What Is A Skin Tags?
Skin tags (also known as cutaneous papilloma or fibroma molluscum) are a type of benign skin growth which commonly develop around the neck, armpit, eyelids, breasts, or groin. Skin tags are made of collagen fibres and blood vessels, nerve cells, fat cells and an epidermal layer.
Both men and women are equally prone to developing this problem.
What Causes Skin Tags?
While it’s unclear exactly what causes skin tags, they are believed to occur when there is constant rubbing of the skin against clothing or another area of body.
According to a 2013 study conducted at a medical center in St. Louis has shown that skin tags tended to occur in older adults and people who suffer from type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Other common causes include:
- Hormonal changes (especially for women who are pregnant)
- Human papillomavirus (or HPV)
- The imbalance of sex steroid hormones
Signs And Symptoms Of Skin Tags
Skin tags may start to appear as the small soft bumps on the skin. After that, they grow into flesh-colored raised spots that hang off of the skin. Although skin tags are normally flesh-toned, they may turn black or purple due to a lack of blood flow. Skin tags may also bleed if you wear tight clothes and jewelries that rub against these spots.
Most skin tags are not usually painful, however they can become irritated, sore or painful if they are rubbed a lot.
How To Get Rid Of Skin Tags
Skin tags may not be dangerous but they are unsightly. Fortunately, there is a large number of natural treatments that you can try to get rid of your skin tags at home.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a naturally fermented vinegar which has been widely used for different medicinal purposes since ancient times. Due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, apple cider vinegar is a great way to prevent infection, kill bacteria and promote healing.
There are a few ways that you can apply this vinegar to help treat your skin tags. Dilute one or two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a cup of water and then soak a cotton ball in this solution. Apply it to the affected areas and wait until it is totally dry. Repeat this simple treatment twice a day to get the best results.
2. Vitamin E Oil
Vitamin E oil is a strong antioxidant with extremely important benefits and properties for improving the skin texture. A 2008 study suggested that this oil can work wonders when it comes to some skin diseases, including skin tags.
Purchase a pure, high-quality liquid Vitamin E at your local health food or drugstore. Use this oil or liquid bandage to the skin tag. Rinse it off and change both the bandage and vitamin E oil after 3 – 5 hours. Apply this home remedy two or three times every day until the symptoms resolve.
3. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is believed to be one of the most effective home treatments for all skin problems. It contains antibacterial, antiinflammatory and antioxidant properties which has proven to be particularly effective in getting rid of skin tags and other skin disorders.
Add 3 or 4 drops of tea tree oil to ½ cup of water and then soak a few cotton balls in a mixture. Apply these cotton balls and gently massage them on your skin tags for two or three times daily until you feel better.
4. Garlic
Garlic is great home remedy for getting rid of skin tags without any medication or external interference. Packed with powerful antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties, garlic is believed to treat both warts and skin tags effectively in a week or less. Use minced garlic to your tag and cover with a bandage. Rinse it off after 6 – 8 hours and use a soft towel to dry your skin.
Repeat this process 2 – 3 times a week to avoid allergic reactions or skin irritation.
5. Coconut Oil
For thousands of years, people have taken advantage of the coconut oil benefits to remove skin tags and other skin conditions. Hundreds of studies have shown that the lauric acid present in coconut oil can help kill viruses, fungi bacteria and protozoa due to its power of dissolving.
Before going to sleep, apply the coconut oil to your tags. Leave it on overnight and then wash it off the next morning. Use this simple treatment once everyday until the tags fall off.
In addition to skin tags removal, lemon juice is a potential remedy for a black eye.
6. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is an excellent source of citric acid, which is effective at getting rid of skin tags by decomposing the cells. Just apply some lemon juice onto the affected area and leave it on without rinsing it off. You can repeat this process two or three times everyday for at least three weeks to get the best results.
7. Banana Peel
Although you might not believe it, banana peel is one of the most effective ways being used to get rid of skin tags. Cut the peel into small pieces and put the inside of the banana peel on the tag. Make sure that you wrap it with the bandage to keep it on overnight.
