What should you know about ligation skin tag?

A skin tag is a soft growth that often hangs from a narrow stalk. With ligation, a clinician places a sterile thread or band around the base so blood flow to the tag is interrupted. The tissue dries and separates over time. The area may be tender, swollen, or discoloured during healing.

Ligation is not suitable for every bump, pigmented lesion, wart, or mole. A growth that bleeds without being knocked, changes quickly, has an irregular surface, or has an uncertain diagnosis should be examined rather than tied at home. Removing a lesion without assessment can delay recognition of another condition.

Arrange an examination before treatment, especially if the lesion is new, changing, painful, repeatedly irritated, or located near the eye or genitals. Tell the clinician about diabetes, immune problems, bleeding disorders, allergies, and medicines that affect clotting or healing.

Keep the area clean and dry according to the aftercare plan. Do not cut, twist, or band the lesion yourself, and do not share home devices. If ligation is unsuitable, a clinician may discuss skin-tag removal, cryotherapy, or electrosurgery instead.

Seek medical advice for spreading redness, warmth, pus, fever, worsening pain, persistent bleeding, or a wound that is not healing. Arrange review if the remaining lesion looks different from the original assessment, enlarges, or develops a dark or uneven colour.

Ask how the diagnosis was confirmed, whether the tissue needs examination after removal, how to protect the wound, and which option is safest for its size, location, and stalk.