How effective is cryotherapy for skin tags?

Skin tags, also called acrochordons, are soft pieces of skin that often hang from a narrow stalk in folds such as the neck, armpits, or groin. Cryotherapy freezes the tag and its attachment so it dries and separates as the site heals. Temporary tenderness, blistering, crusting, or a lighter or darker mark can occur. Freezing is not suitable for every growth: a broad-based tag, a lesion that bleeds, or a growth with an unusual appearance may need examination and another removal method.

Have a clinician confirm that the growth is a skin tag before treating it, and do not tie off, cut, or burn it at home. Ask how to protect the area from friction and deodorant or other irritants while it heals. Keep the site clean, avoid pulling at the scab, and mention any history of pigment changes or abnormal scarring. If several growths are present, discuss whether they should be assessed together.

Call for advice if the site becomes increasingly red, hot, swollen, painful, or starts draining. Seek prompt assessment for a growth that changes quickly, bleeds without rubbing, or fails to heal after treatment. A persistent lump should be reviewed rather than repeatedly frozen without confirming its identity.

Is this growth a skin tag, and why is freezing suitable for its stalk and location? How should I care for the wound in a skin fold? What alternative removes a larger tag, and could the tissue need testing?