The desire to quickly remove a skin tag often leads people to consider over-the-counter (OTC) wart removal products. A skin tag, medically known as an acrochordon, is a common, benign growth composed of loose collagen fibers and blood vessels that projects from the surrounding skin on a small stalk. While generally harmless, these growths can be cosmetically undesirable or become irritated by friction from clothing or jewelry. OTC freezing kits are specifically formulated and regulated for a completely different kind of skin growth, raising questions about their safety and effectiveness when applied to a skin tag.
Understanding Skin Tags Versus Warts
The fundamental difference between a skin tag and a wart lies in their origin and composition, which dictates how they should be treated. Skin tags are non-viral growths that are not contagious and are believed to form due to friction, often appearing in areas where skin rubs against skin, such as the armpits, neck, and groin. They consist of normal skin cells, collagen, and fat cells covered by the epidermis, giving them a soft, smooth texture and a characteristic attachment by a thin stalk.
Warts, in contrast, are infectious growths caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). The virus triggers a rapid, abnormal overgrowth of cells, resulting in a lesion that is typically rough, hard, and hyperkeratotic. Warts contain a viral reservoir and can spread through contact. The soft, benign tissue structure of a skin tag is fundamentally different from the hard, virus-infected tissue of a wart, meaning a treatment designed to target one will not work effectively or safely on the other.
The Efficacy and Dangers of OTC Freezing
Over-the-counter cryotherapy products are designed to destroy HPV-infected tissue. These kits typically use refrigerants, such as dimethyl ether and propane (DMEP), cooling the targeted area to approximately -57°C. This temperature is intended to create a controlled chemical injury that destroys the viral core of a wart, causing the infected tissue to blister and fall off.
When applied to a skin tag, this treatment is often ineffective for complete removal because the skin tag lacks a viral core. Since the growth is a benign bundle of soft tissue, the temperature achieved by OTC products may only freeze the surface layers, resulting in incomplete destruction and requiring repeated applications that elevate the risk of complication.
Dermatologists widely advise against using these products on skin tags due to specific dangers. The application mechanism is not precise, making it probable that surrounding healthy skin will be exposed to the chemical freeze. This can lead to chemical burns, localized pain, and damage to pigment-producing cells. Damage to these cells can cause permanent hypopigmentation (lightening) or hyperpigmentation (darkening), resulting in noticeable scarring.
A serious danger stems from the risk of misdiagnosis, where an individual mistakes a more concerning lesion, such as certain moles or early forms of skin cancer like basal cell carcinoma, for a simple skin tag. Treating such a lesion with an OTC freezer delays proper diagnosis and can obscure its true nature for a medical professional. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has specifically advised consumers against using unapproved products for skin tag removal due to the potential for injury, infection, and scarring.
When Professional Removal is Necessary
The safest and most effective path for removing a skin tag begins with a professional diagnosis to confirm the growth is benign. A dermatologist should examine the lesion, especially if it has changed color, bled, or exhibits any atypical characteristics, to rule out a more serious condition. Once confirmed as a skin tag, a medical professional can use precise, sterile techniques that minimize the risk of scarring, infection, and incomplete removal. Professional removal often employs one of three highly effective methods.
Surgical Excision
Surgical excision, or snip removal, involves the healthcare provider numbing the area with a local anesthetic and then using sterile surgical scissors or a scalpel to carefully remove the tag at its base. This method is quick, works well for larger skin tags, and typically results in minimal scarring.
Electrocautery
Electrocautery uses a high-frequency electrical current to burn the skin tag off, sealing the wound simultaneously to prevent bleeding. This method is highly precise and is often favored for smaller skin tags or for those located in sensitive areas.
Prescription-Strength Cryotherapy
Prescription-strength cryotherapy involves the use of liquid nitrogen, which boils at an extremely cold temperature of -196°C. This lower, more controlled temperature provides a deeper, more effective freeze than OTC kits. The provider precisely targets the skin tag tissue for destruction, after which the growth naturally falls off within about a week.