Anal Skin Tags

Anal skin tags are excess skin growths in the anal region, usually at places where some previous injury or growth has left bit of extra skin. Some people get scared upon noticing their anal skin tags, mistakenly supposing them to be hemorrhoids or some other serious health problem of the anal region. It is therefore recommended to visit a dermatologist in case you notice/feel any skin growths or lumps etc in the anal area.

Appearance

The appearance of anal skin tags is similar to that of other skin tags found on the neck, under the armpits, or on the eyelids etc. They are usually small protrusions of the skin in the anal area, similar in color to the surrounding flesh or slightly darker than it. They may be joined to the anus, or close to it, by a small stalk (or stem) of tissue that provides blood to the cells in the tags.

Symptoms and Problems

Anal skin tags, like other skin tags, are asymptomatic i.e. not causing any symptoms. They are completely harmless in themselves but they are likely to cause itching, irritation, and/or pain when subject to friction and rubbing (something that happens quite often). In such cases, anal skin tags may swell on the outer part of anus and cause pain and discomfort, particularly during a bowel movement. It is important to seek treatment when such symptoms appear. In case of leaving them untreated, swollen anal skin tags may lead to other diseases of the anal (rectal) region.

Treatment

There is more than one method of treating skin tags on the anus. One of the commonly used medical techniques to remove anal skin tags is ligation i.e. suppressing the blood flow to the tags by tying them around the base with a string. The tags are then cut off painlessly and the remaining part (the stem) is cauterized i.e. burned with an electrically heated metal. Depending on the size of the tags, the patient may feel some pain and/or discomfort for a few days after skin tag removal. Now a day, more people having anal skin tags are going for laser surgery. Not only does it remove the tags quickly but also deletes any roughness on the skin, giving better cosmetic results. Freezing skin tags is another commonly used technique.

Post-Treatment Care

There have been reports of new anal skin tags growing in or close to places of the old ones that were removed by treatment. While their growth is unpredictable, it is advisable to keep the anal region clean. Washing it well after a bowel movement is important to prevent any bacterial infection. In case of any irritation or discomfort in the treated area, the patient should visit his/her physician and have a physical examination.