Skin tags: these are growths of flesh, otherwise known under the names of fibroepithelial papilloma, fibroepithelial polyp or even teats. Appear on the skin as small, fleshy growths that hang near the eyelids, armpits, neck, groin and under the breasts. Skin tags often appear unexpectedly in middle age and occur more commonly in pregnant women and overweight people.
Even though these skin growths, resembling fat balls , are mostly benign and non-cancerous, it is advisable to consult a doctor before any implementation of home treatments, which generally give very good results.
Home remedies for skin tags
If you do not wish, at first, to undergo a treatment for skin tags by cauterization using cryotherapy or even by electrocoagulation as dermatologists would do, you can try these natural methods, which will certainly take longer, but will be painless.
1. Apple cider vinegar
Malic acid is a natural compound found in apple cider vinegar. Malic acid is a common additive in skin care products for its exfoliating products. It penetrates deep into the skin thanks to its chemical composition.
Using apple cider vinegar to separate skin tags. Here is how to do it:
- Wash the area around the fibroid thoroughly with mild soap and water.
- During the first time, soak the tag in water for about 15 minutes. You can do this by putting a soaked cotton in it or by following the following steps after a good shower.
- Dry it.
- Dip a piece of cotton wool with organic apple cider vinegar and squeeze it lightly to remove excess vinegar.
- Place the cotton directly on the skin growths and secure it with a bandage. Leave on for 15 minutes, then remove and rinse with water.
- Repeat 3 times a day for several days, up to a week. Fibroids should first turn dark, crust, dry out, and eventually fall off.
- Depending on the size of the fibroid or how deep it is in the skin, it may cause minor damage to the skin (a small hole or irritation), aloe vera gel should be applied to the skin to allow it to heal and ward off infection.
If the skin tag is not rooted deep in the skin, there will be no scar if the procedure is done carefully.
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2. Castor oil
Castor oil is another powerful compound that you can use to remove skin tags, corns and warts as well. It works by drying out the skin, the tissues will slowly dry out and become brittle. The skin tag will dry up and fall off on its own. The trick is that you have to keep applying the oil, at least twice a day, every day.
- Take a cotton ball, soak it in castor oil and squeeze out the excess.
- Place the soaked cotton on your skin and secure it in place with a bandage, or a piece of duct tape.
- The oil reduces skin tags, moles, warts, within days. They eventually fall off without leaving scars.
- Remove and change the bandage every day until you get the desired results.
Prefer organic castor oil that you can find in pharmacies.
3. Dental floss
A common remedy is to tie the skin growth at the base with dental floss or thread . A 2009 Swedish clinical trial found that constricting blood flow to the area kills tissue and helps the fibroepithelial polyp to come off. detachment would occur in 90% of the cases in the study when blood flow to the area was reduced in this way.
However, clinician-dermatologist Dr Katherine Lim firmly states that only a doctor should attempt to remove a skin tag by this method. Dr Lim warns that a healthcare professional must do an evaluation and diagnosis to rule out more serious skin conditions. Symptoms like bleeding, pain and scarring can result from the process.
4. Nail Polish
According to stylotips.com, only a handful of treatments exist, and clear nail polish is the ingredient in one of those methods. The site recommends applying the polish to the skin growth twice a day until it comes off. Do not use near the eyes, nostrils, lips or on skin tags around the anus.
5. Baking soda and castor oil
A combination of baking soda and castor oil creates a balm that dries out tissue, allowing skin tags to fall off in about two weeks.
- Combine enough baking soda and castor oil to form a thick paste. Apply the paste on the affected areas three times a day.
6. Fenugreek seeds
Fenugreek, a plant that has been used for centuries in Arabic, Greek, Italian and Indian medicine, contains powerful antioxidants. Although more studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness for treating skin tags, stylotips recommends soaking fenugreek seeds in water overnight and then drinking the water in the morning on an empty stomach. Alternatively, you can chew the soaked seeds.
Do not ingest more than 100 g of fenugreek seeds per day. People who suffer from anemia or thyroid should avoid fenugreek.
7. Oregano oil
Oregano oil contains thymol, carvacrol, and p-cymene – three types of terpenoid phenolic components – and these have powerful antibacterial properties. They also contain antimelanomics, antispasmodics, anti-inflammatories, anti-oxidants and antiseptic properties.
- This oil has the potential to remove skin tags on average within a month.
Make a mixture of four to six drops of coconut oil and two to three drops of oregano oil, to be applied directly to the area three times a day.
This should dry out the skin growth so that it falls off on its own. Oregano essential oil should never be used near your eyes.
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