What should you know about cauterizing skin tags?

Skin tags are soft, flesh-coloured growths that often hang from a narrow base. They can catch on clothing, jewellery, or skin folds. A visual examination helps distinguish a tag from a mole, wart, or another lesion that needs different care. Cautery applies heat to the base, often after local anaesthetic. The treated spot then forms a small wound or crust as it heals.

Tell the clinician about medicines or conditions that affect bleeding or wound healing. Do not cut, tie off, or burn a tag yourself, since this can cause bleeding, infection, or an avoidable scar. After treatment, follow the wound-care plan, wash gently, avoid rubbing the area, and leave any crust undisturbed. Keep the site protected from sun while it heals; colour changes can be more noticeable in some skin tones.

Have a growth assessed if it changes, bleeds without rubbing, becomes painful, or has an irregular appearance. Seek advice after cautery if redness spreads, pain increases, the area becomes hot or swollen, discharge develops, or fever occurs. Ongoing bleeding, wound separation, or a lesion that regrows should also be reviewed.

Ask how the diagnosis was made, whether cautery fits the tag’s size and location, and what mark or pigment change could remain. Discuss anaesthetic, dressing care, bathing, activity, medicines that affect bleeding, and the symptoms that warrant follow-up.