Pedunculated skin tags (acrochordons) can be excised with a scalpel. If several skin tags have to be moved, use prilocain ointment for local anaesthesia for 30 min before the procedure. Grasp the skin tag with forceps, pull it upwards, and cut its neck with a scalpel. Turn the sharp blade of the scalpel upwards towards the tip of the forceps in order to avoid removing too large a piece of the skin. A typical skin tag need not be sent to a pathologist.
Excision of skin tags