tied Around the Skin Tag
Posted by Robert (Eugene, Oregon) on 01/11/2013
★★★★★
I had a sprouting skin tag (looked weird!) between my eyebrow and my eye. I used diluted grapefuit seed extract, using a q-tip (carefully! ). It helped a little bit. After reading this site, I got the nerve to tie a piece of dental floss around it and pulled tight. I didn't use a double knot because I wanted to get it off in the morning. It reduced the size and got got darker. I kept using the GSE, but took a night off before using the string again. This time I pulled really tight. The sharp pain I felt the first time didn't happen this time. In the morning I pulled again, but it wouldn't come off, so I used a razor blade and cut it off, because this time I couldn't get the string off, and didn't want to have a string over my eye all day. No bleeding, no scarring, just a small bump left. My wife was quite impressed.
A String Tied Around the Skin Tag
Posted by Cynthia (Jacksonville, Alabama) on 04/19/2010
★★★★★
I had a skin tag that eventually grew to about the size of a lentil behind my ear on my neck. I tried a lot of things of what ppl have put on here, including putting aspirin paste and a bandaid, acv, and even calcium mixed with lemon juice which normally works very well for blemishes. I tried tying a piece of thread on it tighter and tighter every few days for 2 weeks. It just got bigger and bigger and looked like a giant swollen tick. Finally I bit the bone and did what some have said on here and had my husband cut it off with a razor blade after I put some ice on it to numb it a little. He was scared to do and and wouldn't at first, but after 3 more days, I forced him. It took a micro second and hurt less than anything you can imagine. Just a tiny scratch and boy what a relief. The thread had made the connection of it to my neck extremely small, but my hubby couldn't tell that until he cut it off. Boy was that a relief to have that annoying thing gone, and have a flat smooth neck again. It didn't even bleed hardly a speck . Believe me, that was an experience. Thanks to this site and everyone with their sharing. Next time, I'll probably just cut them off, it's not worth all the trouble. I'd been living with that for years, it was SO nice to have it finally gone! Bless you all~
Iodine
Posted by Tara (Palmerston North, New Zealand) on 06/23/2009
★★★★★
I applied lugols iodine a few times (or when I remembered) on a small skin tag under my arm (that I'd had for a few years) and always had to shave around. I then suddenly noticed about 3 weeks later it was gone! I then tried another skin tag and this time applied a drop or so every day and this time watched it gradually disapear over another period of about 3 weeks. Yeah! No more skin tags!
