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Health

Skin tag

(45 Posts)
Sheena Sat 15-Oct-16 12:07:27

I have a horrible skin tag just under my right breast (so awkward to get at) and seems to be a lot bigger now (have had it for a long time) and now I'm noticing it more as my bra rubs on it. Has anyone had one removed successfully either in a clinic, or by doing it yourself? I am so squeamish about tying anything round it and doing my own "snipping" .. so I wonder if anyone has used any of the home remedies with any success?

Any tips gratefully received smile

ninathenana Sat 15-Oct-16 12:14:35

You can buy a lotion to dab on it. I don't know how effective it is.
As for tying it off, you don't snip it you wait for it to drop off due to loosing it's blood supply.

tanith Sat 15-Oct-16 12:14:58

Our GP surgery remove skin tags, I think by freezing. You could ask.

Jalima Sat 15-Oct-16 12:42:10

ninathenana is right, you don't snip it, you tie it and wait for it to drop off.
My DM had some many years ago, which the GP tied with fine wire and they dropped off. I think you can use cotton thread.

Auntieflo Sat 15-Oct-16 14:10:48

I tried the cotton thread option, and the tag just eventually shrivels up and drops off. It was easy to do, if you can reach the blighter. I only tried it because I remember my Mum doing the same thing.

Katek Sat 15-Oct-16 14:54:09

My GP snipped two off at minor surgery clinic....bit nippy but over in seconds.

Irma Sat 15-Oct-16 15:22:29

My friend had quite a few snipped off at her doctors surgery, minor ops, with no problems at all

Greyduster Sat 15-Oct-16 15:25:29

DH had quite a big one removed from his inner thigh at the same time as he had an op for haemorrhoids. They had to put a stitch in where it came off, but it healed in no time. I have a small one under my breast too but at the moment it isn't bothering me.

Greyduster Sat 15-Oct-16 15:27:09

I did say at the time he had his removed that if a bus ran over his head I would no longer have anything with which to identify him!!

annodomini Sat 15-Oct-16 15:48:52

I had a 'tag' on my neck, a papilloma, which the GP 'froze' off successfully. I wouldn't dream of tackling it myself as I'd be sure to make a mess of it and it takes seconds for the GP to do the job.

Wobblybits Sat 15-Oct-16 16:39:50

Mrs P had a clutch on the back of her neck, I tied several off, and before she could say ouch snipped several smalls one off. When I get small one I just grit my teeth and pull them off, they bled for a but but soon heal. I do have one in my groin which i will have to get the Doc to look at some time, but I am seeing him too much with other stuff atm.

Sheena Sat 15-Oct-16 18:04:28

Thanks everyone for your replies .. it seems that the most popular approach will be for me to see the gp and see if it can be removed there ... but being a total cowardy-custard I'll probably put that off !

I did wonder if anyone has tried any of the "remedies" such as tea tree oil , cider vinegar .. etc. and how long does it take for these to work (if ever they do )
and also those of you who have been brave enough to use the cotton method.. how long does it take for the wretched thing to fall off grin

Sorry for all the questions ... thanks for your patience !

Cherrytree59 Sat 15-Oct-16 18:45:30

I tried the tag remover stuff they advertise in newspapers etc with no result. (tag didn't shrivel and fall off ).

If they are large which mine were please do not try to remove by your self.
I had 2 in same place as you Sheena under the breast and a very large one that seemed to be growing at alarming rate on my inner thigh.

Whilst a on a visit for another problem
I mentioned them to my GP
He examined them and I explained that I had tried a tag remover and had considered using cotton thread he shook his head to tag remover and said that I was not to use thread as it could cause non stop bleeding and a wound
He told me to book a double appointment (not easy!)
He first injected some anaesthetic & then burnt the 3 tags off.
No pain at all, no bleeding and no mark.
If GP in your area doesn't offer tag removel, a private clinic will do it for you.

Good luck

granjura Sat 15-Oct-16 19:21:25

With small thin tags, the tying of a thread around the base is so simple and easy. Get a friend or partner to pinche the end with tweezers then you hold it taught whilst friend/partner duble ties it at base with thread- it will just drop off of its own in a couple of days.

If the base is thicker, then it's too late and you'll have to go to GP.

Wobblybits Sat 15-Oct-16 19:47:29

Man up and just snip the small ones off. Many of mine go that way when I shave.

granjura Sat 15-Oct-16 20:17:06

No intention to man up thanks ;)

if you cut them, there is always a risk of bleeding and infection, and also regrowth. Tying is much safer and permanent.

hulahoop Sat 15-Oct-16 20:37:55

Ask your gp if he can freeze it I had several one dr in practise did this for me just stings a bit ❄️?

Treebee Sat 15-Oct-16 21:17:27

I tied cotton round mine and it did fall off successfully. It took a little while as it was on my neck and didn't think going out with a visible knot was a good look!
I'd do it again without hesitation.

Newquay Sun 16-Oct-16 14:54:35

They usually appear where there's friction from clothes eg under bras.
I had three for several years; one behind knee, one inside upper arm and one on navel (which midwife offered to "twist off" for me while awaiting birth of DD1. I said don't you think I have enough to to think about at the mo but did regret not letting her do it).
Anyway back to three tags, went to GP, got appt for small ops clinic and young doctor used a sort of electrical tweezer, snipped them off in a trice and cauterised at the same time. Brilliant, took seconds. Absolutely nothing to it.
Am growing another crop now-around bra line-and could do with another go. Will mention it at my next annual thyroid appointment.

Elizabeth1 Mon 17-Oct-16 08:47:14

I tried all sorts of home remedies and potions to get rid of my skin tag to no avail. Eventually a visit to my GP did the trick even although it was a very nippy experience while getting an injection to freeze the area. Only took seconds.

Maranta Mon 17-Oct-16 09:51:08

I've removed two with tying floss round them. I covered them with a plaster and forgot about them for a few days. They came off with the plaster, no problem.

PamelaJ1 Mon 17-Oct-16 13:29:16

Some surgeries remove them but depends what they are cutting down on.
Some beauty therapist have done further training in diathermy and can deal with them very successfully.

mabel681 Thu 20-Oct-16 16:14:58

I tried a variety of home remedies to get rid of my skin tags but to no avail unfortunately. I did some research online and found HC MedSpa (http://hcmedspa.com/conditions/skin-tag) where they successfully got rid of both of mine. There was a warm sensation when the procedure was taking place but nothing painful which was a relief! Dr. was nice and talked me through the procedure beforehand as I was a little nervous. Would recommend considering if you have not found a solution yet.

Hope this helps, Sheena smile

gillybob Fri 21-Oct-16 00:10:39

Don't (whatever you do) do what my friend did. She cut a piece of raw garlic and fastened it with an Elastoplast to her inner thigh. She replaced it every day. The result . Skin tag gone together with a nasty burn and plastic surgery with a skin graft to repair it. Ouch.

floorflock Fri 21-Oct-16 09:54:53

My husband bought something called TagBands through Amazon as he had several of skin tags. With my help we dealt with them one by one and they have all gone now. You would need help yourself though as you do need to see the area clearly in order to attach it. It was easier than we thought even though some of them were on for several days before they withered up and came off. He said a little discomfort was worth it because, like you, some were rubbing on clothing.