What should you know about pedunculated skin tag removal?

A pedunculated skin tag is a soft flap of skin connected by a narrow stalk. It commonly catches on clothing, jewellery, or hair and may become irritated, tender, or bleed after rubbing. Many are harmless, but a growth that is firm, unusually dark, painful, rapidly changing, or not clearly a skin tag should be assessed before removal. The clinician may inspect it closely and choose testing if its appearance is atypical.

A clinician may remove a confirmed tag by snipping it, freezing it, or using heat or another minor procedure, depending on its size, location, and base. The area is cleaned and local anaesthetic may be used. Do not tie thread around the stalk, cut it with household tools, or apply unverified acids, because these approaches can cause bleeding, infection, or an incorrect diagnosis. Keep the site clean, avoid picking the crust, and follow instructions about dressings and bathing. A small mark or colour change can remain while the skin heals.

Arrange an assessment if the growth changes, bleeds repeatedly, becomes painful, or is difficult to distinguish from a mole or other skin bump. After removal, contact the clinic for persistent bleeding, worsening redness, pus, fever, increasing pain, or separation of the wound. Get urgent help for heavy bleeding that does not stop with firm, gentle pressure.

Ask which removal method fits the stalk, whether the tissue should be sent for testing, how to protect the site, and which changes should trigger a review.