Natural Skin Tag Removal: 7 Home Remedies for Skin Tags

Scissors, Nail Clippers or String

Posted by Gwen (New York) on 06/17/2013
★★★★★

For years I have had about 9 skin tags on various parts of my body, and they have always driven me nuts. Four of them are large-ish (about 1cm), 3 are small, and 2 are tiny. Two of them are "down there, " around my pubic hair, and one is right in the middle of my cleavage, so I am particularly self-conscious of those ugly ones. Well, I should say "were", not "are" because some are already gone, thanks to the posts here which inspired me!

Since I found the experiences of others so helpful and inspirational, I'll share mine in detail as well in the hope that it can help someone else.

I really wanted them gone but could not afford to have a doctor do it since it's not covered by insurance. So I came to earthclinic. I first tried tea tree oil, as recommended here, because I had some in the house and I do not mind the smell at all. I applied twice a day to all 9 skin tags and covered with a band-aid for 3 days. I didn't notice any change whatsoever. No drying, no discoloration. Nothing.

I was next going to try to get some ACV and try that, but I was emboldened by what others wrote here and so I figured I would try the scissors. Believe me, I figured I was the LAST person who could do something like that--I get extremely squeamish about cutting and bleeding and stuff. But I wanted them gone SO badly and other posts here were very reassuring and said it really was no big deal.

I decided to first try the one in my cleavage and the one on my VERY upper thigh/pubic area, for two reasons: (1) they were both on the largish side and I REALLY hated them, and (2) although the tags were large, they both narrowed dramatically near the skin and were actually attached to my body by a rather tiny flap of skin. So I figured they were a good place to start.

I first tried the cleavage one with a nail clippers cleaned with rubbing alcohol. I thought the nail clippers would make it easier and feel sort of more "removed" from the process. But the curve of the clippers was totally wrong for the job and completely mismatched the curve of my body, and it actually mangled the job a bit. Nothing that won't heal, just more drama than necessary--the clippers scraped the skin to the left and right of the tag, creating an even bigger place to heal. BUT... They did do the job, and quickly. That one is GONE! There are lots of people here who said there was practically no blood, but I did not have the same experience. There was blood. Not a lot, but not a little either. I pressed a cotton ball soaked with alcohol on it for a few minutes, then applied neosporin and a band-aid.

Next up--the one on my thigh. This time I decided to pass on the clippers and go with scissors. I used nail scissors that were pretty sharp. This one was a piece of cake. One quick snip and that hated thing was GONE TOO! This one bled about the same, but again an alcohol soaked cotton ball and a band-aid did the trick.

Those were 4 days ago. Both spots are almost completely healed--the thigh one even more so than the breast one because of the extra damage done by the nail clippers. I can not believe I don't have those skin tags any more. I have been looking at them and hating them for years. I am SO happy.

So then, I wanted to tackle the largest one, which is (was) just at the top of my pubic area. I REALLY wanted this one gone, but did not think I could deal with cutting it because the base of it--where it attached to my body--was not narrow but wide. So for this one I decided to try the string method.

I used dental floss and it was slightly uncomfortable, but I could deal. I added new floss each day, making it a bit tighter each time, for three days, but saw very little change. There was no discoloration as others had reported. Perhaps if I had had more patience and kept going, it would have worked. But I was so happy having the others gone, that I wanted quick results with this one too.

It did seem like the tying had narrowed the base a bit, so I decided to go for the cutting, this time using a scalpel-like tool I have for working with leather. I sterilized the scalpel with rubbing alcohol and this time, because of the size, I iced the area for about 10 minutes and gave a little spritz of numbing spray. The tag was still tied off so I just grabbed it firmly in one hand, held my breath, and sliced quickly with the other.

It didn't hurt a bit, and in a flash it was gone. Now, this one DID bleed, more than a little. Comparable to a bad cut. But I pressed the alcohol-soaked cotton ball on it for a few minutes, then dressed it with a gauze bandage covered in neosporin and taped down with surgical tape.

That was about 3 hours ago. The numbing stuff wore off at least 2 hours ago and while it is VERY slightly sore, I really barely feel anything. I'll change the dressing in the morning--this one left a small hole, about the size of a lentil, so it's going to actually take some healing. But that horrible thing is GONE GONE GONE!!! I am beyond thrilled. The whole enterprise was entirely worth it and I am so glad I did it.

I just have one more on my back that I really want to get rid of. I *think* I can reach it with my scalpel or scissors and it is not too wide at the base so it should be pretty easy. I also took off the very tiny ones which were actually harder to do because they were so small, but virtually painless. Then there are just the three on my side, by my ribs, which will be the last to go. But go they will--I now know there is absolutely no reason to live with these things. If you can stand the tiniest pinch and a little bit of blood, all of which is over in an instant, then you can do it too. Just be sure to keep everything super sterilized.

Good luck!

Scissors

Posted by Dan (Uk) on 12/30/2013
★★★★★

Had a tag on my groin for years. Recently became tender and annoying from friction. Looked on here and thought sod it I'm cutting it off. Couple of minutes ice, pulled it and snipped it off. Applied antiseptic. Bleeding stopped with a minute and there is no visible trace of the tag bar an extremely small red cut. Absolutely painless and not all all messy. Dont hesitate, wish I had done this years ago.

Skin Tag Theories

Posted by Dianamarie (Tampa, Florida) on 12/03/2012

im so scared to do it I had a skin tag for 4 years and every summer im embarrassed I cant cut it.... too afraid please can someone tell me what to do after cutting it .??

Skin Tag Theories

Posted by Dina (Toronto, ON) on 07/08/2024

I hope you haven't waited for 12 years for this answer! The best thing to do after removing a skin tag is hydrogen peroxide 3% on a cotton ball for a couple of minutes and then, band-aid - you're done. Repeat daily. I'd even put some peroxide on the band-aid cloth part to continue to disinfect. :)

Scissors

Posted by Monica (Houston, Texas) on 09/23/2012
★★★★★

I had one that grew very near the inner corner of my right eye. It became increasingly bothersome, not to mention the embarrassment of having people try to tell me I had an eye-booger and then I would have to explain that it was a skin tag, not eye-crust!?! Super embarrassing! I finally got desperate and decided I would just cut it off myself.... I numbed it with ice and snipped it off with sterilized nail clippers. I didn't feel a thing and it hardly bled at all. My mom was super impressed and grossed out all at the same time! I'll never live with a bothersome skin tag again! I'll just cut the darn thing off!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Mo (Valencia) on 09/01/2016
★★★☆☆

I have two skin tags near my anus, after using Apple Cider Vinegar for 5 days, one has turned to gray but other one has become twice as big as before I applied acv,

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.

Laser Treatment

Posted by Lori (Pahoa, Hawaii) on 08/04/2012
★☆☆☆☆

The problem with laser skin tag removal is that they come back. I had mine removed 6 years ago, but after about two or three years they have grown back and now they are worse than before, That is why I am looking for another solution.

Skin Tag Theories

Posted by Grandmajia (Wellman, Iowa, Usa) on 09/22/2012

I am diabetic and eat absolutely no sugar at all. This is how I control my diabetes. I have never eaten sugar because it makes me sick. However, I DO have skin tags. So how does that fit? Also, my mother-in-law was diabetic and lived on sugar but had no skin tags. Are we just weird?

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!!!

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.

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!!!

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.

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

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.

A String Tied Around the Skin Tag

Posted by Vicki (Nashville, Tennessee, Usa) on 10/05/2012
★★★★★

I have used this method with sewing thread or even a long hair from your head. It works. It takes several days but it cuts the blood supply and eventually it "dies" and falls off. It will begin looking dried, hard and black and then fall off. Once it starts looking "dead", as described, you could (if urgency is needed) help it along by clipping it off but I prefer to wait until it does it naturally. The problem of course are the ones that don't stick out enough to get thread or hair around the base of it.

Bloodroot

Posted by Victoria (Rumson, NJ) on 07/26/2009
★★★★★

Blood Root helped elminated skin tags

I have an Bloodroot Extract that has a dry herb strength of 1.4 other ingredients are 55% grape alchol and filtered water.

I have applied the extract directly to skin tags via a Q-tip and also make a tinture out of this to take internally. I use 1 quart warm water with 15 drops of the extract.

My skin tags have both falling off and shrunk - I have been using externally for about a year.

I also noticed that when I started drinking lemon water, they seemed to shrink even more. They used to "sprout" out, now the remaining ones are much closer to the skin.

I haven't been particularly agressive with the treatment, but it certain does work. With this extract, there really is no topical skin burning, however the tags that have fallen off did get swollen and itchy before they "let go".

As to the internal, I can say when I sip the tinture tea, you do get kind of physical "buzz" from it - it must be working!

Nail Polish

Posted by Tatyana (Cordova, Tn) on 06/22/2012

I used clear nail polish on 3 skin tags that I have had for several years. 1 was tiny, one a little bigger and the third was the biggest, but still pretty small, The strange thing is that the 1st and the 3rd (the biggest one) fell off within 3 day, but the middle one is being stubborn and won't budge. Wondering why, ideas?

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 Cynthia (Atlanta, GA) on 01/24/2009
★★★★★

I have skin tags on my neck, armpits, stomach and face. I have tried tying the skin tags with string , which has worked for me 100% of the time. Usually the skin tag will fall off after 4 or 5 days, does not leave a scar. But I would like to know what can I use on my face for skin tags, I obviously could not walk around with a string tied to my face. I have read other remedies for skin tags, but not sure which method is best for the face.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Tina (Willingboro, NJ) on 11/14/2008
★★★★★

YOU WILL BE AMAZED!!!!
ACV must be the best stuff ever! I had skin tags for years now. Especially after having my twins. Mine always looked like little balls instead of the flat ones. They would sometimes itch too.

Anyway, I was researching some remedies and was going to cut them off. It takes a lot of nerve for me so I couldn't. I saw one post on another site that said to put ACV on a cotton ball and leave it on the tag for at least 10 min. Then start to rub it back and forth and in circles.

Right before your eyes you will notice it starts to lighten in color then seem to stretch a bit and get smaller and smaller. Finally it almost disappears except for a clear tiny sack. I then cut this off with sterilized scissors. (I probably could have kept rubbing but got impatient.) There was no pain at all. Just some tingling while rubbing.

It's been a week so I don't know if they come back or not but I will do this again if they do!

Scissors

Posted by Vanessa (Ontario) on 02/26/2014
★★★★★

I had a skintag in my arm pit that had been bothering me for a while. I read posts above and decided to try.

I just iced the area for three minutes with an ice cube and sterilized a regular pair of scissors. The skintag was kind of wide at the base so I decided to twist it. Everyone was right! Very little pain and small amount of bleeding!! Yay!!

Iodine

Posted by Matt (Boston, MA) on 07/08/2008
★☆☆☆☆

After reading the comments on here, i purchased a bottle of iodine tincture and proceeded applied it 2 times/day to my skin tag over a 3-week period. for the first week or so, i was diligent about (lightly) scraping the outer layer of the tag with a pocket knife before applying. after about a week the tag had become enlarged and quite sore, but i figured i'd stick it out. the soreness did later subside, but the tag remained enlarged and after 3 weeks i decided enough was enough...it simply was not working. I guess iodine works for some people, but it just left me with a big ugly, sore skin tag and some discolored and dry, scaley skin near the tag.

Scissors

Posted by Ruffnreddy (Oakland, Ca) on 04/05/2012
★★★★★

Anne-- I used nail clippers with phenomenal success!

I sounded just awful, that little meaty snip but, it's GONE! And only took a split second (plus the hours of nervous deliberation). Relatively painless, a little neosporin, a band-aid and voila!

But, I did it! I cut the darn thing off!

Thanks for the words of "can do! " to everyone!

Bloodroot

Posted by Andre (Waterbury, CT) on 11/08/2007
★★★★★

yes i have tried the bloodroot paste on many things. i 1st used it on a weird lump i had on my thigh.my doctor had told me it was just fibers under my skin and not to worry, but i had to get rid of it, it just nagged me to be there. so i did a search and thought bloodroot paste might work. and guess what it did. it also got rid of my skin tags. and 1 time out of 5 it left a scar. i think its because i bandaged it with, because the other times i didn't and it left nothing..

The Rip It Off Method

Posted by Lori (France) on 09/09/2007
★★★★★

I agree with the rip it off method. I have been doing that and it works. They itch like crazy when they first start growing in. I was told by a doctor that they are caused by friction. (Is that true?)The ones around a neck could be cause by constant rubbing of a neckline or a necklace. They are easier for me to rip them off then to cut them off. Even if I accidentally rip off only part of it, the leftover stub will dry up and fall off the next day or so. That has always been my experience. I appreciate this site and all the wonderful information.

Tea Tree Oil

Posted by N.M.T. (Florida USA) on 07/12/2007
★★★★★

Just wanted to note that I had a skin tag in my armpit for about two years and decided to put tea tree oil on it. I moderated soaked a cotton ball and did it two days in a row. The second day it turned black and a bit later with some coaxing, it fell off. That same week another popped up on my abdomen and I repeated the procedure and got the same exact results. There are no marks left behind, nothing!

The Rip It Off Method

Posted by Donna (Aspen, CO) on 02/19/2007
★★★★★

I had a skin tag on my arm. My regular doctor saw it and asked me "shall we remove this thing?" I answered with a blank stare, in an instant he took hold of it and yanked it off. It didn't hurt, and he laughed and said "that'll be $75." Of course he didn't charge me. It didn't bleed, or hurt, just a pinch for a moment.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Joe (Houston, Texas) on 06/03/2010
0 out of 5 stars

I tried the ACV and after the 3rd day, its started to burn my skin. I decided to move on. I was so disappointed but I'm still hopeful. I'm moving on the string option! Wish me luck!

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 Sandy (Manchester, Lancashire) on 07/02/2012

So it's three days into tying the dental floss on the big one and that really isn't too bad on the pain front, quite sore where it is tied, but nothing compared to the agony of the ACV. I have now started painting the tags with nail polish, as this is helping to dry them out and although it stings when you first apply, it's nowhere near as painful as ACV and it settles after a while. At this stage, they are still white and hard, and the tied- off one has gone very hard, and has swollen to much bigger than it was, but they are all tender. It's a case of showering after every toilet trip as it is too painful to touch any of them with tissue. Sitting down is interesting, but is possible on a soft surface. There have been two nights when the pain disturbed my sleep so far, so not that bad.

It's a nightmare really, but it will be worth it if they all come off. Altogether this has been going on for ten days now, but painful though it is , there's no going back, I will see this through to the end however. I have to do it as I am single and I am too embarrassed to have sex with anyone. I did think about cutting the big one off, but I cut a small one under my arm off last night (totally painless by the way, didn't even bleed-just snipped it right near the base with nail clippers -don't go too close to the skin, that will hurt) and decided against it as I know it's going to hurt like hell. Anal tags are not like other tags --they have feeling. The one under my arm didn't. I might cut the big one off if it dries up some more, because I could see what I was doing better with that one out of the way. Update soon.

Iodine

Posted by Laurie (New York, Ny/usa) on 11/19/2012

I find it fascinating that all of the NAYS are from guys. Maybe it doesn't work on men?

Iodine

Posted by Glynda (Springfield, Missouri)
★☆☆☆☆

I tried iodine on a mole,it dried the skin out so badly around it that it felt like scales! And the mole is still there. Is this someone's idea of a joke?!!!

Iodine

Posted by Lauren (Chtown, USA) on 06/28/2008

I just wanted to respond that iodine works on skin tags, NOT MOLES! Someone posted that they tried it on a mole-so of course it won't work! So no, it is not a joke, and and a mole is something completely different than a skin tag.

Castor Oil

Posted by Sonny (England) on 05/10/2023

Hi Debbie. It has passed a year. Did you shrink it for good?

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Thursthroughtues (Los Angeles ) on 04/11/2018
0 out of 5 stars

Hi,

first time poster. I used ACV to remove a minuscule skin tag that was on my scrotum. I've had it for years, and I only recently thought about removing it.

So I soaked a cotton ball with Braggs ACV and taped it over the skin tag over night. I may think I applied far too much.

the next day the skin tag was practically gone, but unaffected areas on my scrotum turned black, under the skin. I think I severely burned parts of my penis. Healthy skin is now a black color. Is this permenant? I immediately started to apply neosporin, and have been for the last two days (these burns only showed up yesterday). Haven't noticed much improvement.

The irony is, these black burn marks are very noticible, compared to the skin tag which was the size of a pin-head. Did I permanently damage healthy skin? What should I do besides use neosporin? It really does look like the burns aren't on the surface, they look like they're below a layer of skin. They're not all together, sort of spread out with reddish irritation on the skin between burns.

its only been one full day since I noticed the burns and two since removing the skin tag.

Any responses would help. Thank you!

Bloodroot

Posted by Alex (Thessaloniki, Greece) on 10/25/2016

Here is a photo of my second big skin tag, removed with black salve. The dead cells of the tag have become a scab which have fallen about the 10th day after applycation.

I tried to overdo with the application the second time so I did put much greater quantity of the salve and bondage it for 24 hours instead of 12-14. It wasn't a good idea. The surrounding area got a small surrounding scab too but came of in just a few days. With carefull small application there is much smaller side effects.

Bloodroot is great and kills the bad tissue more easily than hurting the healthy surrounding tissue.

EC: So sorry, your photo didn't upload.