I’ve had skin tags pop up in different places around my neck and shoulders for years and I’ve always had success using ice pack to numb them, then use new sanitized nail clippers to clip them at the base and clean the wound and apply pressure to stop the bleeding, then Neosporin and bandaid and they never leave scars or reappear. Works for me for many years.
I bought a pair of toenail clippers that I only use for that purpose. I soak the end in alcohol and snip snip. I’ve probably removed 12-15 over the years. I lost count.
I’m about to go do this right now. The cost of getting them removed is completely ridiculous. TBH I’d rather accidentally cut off a mole than pay $800 for this.
My wife and I go regularly to a great dermatologist to get stuff checked and removed. As seniors it is wise to just put this into the annual budget as a maintenance item like car maintenance. With routine skin tags, we snip them off at home. A little alcohol and a pair of curved surgical scissors and they are gone. No pain other than a little dab of alcohol.
this is exactly what my derm 'taught' me to do. She explained that if she did a procedure it would be $200 but if she 'taught' me how to care for it myself, it was free.
One time I went to a dermotologist at a research hospital where I worked as a consultant. I asked ahead of time how much it was going to cost total with all procedures and anything else they had to add to get 20-25 tags removed and was quoted $150. The following weeks, I went in to get them done (I made an appointment bc I was only there every few weeks for work). The derm came in, chatted with me for a few minutes and said she had to leave for a meeting. I asked her what about my tags and she said she was unaware that that's what I came in for. Since I was not about to leave, she realized she had to do them. A few weeks later, I got a bill from the hospital for $800+!!! This made me angry again after the visit with the derm and went in to contest the bill. After explaining to the derm that it was an error (she said what did I expect, it was a teaching hospital), I went to their billing department and complained there about everything and that I was not going to pay more than the $150 I was quoted by the derm dept. Luckily, after explaining everything to the billing dept, they relented and charged me $225. It was a disgusting experience and now I do them myself. And, I filed a formal complaint to the hospital explaining everything. Several months later, they reimbursed me 100% and stated that they were retraining their staff.
You did absolutely the right thing appealing it in the various hospital appeals avenues. I am so delighted that you later got the $225 refunded and learned they are going to train their staff differently.
As a RN of 40 years, times have changed. Docs used to remove skin tags as part of routine care and and consultation. A few snips and no insurance involved. Insurance covered the office visit. Sad how monetary some simple procedures have become. 😢
One dermatologist charged me about 200 just to have a spot checked and here it was a pimple she cleaned out. I have a skin tag on my face and with limited insurance dermatologists won't take what I have. And I live with this thing on my face.
I mentioned to my gynecologist that a skin tag on my groin was bothering me because it was being chafed by my underwear. She said "I can take care of that... " and went to get some liquid nitrogen. She froze it, slapped on a bandaid, and I left. Fast forward a month and I get a bill from her office. Instead of a $0 annual wellness visit I was charged FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS for an "outpatient surgical procedure"...
So glad I found this - saw my dermatologist for routine skin check and let her know these are a concern for me with my upcoming wedding and got an appt and pricing to have them removed 🙌🏼 Thank you docs!
I'm not going to lie: last year I went to a dermatologist and she removed like 70+ skin tags from my neck and face, all with anesthesia and laser removal... Yeah, it was hard because I'm such a coward with medical procedures, but it definitely was SO WORTH IT.
Was the laser painful? I’ve been avoiding this for years because I hate the idea of having someone poke and cut my neck. It seems so personal and sensitive.
@@jwinsor Yeah the laser hurts a little, like you feel it when it burns during the light emission, but it's tolerable. You should do it, the change is awesome. I'm taking my mom this Friday to the dermatologist to remove her skin tags.
Skin tags are the bane of my existence! I've had at least 80 removed by my Dr with just sharp scissors, no pain blocking. All the extra you had done was probably more painful than the scissor snip. I've had 2 sessions with a Dr but now I just do it myself as long as the base is small. The reason for that is that if the base is wide it can bleed a bit and a Dr has a little pen like thing that will stop it. I clean the area thoroughly with alcohol, as well as my scissors, then just start snipping. Piece of cake!
I love going to my local library even though I can access things online. Nothing like walking into a building full of amazing books & meeting wonderful staff who are enthusiastic to help. Thanks to you @Connie-iy9xl for your hardwork. You and your fellow librarians are amazing!!
Yes and if people don't know, not only can you borrow physical books, videos, etc., you can also borrow digital books and audiobooks books from home after getting your library card and setting up your account!
I’m standing near a large stack of check outs that includes books, movies and video games. My library even allows you to check out passes to a local botanical garden. Lots of great stuff at the library!
I went there, the homeless hang out there all day and use the restrooms all day. Yes, libraries are used. In small towns, they’re used by lots of people
OMG that was so simple , this is the first time I have seen a doctor literally getting treated on video from the same issue I have been suffering from . I have a similar skin tag at the same exact location like Dr. Shah and I came searching to get rid of the same. Thankyou for showing us how it's done and sharing your knowledge on the same . Again Thanks a ton from India . 👍
I once felt what I thought was a skin tag in the shower. It was in a hard to see area. After two weeks I finally got a mirror and found out it was a tick. Lesson learned.
Im a vascular ultrasound tech and we treat spider veins. Have you guys done a video talking about spider/varicose veins? I feel like the vein space should be talked about more and a lot of people should know it’s treatable and super easy
This would be so helpful! I’m 29, 30 in July.. and I’ve been working on my feet since I was about 14-15…. And my legs had “barely” visible spider veins (unless you were close up) but now I can see them without having to hold my skin taute… and I don’t have any children yet 😢
I'm doubting between laser and asclera injections for spiders. I'm a bit scared of scars (and the pain). I already hate intradermal injections and this doesn't sound appealing either. Also, esp not on my ankles. And some people say laser is more painful. Ofc i want the most efficient option, with the least amount of pain and not lots of things that can go wrong. Also a problem is: I love my scalding hot baths in winter, not really a good thing for those veins. And compression stiockings look like a hassle after treatment. So mabybe I'l just reort to tanning lotion or something to try to cover them up.
@@chai_lattes Cosmetic Sclerotherapy for spider veins is not but varicose veins are considered a medical reason such as symptoms those are covered by most insurances
I actually bought the small elastic device off of Temu for $1.73. Worked great for me. I’ve done 3 so far. Medicaid wouldn’t cover this and single parents with disabled kiddos can’t afford it. So this was just to try. And I’m pleased. 1 in my bra area and 2 on my neck. No others are big enough yet. Cleaned area with alcohol and applied the elastic. 2-3 days they were gone. Again cleaned with alcohol. Can’t even see the spot.
I had one on my neck when I was young. My mom tied it off with a strand of hair, and it fell off after a week or so. Most of those things you showed that "could be mistaken for skin tags" looked completely different to an observant eye. But I can appreciate the urge for caution - no one wants to be the one in a who gets it wrong.
I love that you two were real about the cost. Feeling prepared financially is empowering to make better decisions. Like just walking in and hearing a price tag can be off putting and frustrating.
I have heard $1,000 so I am going to try another office. I had it done many years ago and all they did was snip them off with a small scissor and I paid $150. Now they want almost 8x as much under the new doctor. I will look for another office.
@@mocheen4837 I actually found some derma offices offer specials on GroupOn and is was as low as $30 per tag. Definitely research the office and technician but that could be a way to keep costs low.
As a malignant melanoma survivor, I’ve become much more aware of the variety of things on my skin. I have 3 month checkups and am going to ask my dermatologist about removing my skin tags just to give me a little more peace of mind. As for other topics, I searched for any videos you might have on hidradenitis suppurativa but didn’t see any. My sister has suffered with hs for at least 20 years so I would love to hear your thoughts about it.
@@anezkaburesova7855 I’m so sorry for your loss. 💔 Melanoma is definitely a very serious and sometimes very aggressive type of cancer that more people should understand and make a lot more effort to prevent.
Funny! I just removed a very small skin tag last night. It was bugging the heck out of me. I just used topical numbing cream, very sharp small scissors and alcohol to sanitize everything (including the scissors). There was a tiny spot of blood and it hurt a teeny bit but I got the job done! 🎉🎉🎉
Thank you for this great info. I went to a dermatologist several years ago and he told me every thing that I had and did NOTHING! He said, 'sorry but I wont remove them". Didnt even offer to remove it for a price! Just charged me and my insurance for NOTHING! Now I know what to say and ask. All these years and I wondered what dermatologists actually did?!
I have about a dozen skin tags that I would like removed. The biggest issue I face is getting a dermatologic appointment. Last time, I had to wait 8 months to be seen! And that was for something that was considered suspicious for skin cancer. The lack of doctor availability is really out of control.
I have been detagged three times, my neck, my armpit areas/sides where it rubs and eyelid (for this one my Doc sent me to a dermotologist due to thin and sensitive skin around the eyes) total with insurance was about 250.00. the armpits were due to pain when showering with a loofa or putting on or removing my undershirts, eye and neck were strictly vanity 😁😁 but overall all were worth it, I just had a mole below my left eye removed which was sent for testing and benign, that one was 75.00, I'm happy I had them all removed though. I'm happy to report no new growth or regrowth, all the tags were frozen and no scarring occurred, always seek medical and professional attention for them.
I was fortunate enough to find you two when you were just starting out with your channel. I've learned so many things about skin care, and the best part of the entire experience is that you're very entertaining and enthusiastic about teaching the masses. Young men such as yourselves are an inspiration for all the up and coming physicians. ❤ I'm 57, so I can get away with calling you both young men 😉
I was prediabetic and had many symptoms of metabolic syndrome. Sixteen months ago I changed my way of eating to the Carnivore diet. Over these months ALL my numerous skin tags have fallen off. Additionally, I have a list of 26 things that have improved while eating only animal products, predominantly beef and beef tallow. I'll never go back to eating those pesky plants. I'm 75 and am now in excellent health with no diagnosis, take no pills, and have excellent energy and mental clarity. I love this way of eating!
Panamafre0 - Thats an amazing achievement. I would like to know if a meat does have its benefits and complication as in many peoples and by the way i was a nurse for a bit. I ve seen many diets which/what can do to peoples mind , body, & soul in but its hard to explain to the patients especially when someone was brought up on a pure vege diet like me but lately i ve taken on FISH, SCALLOPS, MUSSELS, CHILLI CRABS plus which is great. Lets not forget that we as any known living beings for billions of yesrs have been consuming each and everything on this planet. Due to all changes over 100k yrs plus, all so called cultural ideologies takes place. We as humans have amnesia as to how we came here. FOOD is just a hint of NOT just human journey on this earth, all our friend in our gslaxy & way beyond. There are no rules of survival when you have to survive on these ANCIENT PLANET. Enjoy
My brother went vegan and gave us the whole long speech about why we shouldn't eat meat so my daughter and I went vegan as well. Within a few years all of us... my brother his wife, me and my daughter all developed autoimmune disease. Now we're all forced to eat carnivore/keto whether we like it or not. Definitely don't recommend the plant diet. The amount of chemicals used is enough to destroy you
Once I had some skin tags removed from my neck and it was the most painful experience in my life. It was a dermatologist who did the procedure and she used like a pencil with a very hot tip. No anestesia, no recomendations after the procedure. After the awful experience, every time I have a medical consultation I prepare a list of questions about my issue and ensure the doctor is not just interested on the cost and the money he is going to earn...
You can DIY skin tag removal if they're small. Nail clippers (straight edge) and hand sanitiser get the job done. You can also prevent them from returning but cutting carb intake - I find grains to be bland and a waste of stomach space and sugar to be unhealthy. So I only get meat, veg and fruit.
I had one on my neck and a dermatologist removed it. I asked him how to prevent them and he said "don't gain weight ". Since then, I have found if I remove most of the sugar from my diet, they disappear.
I have a lot of skin tags and keratoses on my skin. I buy a freeze-off wart remover that uses little sponge applicators to place against the wart or skin tag to freeze them. After treating them it takes about a week for them to fall off. I do still go to my dermatologist at least once a year, usually twice, to check all my spots. One thing I have learned is when you go to the doc about spots you want to have removed, insurance will often pay for removal if it is for medical reasons, such as itching and bleeding. Simple removal because you ask for it is considered cosmetic or elective, which insurance does not cover. But medical reasons, like itching and bleeding, is not elective, so insurance will probably cover it. Ask the doctor before they proceed - they will know. And remember, wear sun screen!
I have a friend who wanted hers removed and she was told it would cost $100 per skin tag, and she had a lot. Needless to say, she didn’t get it done. I cut mine off if I can reach them. I have more “barnacles” (some sort of keratosis??) than skin tags. I scape most of them off when I can. I ice them down first, and then dab a little lidocaine cream on them. It helps, but the barnacles do bleed. 😮
I just got mine off with a pair of nail clippers, a few nights ago I went at it with those tiny pedicure scissors and failed and found out some of them have nerve endings. I am a testament to human determination
My dad was an MD. He used to tie off my mom's skin tags with a piece of hair. I did this as well when I had a bunch on my chest during a pregnancy. Easy peasy...
What i really want to hear is how to force insurance to pay for things. Because everyone equally deserves aesthetic, affirming treatments, regardless of the money they have. Like, for example, if you damage a skin tag, would it then be determined a “medical issue” and therefore be covered by insurance?
I've had them removed. My dermatologist cuts them off. It was $200 for up to 6 skin tags but she actually took off a few more for free. Loved it!! Going back soon.
I had roughly 30 skin tags and I removed them with bands of silicon. Took about 2 months to get rid of them all but, I oiled up and didn't scar at all. I am an insulin dependant diabetic due to meds for incurable stage 4 lung disease (8 years of constant steroids) None have come back. I thought very carefully before doing this procedure and as I'm on constant antibiotics I knew my risks would be very low for infections. I researched thrombolising the tags and got the bands tight upto to normal skin - All 30 dropped off naturally and without any scarring or damage to surrounding skin.
My sister used to clip mine off with cuticle scissors. No anesthesia. I was always fine. Years ago I went to a Dermatologist to have a bunch of them removed. After the first few numbing injections I asked him to just take them off without b/c the shots were too much. He was burning the tags off with a little tool. I got through about 20 or so b/f I had to stop. He couldn't believe it. Now that my sister is gone I will have to go to the doctor to have them removed (plus some large ones I always go to the doctor for).
Wow. I’ve had one of these tags on my neck for decades, ever since I was a kid, and it NEVER once occurred to me that it was something I could remove lol.
Same.. I had one on my side that I've had about 15 years. I watched this and just cut it off like they did in the video using isopropyl alcohol to clean the area and the scissors. It was much harder to cut than they made it look and if you don't like the sight of your own blood, I don't recommend doing this.
All the doctors I’ve been too get super offended and treated me really bad for asking for skin tag removal, I haven’t found a doctor since to help with this
I really appreciate how much information you guys put out there for free. I wish I had been aware of skincare routines when I was younger. It just didn’t seem like something “guys” did.
Bravo! Its refreshing to hear a Dr say - high carb diets, (high insulin) causes skin tags. Cutting carbs is key in reducing tags! Many on a carnivore diet have found their skin tags diminishing.
from your video i learned that i should clean the area with alcohol first, then after snipping it off (i used nail clippers, it was on my bicep), applied vaseline and a bandaid. Thanks a bunch. you are intelligent and good students of your field. may you live to be a thousand.
Love you guys thank you for all the helpful videos and even demonstrating how it gets done!!! As an esthetician I send all my clients to your videos for better explanation. THANK YOU x1000
It seems like after I tested positive for COVID-19 in 2020 skin tags started popping up everywhere on my body. I really am considering having them looked at and removed after watching this video.
All 3 suggested methods, tying, with liquid nitrogen cooled pliers or with a scalpel. All this can be done by anyone at home, it does not require a dermatologist, when it comes to these small skin tags.
That explains why they are along the under bra line. I’ve had them since my 20’s - not overweight but a former dancer and athletic so I’m thinking friction. Mine usually just get cut off but they never used lidocaine.
Thanks for clearing the air about SO MANY SUBLECTS! I'm a skin tag factory, so I have a much better insight as to how to treat (or not treat) them. Thanks again
Great info as usual, thank you both so much. I do want to let Dr. Maxfield know I go to my local library regularly. It is an excellent resource and asset to the community! 🤓
Thanks immensely for the DIY treatment prescriptions. I will surely try the apple cider vinegar as a cleanser, i may get it diluted with rose water, soaked in cottonwool and dab it all over the skin tags. Hopefully, it will prevent more tags from growing..
I will never have the VA remove another skin tag again. My skin tag had a stalk close to a quarter of an inch in diameter. The doctor didn't give me any type of numbing agent. She used a scalpel to "saw" it off. Then the doctor and her assistant took turns putting pressure on the area as I was bleeding. The whole procedure lasted a good 20 minutes. Never again.
I had a few on my neck in different areas. I pinched each skin tag between my thumb & index fingernails, squeezed as hard as possible & pulled. None of them ever grew back.
I had a few clusters from childhood that drs said was just a moles/birthmarks that suddenly became bigger and with smaller skin tags growing in between. Was concerned/anxious and finally asked for a biopsy and got them removed. The person I went to took 4 visits before they did and was painful and deep. I would never have done it myself...
The difference between here in the uk and US is , I have about 4 on my neck that I would like removed, but we can’t just see a dermatologist, we who have to be referred, and we wouldn’t get a referral just for skin tags.
My dermatologist zapped it off with an electronic device. My insurance covered it due to their location was constantly being rubbed causing irritation.
I have a skin tag that was burned with liquid nitrogen at my Dermatologist’s office two weeks ago and it has dried out, but still there. Does this mean there wasn’t enough nitrogen to remove it? Thank you for the video and I found it interesting and educational about the metabolic part.
I went to a derm recently and asked for one (1!!) of my MANY skin tags to be removed since it was catching on my shirt sleeves. No talk of price or anything and she just grabs the liquid nitrogen and squirts the thing about 3 times. She then says that she wants to see me again a few weeks later to check up on it or some stupid reason. Cut to a week or two later and I get a bill for around $200!! I pay it because what else am I going to do, but when they call to set up the second appointment I just essentially tell them to take me off the books because I WILL NOT be seeing this B word again. I'll just cut off what I affectionately call my "little F'ers" from now on. Screw the American "healthcare" (read: line my pockets) system! I also still have hyperpigmentation at the site too so that's great as well...
Everyone in my family has skin tags and I started to get a few of them in my late 20’s early 30’s. I used to see them on both Grandparents… my Mom and my younger sister…. When I changed my diet and lifestyle and cut out a majority of processed food and sugar they fell off!!!! I absolutely believe they are related to insulin resistance in most people! I saw it with my own eyes! Just disappeared and fell off the healthier I got!❤️❤️❤️
@@KFontLab This is the kicker. The last couple of months I started HRT and I think it made me have cravings like pms when I was younger. Needless to say I started eating sugar and cheat snack’s every day! I kid you not, I just noticed I’m getting baby skin tags developing on my neck! I think people need to realize our bodies naturally want to be healthy. I think this is a physical sign/symptom the body is trying to let us know something isn’t right. People just think it’s aging or an aesthetic annoyance but it’s not. Like arthritis, aching joints - it’s all inflammation. This always pops up for me when I eat foods I’m not supposed to!!!
I had some skin tags removed from neck by PA at doctors office. I’m now scarred at every skin tag she froze. I now wear collared shirts and blouses to help cover my neck. Using a cream to help bring my skin back to color. Was never informed how to take care of, only that they’d get really dark and fall off. Did not happen as she told me at all.
I use to get it and am diagnosed as pre diabetic. My wife use to tie her air around it carefully and tight,in one to four days it fall of.... No need 50$ just your wife's or moms hair, its the best removal method,painfree too😂
*Request* My 21 year old daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was 1 year old. Over the years she’s had more injections on her arms that can be counted, and insulin pump infusion sites on her abdomen and arms as well as the Dexcom G6 CGMS (continuous glucose monitoring system). These have all left alot of scarring on her skin and she’s becoming very self conscious about the scars. What can she do or what treatment can be done to diminish the scars? She no longer receives daily injections thanks to her insulin pump, but has new injection sites every 3 and 10 days. Any guidance would be incredibly appreciated!!!!! Thank you for hosting this channel and changing lives!!!!!
I'm very squeamish so going to the clinic for skin tag removal was nerve-racking. The NP didn't use a numbing agent, but it only hurts for literally one second. After stealing up my nerves for a few more visits, I'm now able to clip them off myself. The key is to find them when they are very small. The tiny ones don't even hurt. Also, I use very sharp clippers. Just one second, and it's over.
I have cut them of myself with scissors. It hurts a little and bleeds a lot but the worst part is when the scissors dont cut through and just grab the tag and you have to take a second try. Thats no fun at all. If there was a snapping kind of cutter I could put there, line up carefully and fire, that would make this so much easier.
I’ve had a few skin tags and just cut them off with cuticle scissors or wart freezing device that you can buy over the counter. Those both have worked fine and they never come back. Quick and easy.
2:45 As a librarian, I can assure you people are still using the library. The research shows that about 50% of the U.S. population uses public library resources each year (in-person or online).
I used the elastic type remover system and it worked on one but was too big for the others I developed during pregnancy. I had one in my belly button during pregnancy lol
When i was obese with bmi 31 and 30% bodyfat for 10 years, i had alot of skintags on my neck. After dropping 70lbs to a 21 bmi and 14% bodyfat, they all dissappeared and no new ones have come back.
I had a skin tag on my neck ...it must have fallen off by itself, its not there anymore... i remember years ago my Mother had one on her eyelid, she got it removed by Dr... but excess sugar in the blood is the main reason for these tags to occur...
Two showed up on my eye lid, twice! The second time I made sure I got em good. I took a nail clipper and cut deep it's been years now and it looks like I've never had any.
@@littlebutter210 The fear of them hanging around and getting bigger was greater than cutting them off. Yes, did it myself. With a nail clipper in the mirror. It did bleed but i held some paper over it until the bleeding stopped.
When I was 17 I had a skin tag just on the edge of my armpit, I set some ice on it until it was numb and it took some nail clippers and just clipped it off, I am so lucky that I didn’t get an infection or something like that! We just didn’t have the money to go to a doctor for serious things let alone something superficial. This is America right?
Get some dry ice. Break it into smaller pieces. Do not hold it with your fingers. You’ll freeze them. Get a pair of forceps/tweezers and pick up your little piece of dry ice. Hold it against your skin tag until the tag turns white. Don’t press too hard or you’ll damage more tissue around it. Do it a couple times in an hour. It will either shrink to nothing or fall off. Be patient.
Not recommended but I used a nail clipper for a skin tag on my armpit. Sounded like a nail was being clipped, bled a little but surprisingly dint hurt as much as I’d thought it would.
I took my son to the dermatologist for skin tag removal when he was younger and he told me to use compound wart remover the kind that freezes, and now dr scholls has come out with a version for skintags. I've been using that for my neck and it works sometimes. What are your thoughts?
Did Dr. give the other Dr. a numbing shot? My derm’s nurse removed about 10 skin tags. Just tied a string around each one and cut them off. These skin tags were 4 times the size of the one removed on this video. When I complained it hurt, she said “You must have a low pain tolerance”.
One the diameter of 1-2cm grew up suddenly. It' root was like maybe a centimeter in diameter as well.Tied it with toothfloss. It inflated to the size of 3cm, got purple, soft, watery. On the third day I cut it off myself. It looked like a volcano. Minimal blood. Barely visible scar. I know skin tag removal is not free, so I got rid of it myself and it was risky af
what u can do, atleast where I am, make a skin screening, that is payed for by insurence every two years at my insurence atleas. show the doctor what ur aspecially worried about. If they say its fine its just a skin tag. Then remove it yourself.
