Anal skin tags are growths of excess skin around the anus.
They are often brought on by straining or inflammation and are not cancerous.
Still, they can be itchy or sensitive to the touch.
Illustration by Zoe Hansen for Verywell Health
These common skin growths can be diagnosed and removed easily.
Depending on the cause, some may be prevented with simple lifestyle changes.
This article will help you learn about identifying and treating an anal skin tag.
Illustration by Cindy Chung for Verywell Health
Illustration by Zoe Hansen for Verywell Health
What Do Anal Skin Tags Looks Like?
Anal skin tags are skin-colored or brown growths or bumps attached to a tiny stalk.
They are usually less than 6 millimeters in size.
Some can grow to be several centimeters.
Anal skin tags do not cause pain or bleeding.
They can be itchy and tender to the touch, though.
And they can also be bothersome.
Anal skin tags can get caught on your underwear.
They may also become itchy and inflamed when you clean or wipe the area.
What Causes Anal Skin Tags?
Skin tags may develop from prior externalhemorrhoids.
These are swollen, enlarged veins in the anal area.
When the swelling goes down, the skin around the hemorrhoid may not tighten back up.
The loose skin may become a skin tag.
Common causes of external hemorrhoids include:
Anal skin tags are also common in people withCrohns disease.
This is a throw in ofinflammatory bowel disease.
In people with Crohn’s disease, anal skin tags are resulting from inflammation.
In some cases, they are the first sign of this condition.
Skin tags may also form as a result of wetness, irritation, and excessive wiping from diarrhea.
They could also form because of long-term friction from wearing tight underwear.
Excess skin that forms after repeated scarring may also cause anal skin tags.
This might happen, for example, after healing from ananal fissure.
An anal fissure is a tear in the lining of the anus.
People with certain genetic disorders likeBirt-Hogg-Dube(BHD) syndrome may also be more prone todeveloping skin tags.
In these cases, skin tags mainly form on other areas of the body.
They will be able to do a proper evaluation.
A primary care provider can often diagnose anal skin tags.
You may also be referred to a specialist.
Agastroenterologistis a doctor who focuses on the digestive system.
Before your exam, your healthcare provider will first ask you to remove your pants and underwear.
You’ll be given a hospital gown or paper drape to cover up.
Next, they will ask you to lie on an exam table, usually on your side.
Alternatively, you may be asked to stand up and lean over the exam table.
The provider will gently examine your anal area using gloved hands.
In some cases, a more detailed exam may be required.
During this exam, the provider feels for abnormal structures inside your rectum/anus.
A rectal exam may be uncomfortable, but it is usually quick.
Also, remember that healthcare providers are trained in giving these exams.
Anoscopy
Your healthcare provider may decide to perform ananoscopy.
This is usually done by a gastroenterologist.
The procedure can take place in the provider’s office.
You will be given a laxative orenemato clear your bowels ahead of time.
Sedation is usually not needed.
This is called an anoscope.
It will then be inserted a few centimeters into your anus.
If a tissue sample or biopsy is needed, it can be taken at this time.
You may feel some discomfort when the anoscope is inserted.
Like a rectal exam, though, it is a quick procedure.
Sigmoidoscopy
Asigmoidoscopyis a test that looks at the rectum and the last part of the colon.
This part of the colon is called the sigmoid colon.
This test may not be needed for simple skin tags.
This test is usually done by a gastroenterologist.
It also requires that you take an enema or strong laxatives beforehand to clean out the bowel.
No anesthesia is usually used, but you may receive a sedative.
This will help you relax or sleep during the procedure.
The instrument used is called asigmoidoscope.
It is inserted through the rectum and moved up into the large intestine.
This test gives your healthcare provider a good look inside the last section of the colon.
Biopsies can also be taken if needed.
Anal skin tags are usually benign and may require no intervention.
First, a numbing medication will be injected into the area around the skin tag.
This will help minimize discomfort.
In some cases, a sedative may be given.
These may dissolve on their own or they may need to be removed during a follow-up visit.
you’re able to expect to go home right after the procedure.
Your healthcare provider will probably instruct you to rest for the remainder of the day.
Light activities can often be resumed the next day.
Your provider may also recommend avoiding strenuous activities for a period of time while you heal.
This could be several days to a few weeks.
After your procedure, you will need to keep your anal area clean after a bowel movement.
You may need to use wipes to remove bacteria from the area or wash thoroughly with soap and water.
Stool softenersmight also be prescribed after anal skin tag removal.
This will keep your bowel movements soft so they can be passed without straining.
Sitting in a bathtub in a few inches of water or using asitz bathmay also be recommended.
A sitz bath is a shallow tub that fits over the toilet and can be filled with warm water.
If recurrent external hemorrhoids are the problem, you may need lifestyle changes.
These tips can help prevent hemorrhoids:
If you have Crohn’s disease, see your gastroenterologist regularly.
Take your medication as advised.
There are many possible causes.
These include hemorrhoids, scarring in the anal area, and chronic skin irritation.
Fortunately, these harmless skin growths can be easily diagnosed and quickly removed.
Recovery after anal skin tag removal involves simple at-home strategies.
These include taking stool softeners and avoiding strenuous activity for a short period of time.
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