Skin Tags?

Sunflower49 · 25-08-2013, 13:37

Has anybody ever successfully treated these with at-home methods?

My partner has several on his neck/shoulder area. They aren't very noticeable as his hair is long but they're bothering him-I also have one in my armpit (I think caused by shaving) which doesn't bother me so much but I would prefer to not have it if possible.

I have looked into laser treatment for them but if there's anything we can try first that anybody knows about then I would be grateful.

So far I have heard tee-tree oil, apple cider vinegar, tying cotton/dental floss to them (I have actually used this method before, and it worked, but because the ones in question are small it may be tricky!) and the same sort of products that work for warts/verrucas though I think they're quite strong chemicals and would rather not use these if possible.
Thanks in advance

Margaret Pilkington · 25-08-2013, 14:18

Use the thread method it is the safest to do at home...failing that get in touch with your doctor and he/she will arrange for their removal.

Personally, I wouldn't use the wart removal stuff as warts are a bit different in their composition(skin tags are usually soft and fleshy, warts are firmer and more 'warty' for want of a better word

Sunflower49 · 25-08-2013, 15:26

Neill's doctor was very unhelpful, but then again even with his serious health issues they were useless. I had to go with him and insist on us getting earlier appointments after they seemed to like brushing things under the carpet.
About the skin tags they just said they weren't a health threat so just to leave them alone. I know they don't matter, but they are unsightly and annoy him.

I'll be honest I don't really know what a wart looks like in comparison to a skin tag, some of the ones he has are just tiny round things which is how I would imagine a wart, and I know one of my female friends had some at the top of her thighs (caused by shaving) and she panicked thinking they were warts because they were just tiny bumps.

Margaret Pilkington · 25-08-2013, 15:32

A couple of bits of advice.....1) a Doctor like this is unhelpful and makes patient reluctant to visit...this means an easier life for him, but it is dangerous for the patient..they may ignore something that has the potential to be serious - Change the GP.
2) you have the internet Jen pull up pictures of warts.....they are quite different to skin tags......their surface is rough and feels a bit like the pads on an adult dogs paws...a skin tag is soft and has little in the way of substance to it......usually occurs where two skin surfaces rub together.

The bumps your friend had from shaving were probably ingrown hairs.

maxthecollie · 25-08-2013, 15:52

I have a few around my neck. My wife tied them of with some nylon thread and in a week they just shrivelled up and dropped off

Shurm · 25-08-2013, 17:14

Had one under my arm once put a thread round it nice and tight it did swell a bit at first but dropped off after about a week !!!

gpick24 · 25-08-2013, 17:23

Never had a skin tag, but had a wart once on finger tip. Picked it out one root at a time with a compass, bled like hell, but it never came back.

Margaret Pilkington · 25-08-2013, 18:47

It was probably to scared to come back....seriously though, you were very lucky not to get the site of the wart infected(that's me with my Nurses head on!).

gpick24 · 25-08-2013, 18:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

It was probably to scared to come back....seriously though, you were very lucky not to get the site of the wart infected(that's me with my Nurses head on!).

It wasn`t the prettiest self operation i`ve ever done.

Margaret Pilkington · 25-08-2013, 19:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpick24

It wasn`t the prettiest self operation i`ve ever done.

I'll bet it wasn't. Did your Ma tell you off?

gpick24 · 25-08-2013, 19:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

I'll bet it wasn't. Did your Ma tell you off?

She wouldn`t have noticed. I have been told off by the mrs for removing toenails though.

GJWatson · 26-08-2013, 06:29

done that with a wart myself but have known someone to get the scissors and cut one off. Not a pretty sight, i can tell you!

Sunflower49 · 27-08-2013, 01:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

A couple of bits of advice.....1) a Doctor like this is unhelpful and makes patient reluctant to visit...this means an easier life for him, but it is dangerous for the patient..they may ignore something that has the potential to be serious - Change the GP.
2) you have the internet Jen pull up pictures of warts.....they are quite different to skin tags......their surface is rough and feels a bit like the pads on an adult dogs paws...a skin tag is soft and has little in the way of substance to it......usually occurs where two skin surfaces rub together.

The bumps your friend had from shaving were probably ingrown hairs.

Honestly don't get me started-they're chuffing useless. I wrote a letter of complaint to them recently because they were so disorganised and unhelpful during his recent cancer scare (we have the all-clear for now, thankfully). I wish we could change but no others in his area-however I have advised him that if any further complications occur we are going private! I really cannot stand incapable GPs. Even their practice is a reflection of their care, it's so scruffy and pokey and impersonal-and they're very rude on the telephone too.
Ingrown hairs are a pain-I have had issues with those too. I have had a look at warts now and I understand more what you mean.

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxthecollie

I have a few around my neck. My wife tied them of with some nylon thread and in a week they just shrivelled up and dropped off

I love the unconditional love thing here-I did that with one of Neill's too but I don't fancy my chances with the smaller ones.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shurm

Had one under my arm once put a thread round it nice and tight it did swell a bit at first but dropped off after about a week !!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpick24

Never had a skin tag, but had a wart once on finger tip. Picked it out one root at a time with a compass, bled like hell, but it never came back.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpick24

She wouldn`t have noticed. I have been told off by the mrs for removing toenails though.

I do not want this image in my head

Quote:

Originally Posted by GJWatson

done that with a wart myself but have known someone to get the scissors and cut one off. Not a pretty sight, i can tell you!

I don't fancy that either!

Thank you for all the replies everybody

Studio25 · 27-08-2013, 12:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

...you were very lucky not to get the site of the wart infected...

Um - wasn't it already infected? Warts are benign growths caused by a virus.

Less · 27-08-2013, 13:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxthecollie

I have a few around my neck. My wife tied them of with some nylon thread and in a week they just shrivelled up and dropped off

I had a wife like that, the technique she used was slightly different, but after the honeymoon it may as well have shrivelled up and dropped off!