Usually, anal skin tags are quite small, measuring just a few millimetres in circumference. They may be of the same colour as the skin or slightly darker. The majority of them do not cause any problems and go unnoticed.
We explore the reasons why skin tags develop around the anus in this article, as well as how doctors can diagnose and remove them, as well as how to prevent them from developing in the future.
What Are Skin Tags on Anus?
An anal skin tag is a harmless and common skin issue. It comes as raised areas or small bumps on the anus. Having multiple anus skin tags is not atypical for individuals. While they may be sensitive, anal skin tags hardly cause pain. That said, they can cause itching and annoyance.
Can You Remove Anal Skin Tags?
It is not recommended to remove anal skin tags at home because they may cause pain or other complications, and at-home removal methods have not been proven safe for skin tags in this sensitive area.
Additionally, not all anal skin tags should be removed, even by a professional. Due to the proximity of bacteria in the stool, there can sometimes be injury or infection.
Patients should consult their doctors about risks and benefits before undergoing a removal.
Anal skin tags may also be the case with more serious conditions, such as skin cancer, so it is essential to get any unusual growth checked by a doctor.
Anal Skin Tag Causes
The skin around the anus of men is usually looser than the skin on other body parts. Why? Because the skin around the anus needs to enlarge during bowel movements for stool to pass.
An anal skin tag can result from the enlargement or swelling of the blood vessels in that area. That is because the excessive skin residues even after the swelling have reduced.
Swollen or baggy blood vessels are often a cause of the following:
- Heavy lifting
- Diarrhoea
- Pregnancy
- Straining resulting from constipation
- Difficult exercise
- Blood clots
- Haemorrhoids
Individuals who’ve had blood vessel conditions like haemorrhoids around the anus are more likely to develop anal skin tags.
If you have inflammatory conditions like Crohn’s disease, you can form anal skin tags. As per a review article, 37% of individuals with Crohn’s disease develop anal skin tags.
Also Read: Homeopathic Medicine for Piles (Fissure) with Surgery: Benefits, Side Effects
How Are Anal Skin Tags Diagnosed?
Anal skin tags are benign, but they might still cause concern, which is why it's good to speak with your doctor about whether the bump or bumps you notice are skin tags or something else, such as blood clots.
As part of the diagnosis, your doctor may ask you to remove your underwear and lie on your side throughout the examination. Your doctor may also visually inspect the anus and look for signs of a skin tag. Furthermore, they may insert a finger into the rectum to feel for masses or bulges.
Depending on the medical condition, your doctor may perform either an anoscopy or a sigmoidoscopy to look inside the lower rectum and the anal opening. These can help rule out many rectal conditions and concerns, such as cancer.
Your doctor may also take a tissue sample or biopsy and send it to a lab for testing.
Once your doctor has made a diagnosis, they can discuss treatment options. Anal skin tag removal may sometimes be recommended, but other times it may be appropriate to leave it alone. It depends on the tag’s size, shape, and cause since some tags do not respond well to treatment.
Anal Skin Tags Symptoms
The symptoms of anal skin tags include raised areas or small bumps on the anus. Many individuals have more than one of both.
Anal Skin Tag Treatment
Anal skin tags can be managed by making lifestyle changes. Individuals suffering from constipation must boost the amount of fibre in their diet, along with water intake. Moreover, it’s vital to reduce loo time and straining while going to the washroom. Instead of soap, use non-perfumed wet wipes to wipe the bottoms.
If your anal skin tags cause too much discomfort or significant cosmetic problems, then you can get them removed. The process for this is a day of surgery under general anaesthetic. The surgeon carrying out the surgery removes the skin tags and injects a local anaesthetic to numb down the area.
These wounds are generally left open and heal within a few weeks. However, you’ll need to take painkillers and laxatives after the procedure.
What To Expect During Removal?
The anal skin tag removal procedure is mostly an in-office one. As such tags are on the exterior of the anus, a doctor or medical professional can effortlessly access and remove them. A hospital visit is hardly on the cards.
Before the removal, doctors generally inject a numbing medication around the skin tag. It reduces the amount of pain the individual suffers. In order to help you relax, the doctor might give you a sedative. Antibacterial soap also gets used to clean the area before skin tag removal.
The overall process is super fast and effortless. Medical professionals use a scalpel to cut away the excess skin. It is followed by stitches or dissolvable sutures to close the incision. Instead of surgical excision, some experts prefer using liquid nitrogen or a laser. Cryotherapy is a type of therapy that uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the skin tag.
As a result, the skin tag falls on its own in a few days. Contrarily, a laser burns the skin tag away, so the remaining skin falls off. One skin tag gets removed at a time to avoid any potential complications. It gives the specific area time to heal, reducing the risk of infection from bacteria or stool.
What To Expect From After Care
The turnaround time after the surgery is fast. You’ll have to stay at home and relax after your skin tag gets removed. As a precaution, individuals should avoid exercising or lifting after the surgery.
Within a week, you should be able to resume these everyday activities. However, you can return to work the next day if it doesn’t require much physical effort. In order to decrease the risk of infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics.
You might also be asked to use topical pain medication or antifungal cream to apply to the anus. Such creams can decrease sensitivity and promote healing in the days following anal skin tag removal.
What to Expect During Recovery
You may need further treatment to prevent the spread of bacteria after an anal skin tag removal procedure. Follow your doctor's aftercare instructions carefully, as an infection can delay healing.
You may be advised to take a laxative or take a liquid diet in the first few days after the procedure to ease bowel movements and reduce constipation risks.
If you experience pain or other discomforts near the site of removal, apply a topical painkiller to ease your symptoms.
How To Prevent Anal Skin Tags
While it isn’t always possible to prevent an anal tag, here are a few tips that may reduce their occurrence.
- Wear properly fitting and breathable underwear. The fabric should be absorbent and soft.
- Make sure to keep your bowels regular. You can do so by eating plenty of fibre to avoid becoming constipated and stretching.
- Get digestive problems diagnosed. Sometimes constipation or ongoing diarrhoea can indicate a condition that needs treatment.
- Keep your weight in check. Overweight individuals may be more prone to skin tags. You can maintain your weight through regular exercise and a wholesome diet.
Difference Between Haemorrhoid and Skin Tag
As mentioned above, an anal skin tag is a small bump around the outside of the anus. A haemorrhoid is an enlarged or swollen vein. It could be outside or inside the anus. The swelling caused by haemorrhoids can be painful and even cause bleeding.
Unlike haemorrhoids, anal skin tags aren’t particularly painful. The reason individuals confuse these two is skin tags can arise from a healed haemorrhoid.
Summing Up on Anal Skin Tag
Some anal skin tags can be removed, and they are usually not a cause for concern. People should consult a doctor to determine a correct diagnosis.
A doctor can discuss appropriate methods for removing an anal skin tag if it is causing discomfort.
