Skin Tag, Wart & Cyst Removal in Mississauga: When to DIY, When to Call the Doc

So, you’ve got a bump. Could be a skin tag, maybe a wart, or some weird lump under the skin that showed up out of nowhere. You’re probably wondering — should I just try to deal with this myself, or is it something I should have a doctor check?

We hear this all the time at BritCare Medical. And the answer isn’t always black and white. Some things you can safely handle at home — others, not so much.

Let’s go over what’s what.

What Are These Things, Anyway?

Skin tags are soft, little flaps of skin. Usually harmless. You’ll see them pop up on your neck, underarms, or sometimes where skin rubs together. They don’t hurt — but yeah, they’re annoying.

Warts are rougher. Caused by a virus (HPV), they tend to show up on your hands or feet, though they can be just about anywhere. Not dangerous, but they do spread if you’re not careful.

Cysts are a bit different. Think of them like sacs filled with fluid or semi-solid stuff. You might feel a lump under the skin — maybe on your scalp or back — and it might feel like a marble. Some just sit there and do nothing. Others get painful, red, or even infected.

When You Really Shouldn’t Go It Alone

Here’s where you absolutely want a doctor involved:

1. It’s Getting Bigger, Changing, or Bleeding

Anything growing fast or changing in shape or color? That’s not something to mess with. What you think is a wart could be something else entirely.

2. It Hurts or Looks Infected

Red, hot, swollen, or leaking fluid? That’s not just a bump — that could be an infection brewing underneath.

3. It’s in a Delicate Spot

Near the eyes? Genitals? Face? Don’t risk scarring or worse. These areas are too sensitive for at-home experiments.

4. You’ve Tried DIY and It Didn’t Work

Tried freezing a wart for weeks and it’s still there? Skin tag came back? Cyst’s gotten angrier? That’s your sign.

What Happens When You See Us at BritCare?

First — we take a look. Nothing happens without walking through your options. We’ll tell you if it’s better to leave it alone, treat it, or remove it.

If you do want it removed, we offer:

  • Cryotherapy (freezing warts)

  • Quick excision (for skin tags and some cysts)

  • Draining or treating infected cysts

  • Referral if it looks suspicious and needs a biopsy

Most procedures are quick. Local numbing if needed. No downtime for most folks.

And yes — if the removal is medically necessary (like a painful cyst or a wart that’s spreading), it’s often covered by OHIP.

Real Talk: DIY Often Leads People Here

We’ve seen skin tags snipped off with nail clippers (not recommended), warts burned with random home gadgets, cysts poked with needles — it’s all been done. The results? Infections, scarring, and in a few cases, permanent skin damage.

You don’t need to “tough it out.” There’s no prize for waiting too long or making it worse.

What If It’s Cosmetic?

Some people come in just because they don’t like how something looks. And that’s okay too. Whether it’s a tag on your eyelid or a wart that’s bugging your confidence, we’ll talk about cosmetic removal options — and the risks and costs that come with them.

It’s not about vanity. If something’s bothering you every time you look in the mirror, that’s reason enough to get it checked out.

Final Word

Not all bumps are worth stressing over. But not all of them should be ignored either.

If you’ve got something on your skin that’s bothering you — even if it seems small — come let us take a look. It might be nothing. It might need a quick fix. But you won’t know for sure until someone sees it.

At BritCare Medical in Mississauga, we deal with this kind of stuff every day. No drama. No pressure. Just answers — and help when you need it.

📍 BritCare Medical Clinic – Mississauga

🏥 6405 Erin Mills Pkwy unit A-01

📞 (905) 997-8330

✔ Wart, cyst & skin tag removal

✔ Covered by OHIP when medically necessary

✔ Same-day visits available

✔ Walk-ins welcome