Skin Tags

Don't try to remove a skin tag without speaking to your GP first. If you have a skin tag that's causing problems, consider making an appointment with a privately practisingGP to have it removed.

Skin tags can easily be burnt or frozen off in a similar way to how warts are removed . They can also be surgically removed, sometimes using local anaesthetic .

Freezing or burning skin tags can cause irritation and temporary skin discoloration, and the skin tag may not fall off and further treatment may be needed.

Surgical removal has the advantage of removing the skin tag completely, but there is a risk of minor bleeding.

If your skin tag issmall with a narrow base, your GP may suggest that you try to remove it yourself by:

• tyingoff the base of the skin tag with dental floss or cotton to cut off its blood supply and make it drop off (ligation)
• cutting it off with fine sterile scissors

Never attempt to remove large skin tags yourself because they'll bleed heavily.