What should you know about skin tag over the counter?

Skin tags are soft, flesh-coloured growths that often appear where skin rubs against skin or clothing, such as the neck, underarms, eyelids, or groin. A similar-looking bump can have a different cause, so appearance alone is not enough to choose a product. Acids, freezing agents, cutting devices, and tying products can inflame nearby healthy skin, especially on thin or sensitive areas.

A clinician can examine the growth and explain whether removal is appropriate. Professional options may include cryotherapy, electrosurgery, or a procedure designed specifically for skin tag removal.

Do not apply a wart remover, acid, essential oil, or household chemical to an unconfirmed growth. Avoid cutting or tying it yourself, because bleeding and infection can follow. Keep the area clean, reduce rubbing with loose clothing, and arrange a skin assessment if the diagnosis is uncertain or the tag catches repeatedly.

If removal is wanted for snagging, comfort, or appearance, ask about [Cryotherapy (Lesion Removal)](/treatments/surgical-dermatology/cryotherapy-lesion-removal/), [Electrosurgery](/treatments/surgical-dermatology/electrosurgery/), or [Skin Tag Removal](/treatments/surgical-dermatology/skin-tag-removal/).

Arrange prompt medical review if the growth changes quickly, bleeds without being rubbed, becomes persistently painful, develops an uneven colour, or forms an open sore. Seek care sooner if it is near the eye, on a mucosal surface, or repeatedly injured. These features do not identify a diagnosis by themselves, but they make self-treatment a poor choice.

Ask: Does this look like a skin tag? Is treatment necessary? Which method fits its location and size? How should I care for the area afterward? What change would mean I should return?