Cutaneous skin tags are small and for the most part benign, meaning that they will not evolve into skin cancer. They are called tags because they stick out of the skin and have a stalk which connects it to the surface of the skin. Ordinarily they are painless but they can be irritated when rubbed against clothing, jewellery or other material. Skin tags are created in creases on the body as a result of skin rubbing against skin. They are commonly found on the neck, armpits, the trunk, the genitalia and the anus.

Despite the fact that they are harmless, they are ugly and sometimes uncomfortable, so treatment is often sought to get rid of them. Many persons are reluctant to approach a medical practitioner to deal with skin tags because of the cosmetic nature of the problem and so seek out other methods. Alternative medicine, which is medical practice that essentially falls outside conventional or traditional medicine, is nothing new. Through generations, folk medicines, natural cures have been used to treat a variety of illnesses from the mild to the serious. These treatments are now commonly used for beauty and skin care items to be used on acne, warts, anti-aging and skin tags. Tea tree oil and castor oil are two such herbal remedies that are used.

Tea tree oil is a remedy used primarily in Chinese medicine. The Chinese posit that skin tags are a sign of internal dampness and that the oil has properties that act as drying agents. So basically, when you use it, you are drying it up from the inside. Castor oil has been used for medicinal purpose for centuries. It has been used to treat boils, wounds, burns and skin tags. It penetrates the skin very easily soaking deeply into the skin. As a result of its effectiveness, castor oil is a very popular remedy.

So how do they work? The following steps can be applied to both remedies:

• Clean the affected area thoroughly then pat until completely dry.
• Tip a little tea tree oil on a cotton ball.
• Massage the skin tag gently with the cotton ball. If necessary cover it.
• Do this two to three times daily until the skin tags fall off. It will take about two to four weeks for the process to work, but have patience.

With any remedy there are risks. Consult a doctor if there are any adverse reactions.

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