Skin tags are not dangerous, but they can be annoying. These benign growths are usually small, and often occur in underarms, on the neck or near skin folds. Dermatologists can remove them surgically, but they may charge more than you would want to pay. Is there a way to get rid of skin tags at home?
Castor Oil on Skin Tags:
Q. My husband had a large (quarter-sized) flat skin tag on his face in his sideburn area. The doctor had cut it off once, but it came right back. We decided to try castor oil. He applied it with a cotton swab a couple of times a day.
I don’t remember how long it took, but it gradually shrank until it was completely gone. It’s been several years, and it’s never returned.
A. Skin tags are soft fleshy growths that are most common in spots like armpits, groin or under the breasts. Often, they have a little stalk that lifts them off the surface of the skin. That’s why the large flat one on your husband’s face was somewhat unusual. The medical term for these growths is acrochorda. They are not dangerous, but they can be unsightly and annoying.
Dermatologists can remove skin tags surgically. Many readers have successfully used home remedies to get rid of skin tags, however. One favorite is liquid bandage such as New-Skin. Others include castor oil or apple cider vinegar. Keep reading for another person’s experience.
Trouble with Skin Tags:
Q. I don’t know if others have had an experience like mine with castor oil. I had a place on my face about the size of a nickel that looked like a scab but was actually something that developed from a surgical procedure several years earlier. It started tiny and grew bigger over time.
My neighbor suggested castor oil and gave me a little container of it. After about six months of regular application, the thing vanished entirely. That was several years ago but I have also used castor oil on skin tags. They have now gone away.
A. A scab or sore that doesn’t heal should be seen by a dermatologist. Occasionally, that’s how skin cancers appear.
More on Castor Oil to Get Rid of Skin Tags:
Some other readers have had success getting rid of skin tags by applying castor oil to them. Skin tags are fleshy growths that may appear on the neck or face, under the breast or in the groin. While they aren’t dangerous, they can sometimes be unsightly.
If you think you have a skin tag, have it checked by a dermatologist to make sure that is what it is. You wouldn’t want to overlook something more serious because you mistakenly assumed it was a skin tag. In addition, if you have numerous skin tags, especially around the neck, you might have your blood sugar checked. People with metabolic syndrome, diabetes or pre-diabetes appear to be more susceptible to these growths (Seremet & Gurel, Clinical Dermatology, Jan-Feb. 2018).
Other Approaches for Skin Tags:
Some people report that coating the skin tag with New-Skin Liquid Bandage can also be helpful. It may take several weeks to see a response. Not everyone reports success, however. If the problem remains or recurs, you may want to have a dermatologist help you get rid of skin tags.
