Natural Skin Tag Removal: 7 Home Remedies for Skin Tags

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 Jennywren (Perth, Western Australia, Australia) on 02/18/2012
★★★★★

I had a skin tag on the inside of my arm, which didn't look that unsightly but I'd keep picking it, it would bleed, scab, etc etc. So I tried some ACV on a cotton wool ball, held it on the skin tag for around 2 mins. That was that. The next day it went darkish red, then it just disappeared. Not even a scar! Thanks EC! :)


A String Tied Around the Skin Tag
Posted by Km (Sacramento, Ca) on 02/07/2012

I have also done this with a mole. The most effective way to do this is to tie it at the base-where the mole meets your skin... Tie it as tight as you can bear... The mole will eventually die (turn black/hard) and fall off... I did not the entire mole.... It reduced it.. and, it never grew back.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Bud (Brazil) on 01/06/2012

Yes, this is normal. It means it's working, and soon they will fall off.

What works really well too is Iodine tincture. You can get it decolorized so it doesn't stain.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Cape0630 (Buffalo, Ny, Usa) on 01/05/2012

Hi, I am trying the ACV on my 10 yr. Old Golden Retreiver who has a skintag on his hind leg. Last year he had one and the vet removed it but it cost 540.00!! I have been soaking a femine pad and then placing it on his skintag with a loose bandage. After about a week of this the top of the skintag is dark black... Is this normal? Please advise!!! Thank you.


Bandaid Method
Posted by Beentheredonethat (Sudbury, Ontario Canada) on 12/18/2011
★★★★★

I have read your posts. The thing that is removing the skin tag is the bandaid itself. I know.. Sounds crazy but, I read online that when you cover a skin tag it dies. I tried this on my husband's skin tags (and they were large (6mm)). We just changed the bandaid daily. Within the first 48hrs, the tag became grey. Then slowly, it started to deteriorate and 'deflate' so to speak. It would leave a little blood on the bandaid each day more and more until finally one day it was hanging on by a little thread. We put an ice cube on the remaining piece and then snipped it off. Whithin 2 days you couldn't see anything anymore.

The second time we didn't even need to snip it... It stuck to the bandaid. So save yourself the trouble and burning. Don't put anything except maybe a tiny amount of antibiotic cream to keep from infection during the process. But trust me... No burning iodine etc needed!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Middlebunny (Jersey City, New Jersey, Usa) on 10/09/2011

Thank you for your feedback. I've tried dabbing my skin tags with ACV after I wash my face but it had no effect. Clearly, I need to apply the treatment more often. I'm not sure if I will be able to accomplish this as often as you did; however, I think I should be able to do the night-time/band-aid treatment to see how that works.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jacquie (St. Charles, Illinois) on 10/07/2011
★★★★★

I have had skin tags removed by my doctor for years until recently - no health insurance and it's expensive. After doing extensive research online, and trying a variety of methods which did NOT work (clear nail polish, duct tape on the skin tage, etc. ) but rather served to additionally irritate the surrounding skin, I finally came across the ACV suggestion and tried it out of desperation. OMG - this stuff WORKS!!! I dipped a Qtip swap into some apple cider vinegar that I purchased from the local grocery store - (cost under a dollar) and applied it directly onto this huge skin tag - stung a teensy bit but oh well - I'm too much of a chicken to try the needle/thread/cutting options suggested. I applied it 2-3x/day and at night or whenever not having to appear in public, I would put a small round bandaid to cover it up due to its ginormous size. Verrrry quickly it started to diminish in size and now is not even there anymore - just a reddish spot that will fade away. I am utterly amazed and cannot wait to inform my Dr.when next I'm fortunate enough to see him, what an all-natural totally healthy method did for me in his absense. ;>) If any of you out there suffer from these pesky, unsightly things, by all means, run, not walk to your local grocery store and get an inexpensive bottle of ACV, good grief. I might even try including a couple of tsps in my hot tea - who know what else it might do for one, from the inside, based on all of these testimonials I'm reading.

Laser Treatment
Posted by Sandra (Ottawa, Ontario) on 09/29/2011
★★★★★

Hello everyone! I lived in the UK for 3 years and found the best remedy for Skin Tags, Lazer Treatment. It takes 2 minutes and it falls off in a couple days. It seems we don't have this method in Canada!

Skin Tag Theories
Posted by Becky (Cottonwood, Az) on 09/06/2011

Skin tags are caused by too much sugar. Diabetics get a lot of skin tags and if you are hypoglycemic or hypothyroid you will see them appear when you over do the sugar. I don't know(or can't remember)why but my husband will get them when he is on an ice cream/sweet run; eating something sweet every night for a couple of months until he can break the habit and then tags will go away. I too have experienced this - usually around Christmas when more sweets are around. Most hypothyroidism leads to diabetis and heart disease. Check out Dr. Mark Starr's excellent book, Hypothyroidism type 2, The Epidemic.

Skin Tag Theories
Posted by John (Russellville, Arkansas ) on 08/27/2011

Dr. Jonathan Wright noticed several years ago that skin tags increasing on the body can possible indicate that diabetes will develop within several years. Make sure that your blood sugar is stable and your diet is good if skin tags suddenly start to pop up.


Scissors
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 08/26/2011

Hi Debbie from Portland, once a doctor told me to just pull them out. I didn't have the courage but that goes to show that it is possible to just get rid of them!


Scissors
Posted by Debbie (Portland, Me) on 08/25/2011
★★★★★

Skin Tag Removal

Had skin tags for many years in armpit area. After other remedies not working I got up the nerve to take a sharp mini-scissor and snip off one small skin tag to see how painful it would be. To my surprise, I felt nothing. Larger ones felt a tiny bit of discomfort for a fraction of a second. Tiny bit of bleeding. Within 2 days could not even see where they were. Use clean scissors and blot with hydrogen peroxide. Go ahead be brave - a flea bite is worse!!!

Iodine
Posted by Lily (Brisbane, Queensland, Australia) on 07/09/2011
★★★★★

Francisca, I used the regular Iodine that you use externally for skin tags. If I remember right it took less than a week. Works wonders. Lily.


Iodine
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 07/08/2011

Do you mean the iodine we ingest or the one we put on cuts? We have two kinds! I tried the Essential Oil of Oregano on a small one and it melted away very fast, now there is a little red mark, I will wait and see whether it also disappears. I will try the iodine in a little one on my neck which is not disappearing so fast as soon as you tell me what kind of iodine you used!


Iodine
Posted by Wke (Mountain City, Tn/usa) on 07/07/2011
★★★★★

Apply topical iodine directly to the skin tag; do not use a bandage. Yes, often it burns, but the skin tag disappears in 48 hours.


Oregano Oil
Posted by Darla (Lisbon, Nd) on 07/01/2011

Maybe I should try that, as I've used frankincense and some have gone but not all.


Oregano Oil
Posted by Christine (Lancaster, Ca/ Usa) on 06/30/2011
★★★★★

I have several tiny skin tags around my neck/collar area. One was getting very irritated from my shirt. A friend told me about oil of oregano for these. I started applying to the skin tags twice a day(morning and evening). I applied one drop to each tag with my finger. In eight days, the tags were gone. Talk about saving time and money.

A String Tied Around the Skin Tag
Posted by Helga (Birkirkara, Malta) on 06/19/2011

Thank you so much for your post Elizabeth! Its exactly what I needed! I went into the hospital hoping that they would say that they are hemeroids and that they would remove them for me.... However I found out that its a fissure and that bit of skin was just a skin tag... I want it off so badly that I was so disappointed! Your post gave me hope that I will soon be rid of this thing and so simply right from home! I will try the string thing now... Thanks again!


The Fingernail Clipper Snipping Method
Posted by Randy (Rochester, Ny) on 06/10/2011
★★★★★

I haves this method many times and it does work, with little or no scaring.. I have had 100's removed by drs druring surgery and in the drs office. The tie off method is hard to get right. I have pair or clips just for this whic I clean in acholol each time I have only had one that bleed for more than a couple minutes and put a saline soaked badage on it and was clean and healing in a day or so.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Apple Cheeks (Sedona, Az, Usa) on 06/03/2011
★★★☆☆

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

I got rid of a bothersome skin tag on my neck with acv. I saturated a cotton pad and rubbed it across the skin tag for around 5 minutes. I stopped as it became red and irritated. I didn't dare do it again but amazingly the skin tag fell off 3 days later! I am very impressed with acv.


Iodine
Posted by Sheila (San Diego, Ca, Usa) on 05/12/2011
★★★★★

I used World Organic's potassium iodide on the skin tags on my neck, particularly on the largest two. The smallest of the two shriveled up and turned black and is about to fall off, the other one is tender to the touch. I'm going to see if a couple more applications will get it to shrivel. It's taken about 5 days of 2 apps per day for the smallest one to shrivel up. It's a relief! And I didn't need to go to a derm doc--even better!

I'm dabbing it directly with a swab, taking care not to touch the surrounding skin. The p. Iodide is clear ("white"), so I'm hoping it won't leave any stains. Since it looks like people are having quicker success with the Lugol's, I'll give it a try.

Too risky, too visible to try it on my face.

Thank you much!


Salicylic Acid
Posted by Kathryn (Myrtle Beach, Sc) on 05/09/2011

I forgot to report the main reason I was responding:

Salicylic acid is the primary component in 'compound w' or other liquid wart removers. Hope this helps.


Salicylic Acid
Posted by Kathryn (Myrtle Beach, Sc) on 05/08/2011

I bought a solution of high %-age salicylic acid from "Sally's" (Beauty Supply) for callouses on my feet. So try looking in the foot/beauty section of your local pharmacy or supercenter. Decided to use it today to see if it would do anything for my tag. Going to try it for a couple days twice a day and report back just for the sake of this remedy. If it doesn't work - because it burns like fire due to the 'delicate' nature of my tag - I'm going to try iodine and/or AC vinegar and/or tea tree oil - all of which I have on hand already.

LOVE this site! Will report my results.


Dry Ice
Posted by Dennis (Rio De Janeiro) on 05/03/2011

Hi,

Thanks for posting on the dry ice. I have thought of doing that also for some tags.

And wondering how to be safe doing it, I came up with the idea to use some tweezers to hold the tag firmly, and then apply the dry ice to the tweezers close to the tag. And of course wearing the gloves.

I just found this site today, and I am amazed with the amount of information you have here.

Great work Guys and Gals!


A String Tied Around the Skin Tag
Posted by Ouch!! (Baltimore, Md) on 04/22/2011

Did it hurt for the first few days? I tried this method today for the same "area" and it is quite painful for the first several hours. I am wondering if I will be able to function (gym, going out) or if I should just go see a specialist?


A String Tied Around the Skin Tag
Posted by Windndown (Kitty Ville, Ca) on 03/20/2011

I read on livingstrong asprin works well. Make a paste and use it on the tag. Also, wart, corn remover patches cut the patch a little bit bigger than the tag and put it on, may take a few days no pain either!! GOOD LUCK


Castor Oil and Baking Soda Paste
Posted by Windndown (Kitty Ville, Ca) on 03/20/2011
★★★★★

Oh baking soda, and my beloved castor oil!! I swear by both of them, did you know castro oil cured my pink eye? I caught it early and saw online add a drop twice a day, it stopped the itch and pain with one drop!!! So anyway I did add one drop to both eyes and it was GONE in one day but I did it again for one more day. I went to the Doctors for a diff reason and told him to check my eyes, I said I used a home remedy of castor oil to cure it, she just raised his eye brows and shook his head yes, and when he looked in my eye, he says he sees NO INFECTION.. When you pull my eye lid down you see a tiny bit of yellow dr says that will rinse out on its own, could be from the oil.. Im so happy with that home cure I could have suffered big time, it was awful for me the first day but urgent care was closed. C. Oil rocks!

Baking soda.. That stuff cures my gout for the past 4 years or more.. I did it one day I was desperate for help on a foot pain and read online it could be gout, so I looked up gout home cures and back then it was SOOO HARD TO FIND there were books saying buy me and learn how to cure your gout from home with simple items you have in your home already.. But I kept digging and found one site ONLY ONE, today there are hundreds.. Told me the steps I followed them and with in less than a day it was all gone, I have since tested it over and over and its never failed me!!!!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mgm0608 (Milford, Ct) on 03/03/2011
★★★★★

I just started taking Apple Cider Vinegar orally for digestive help, and have been searching for other uses. so, I thought why not try on skin tag on the back of my neck, it's been bothering me for years. poured some on cotton ball, held it on for about 10 minutes, rubbed gently and much to my amazement, it's gone. I keep feeling for it and can't find it, I think I need to get 2 mirror just to check it out, but as far as I can feel, it's not there at all, . Can't believe how easy!!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Shauna (Winnipeg, Mb) on 02/21/2011
★★★☆☆

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

I also used ACV on some skin tags and, yes, it did remove them when I rubbed a cotton ball with ACV on it. However, it really burned my skin and after about 5 weeks, I'm still waiting for the redness to disappear completely. I must have sensitive skin because only one other person has mentioned this side affect.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Redschoke (Fort Myers, Fl) on 01/06/2011
★★★★★

Wow! Apple Cider Vinegar really does work! I have tons of skin tags, especially on my neck. My insurance does not cover removal of them, so just about an hour ago, I was reading this post and decided to try the ACV on a cotton ball as instructed. The result are so unbelievable! Honestly, no lie, the skin tag that I applied the ACV to is gone. The only thing left there is a small scar that I will apply bactriban ointment to, to take care of it and maybe if need be, a little fading cream. Thank you for your tip. I have a lot of work to do!


Iodine
Posted by Nim (Torotno, Ont, Canada) on 12/20/2010

Hi Bess,
Thank you for your reply. I am allergic to eggs :( - any other suggestions are welcome :)


Iodine
Posted by Bess (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) on 12/19/2010

Hi Nim - I, too, am hypothyroid so I stay far away from soy products. For lecithin, I eat eggs. According to the Egg Farmers of Canada, one large egg contains 1.5 grams of lecithin. Perhaps you can eat eggs instead of taking over-processed lecithin granules. Good luck!


Iodine
Posted by Nim (Toronto, Canada) on 12/19/2010

I love this site!! Lugol's Iodine: How different is it to other iodine solutions? I have skin tags on my very itchy eye lids and also near the eyelashes. For past couple of weeks I applied Castor oil & warm compress but the tags are still there. I read Lugol's Iodine works but it is safe to use on eyelids? Also, when applied to weak, brittle nails, do they become strong? Does anyone know where I can buy it in Toronto?

Granulated Lecithin: I was going to take the granules to dissolve lipomas but I read thyroid persons should not take soy based products - is this true? is there an alternative?
Thank you

Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Maria (Silver Spring, Usa) on 12/15/2010
★★★★★

Hydrogen Peroxide and nail polish for skin tag: My husband had an ugly skin tag close to his eye. He used hydrogen peroxide for about two weeks and it started to dry out. Then he got very impatient and wanted to have it surgically removed. I told him to continue with the Peroxide, which he did for another week.

Then he said it was not drying fast enough. So I advised him to use nail polish. He painted the tag with it, going under it also. In five days the tag fell. He was so happy, and marveled about how the peroxide and polish had worked and there was no scar or mark whatsoever. He is telling all his high flying friends what happened.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Ash (Baltimore, Maryland) on 11/22/2010

I read on here that Apple Cider Vinegar helps to remove skin tags so one night I just had to try something and quick started to soak a cotton ball and some nights a panty liner to remove skin tags I had "down there" which was really embarassing I didnt even want to get intimate because of them and I slept with them on and took them off in the am and washed the area within a week they dried up and fell off I did this last year and havent had them come back WOW I CANT BELIEVE THIS REALLY HELPED I LOOVE THIS WEBSITE!!!

Essiac Tea
Posted by Jane (Campbell, Ca) on 10/18/2010
★★★★★

Essiac Tea removes skin tags. I was drinking 2 ounces of brewed Essiac tea twice a day for 3 months and noticed that all the skin tags on my neck had just disappeared. I was taking Essiac tea just to boost my immune system. I had skin tags on my neck for about 5 years and was amazed that they just disappeared. Essiac tea is available on the internet in tea form, as tea bags, and in bulk (3 pound) herbs. When you buy in bulk the price is significantly less.


Iodine
Posted by Ed157 (Los Angeles, Ca, Us) on 10/17/2010

Yep, I burnt the top layer of skin off of my face. Be careful. I now have a large rectangular wound on my face the size and shape of the bandage part of the band aid, I guess the skin around the eyes is thin, I hope it doesn't leave a scar. I would not advise doing the soaked bandaid with iodine tip on the face.


Iodine
Posted by Lisa (Lafayette, La) on 09/26/2010

Lauren, I beg to differ with you. I just noticed last night that the mole that I had been applying iodine to on my torso (side) had disappeared after using the iodine for about 2 weeks. It is gone. Gone.


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.


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