Skin tags are small harmless benign tumors that stick out of the skin and are found in the creases of the skin like the groin, armpits, neck and at times on the eyelids. They maybe as small as a grain of rice or can be as big as a golf ball. The surface of the skin tag can be smooth or irregular and other then being harmless they are more of an irritant like when they rub against clothes or jewelry. The reason for the formation of skin tags is not known and some people believe that they occur after one has crossed their middle age or with people who have high stress levels. All these are just theories and since they are just found to be a harmless extension of the skin not much research has been done on them. Most people worry about two things if they have skin tags; the first is, are they benign or not and if they impede a person's looks or are troublesome can they be removed. The answer to the first is given by a doctor who upon examination determines if the skin tag is harmless or not. Some people don’t even know that they have a skin tag especially if it's on their back and they cannot touch it. Some people have multiple skin tags and may get them at a very early age.

There are several ways of removing skin tags all depending on how big and where the skin tag is. The most common way of removing a small skin tag is by the skin tag removal string method. One takes a string thread and ties it tightly around the base of the skin tag. This cuts of the blood supply to the skin tag and the skin tag dries up and drops off. The skin tag removal string method is commonly used in counties where people don’t have readily available medical care facilities or cannot afford them. It is also popular in the west as it is one of the simplest and cheapest methods of getting rid of skin tags. A second method is freezing a skin tag with liquid nitrogen. However care needs to be taken and instructions followed when using this method of removing skin tags. There might be a scar left after removing a skin tag using the freezing method. If one is up to it one can cut of a skin tag with a sharp blade or scissors, however make sure that the blade or scissors are sterilized and one can do this by holding it on an open flame and heating it to kill any germs on the blade surface. Slice the skin tag off and apply an antiseptic as some bleeding may occur. If one wants to pull out a skin tag with a pair of tweezers it would be best to numb the area first by rubbing an ice cube on the skin and then heaving the skin tag out. Again there maybe bleeding so have an antiseptic handy. If one wants to get rid of the skin tag but is not up to doing it oneself or if one has genital skin tags then a visit to a doctor should take care of getting the skin tag removed. Cutting off a skin tag is quite common and quite safe. Some skin tags can be irritating and with rubbing against clothes may start to itch and irritate or turn red. One can put a band aid on it or remove it.

There are any numbers of home removal skin tags methods available and as they are harmless they are not difficult to get rid off. Looking up a safe home removal skin tag method is easy on the internet as there are numerous sites that show one how to do it and this can be tried at home. Just make sure that no bacteria or open wound remains after removing the skin tag.