Comments on: Tag: You're It!

Question: Tag: You're It!

benzo8 — Fri, 03 Sep 2004 03:10:17 -0800

SkinTagFilter: I have a tag right on the apex of my ever-growing spare-tyre - I've had it for a long time, but as I'm succumbing to the middle-age spread, it's becoming more prominent, rubbing on clothing, etc. Is there any problem with me getting a sterilised scalpel and just whipping it off, then staunching the blood flow like I'd been injured naturally and letting it all heal?

By: skylar

skylar — Fri, 03 Sep 2004 05:07:05 -0800

"A friend" tells me it's perfectly fine to get a piece of thread and wrap it tightly around the tag until it pops off.

By: i_cola

i_cola — Fri, 03 Sep 2004 05:12:41 -0800

I was going to suggest what skylar just did.

By: penguin pie

penguin pie — Fri, 03 Sep 2004 05:17:37 -0800

Me too, it works. Tie tight, now.

By: benzo8

benzo8 — Fri, 03 Sep 2004 05:18:25 -0800

As in, leave the thread on for a day or three /until/ it drops off, or wind the thread tighter and tighter until it, erm, pops off?

By: ODiV

ODiV — Fri, 03 Sep 2004 05:18:37 -0800

I accidentally ripped one of mine half off (ow!). I used scissors to get the last of it and then swabbed it with alcohol and put on a bandage. It was fine.

I really should get the rest of them, but they don't really bother me that much.

By: penguin pie

penguin pie — Fri, 03 Sep 2004 05:40:11 -0800

It's been a while, but I think I just tied it tight and left it - took quite a while but eventually it just erm.. (GrossFilter) dried up and fell off. I might have retied at some point but as long as its tight, should do the job. Mine was pretty tiny.

By: luser

luser — Fri, 03 Sep 2004 06:01:04 -0800

What's a tag?

By: Witty

Witty — Fri, 03 Sep 2004 06:10:05 -0800

Thank you luser. Additionally, I'm not easily freaked or grossed out, but for some reason...

By: jpoulos

jpoulos — Fri, 03 Sep 2004 06:59:05 -0800

Skin tags. I never knew what they were called. I get them all the time and I've taken out a few with a sharp scissors. A sterile scalpel is probably much smarter. They bled like hell, but they healed just fine.

By: penguin pie

penguin pie — Fri, 03 Sep 2004 06:59:49 -0800

Er. Don't wanna be the expert... but just a kind of teensy bump of skin a few mm across that sticks out.

They're usually pretty unobtrusive but whatever you do don't do a Google image search. I just did in the interests of enlightening my fellow human beings and entered a whole world of dermatological extremis.

Scuse me, gotta put my head between my knees.

By: MrMoonPie

MrMoonPie — Fri, 03 Sep 2004 07:30:24 -0800

I've used the thread method. The tag swells up and gets sore, but then, yes, it eventually dries up and drops off.

My preferred method is to use boiled fingernail clippers. Yup.

By: rushmc

rushmc — Fri, 03 Sep 2004 07:53:22 -0800

Interesting. I had never heard of these.

By: o2b

o2b — Fri, 03 Sep 2004 07:53:58 -0800

jpoulos' link suggests they are frequently frozen off, and I've recently started seeing commercials for an at-home wart treatment that involves freezing. (Compound W Freeze Off?) Perhaps this would do it?

By: the fire you left me

the fire you left me — Fri, 03 Sep 2004 07:58:34 -0800

Just go to the doctor and have CO2 laser removal. Just a $20 copay.

By: mecran01

mecran01 — Fri, 03 Sep 2004 08:16:03 -0800

You can get benzocaine over the counter too, in various formulations. I haven't been able to find the home freezing kit, but it looks fun.

By: John Kenneth Fisher

John Kenneth Fisher — Fri, 03 Sep 2004 08:38:36 -0800

I've cut off very small ones with zero pain whatsoever. I mean, zero. I don't think they have nerves in them. (though mine may not be equal to yours)

By: theora55

theora55 — Fri, 03 Sep 2004 08:59:40 -0800

If it's darker than your skin, reddened, or crusty (sorry, penguin pie) visit a doctor, and get thoroughly checked. Yuo don't want to cut skin cancers yourself. Skin cancers, including the nasty melanomas, are increasing and can be serious.

By: luriete

luriete — Fri, 03 Sep 2004 11:24:28 -0800

I used an xacto blade, works for warts too. AND MEDDLESOME EXTRA DIGITS

By: five fresh fish

five fresh fish — Fri, 03 Sep 2004 11:40:37 -0800

I've had skin tags removed by freezing, and I've had moles removed by surgery. The latter left "boat shaped" scars, the former left no scar or a shallow circular scar.

No big deal either way.

It is worth having a doctor check 'em out before you get them removed, though. Just a cautionary cancer check.

By: benzo8

benzo8 — Fri, 03 Sep 2004 13:33:43 -0800

Thanks for the advice guys.

theora55: It's not a tumour - wrong colour, wrong shape, ain't changed in years, not scabby, doesn't pus, etc.

I think, as no-one's found a decent reason why I shouldn't, I'm gonna scalpel the bugger. I'll get some disinfectant and some gauze, and be prepared for the blood.

I would string it, but I'm impatient. And freeze it - brrrr! (And anyhow, as I recall, it doesn't drop off immediately then either - just dies and then drops off eventually - much like stringing.)

See you in casualty! (ER, for the USians...)

By: five fresh fish

five fresh fish — Fri, 03 Sep 2004 14:21:42 -0800

Take pictures! (Ewwwww!)