Anal skin tags, or rectal skin tags, are common and usually harmless growths that hang off the skin around the outside of the anus.
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Anal skin tags, or rectal skin tags, are common and usually harmless growths that hang off the skin around the outside of the anus. They are often mistaken by patients for warts or haemorrhoids (piles).
Anal skin tags are non-cancerous (benign) and are not contagious. In most people, anal skin tags cause no bother but some people feel concerned about how they look and can also experience irritation and pain.
Anyone can have anal skin tags but some factors seem to increase the risk of them developing:
Straining from constipation
Diarrhoea
Heavy lifting
Strenuous exercise
Pregnancy
Anal fissures
Crohn’s disease and other inflammatory conditions
Anal skin tags may feel like small bumps or raised areas of skin on your anus. In most cases, you will have more than one.
They rarely cause pain but can be uncomfortable as residual stool can get stuck to the skin and cause irritation and itching. Repetitive wiping to avoid residual stool as well as itching can also cause breaks in the skin tags and surrounding area which can be painful.
If your anal skin tags are causing itching it’s important to resist scratching or rubbing them as this can damage and break the skin.
If you’re experiencing itching, make an appointment to see a OneWelbeck colorectal specialist who will be able to offer you treatment to alleviate this irritating symptom.
Anal skin tags do not usually bleed so this symptom may be a sign of another problem. We recommend you make an appointment with one of our colorectal consultants for an examination.
Anal skin tags are diagnosed by a colorectal consultant during a clinical examination. At your appointment, your consultant will ask you to remove your underwear and lie on your side. They will then perform a visual examination, looking at your anus for signs of skin tags.
Occasionally they will need to feel inside your bottom with a finger or perform a proctoscopy. If there is any doubt about the diagnosis, they may recommend a biopsy or removal of the skin tags.
In most cases, anal skin tags can be effectively managed with lifestyle changes. If you suffer from constipation, for example, increasing the amount of fibre in your diet and the amount of water you drink can help to loosen your stools and avoid the development of anal skin tags.
It is also helpful to avoid straining when you go to the toilet or spending too much time on the loo. When wiping your bottom, gently use a non-perfumed wet wipe, avoid using soap and do not scrub.
If your anal skin tags are very symptomatic or they cause significant cosmetic problems, they can be removed.
Ms Sarah Mills, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon at OneWelbeck Digestive Health gives an overview of anal skin tags, the common symptoms and how they can be treated.
During anal skin tag removal (excision), your colorectal surgeon uses a scalpel or surgical scissors to cut away the tags. This is usually done under general anaesthetic or sedation as an outpatient procedure.
Once they have been removed, your surgeon will inject a local anaesthetic into the area so that it remains numb after the surgery. The procedure takes around 20 minutes to complete.
The excision wounds are usually left open and will usually heal within a few weeks. Your consultant will prescribe laxatives and painkillers for you to take after the procedure while you recover.
You may have some bleeding after the removal. To help stop it, apply firm pressure with a clean tissue for 15 minutes. If your surgeon applied a dressing, leave it in place and apply pressure.
If you have a dressing applied, remove it when you are ready to have a bowel movement. You can then wash and bathe as normal. Gently pat the area dry with a clean towel and take care not to rub at your skin as this could disrupt healing and cause bleeding.
We advise that you avoid exercise and sexual activity until your skin has completely healed.
At OneWelbeck we offer fast access to expert care at our London-based clinic.
Contact us today to make an appointment with one of our leading consultant colorectal surgeons.
Anal skin tags are thought to affect 50% to 70% of adults during their lifetime, making them a very common occurrence.
In most cases, anal skin tags have no obvious cause. However, you may be more likely to have them if you also have anal fissures, haemorrhoids, or inflammatory conditions such as Crohn’s disease.
Anal skin tags are growths of skin around the anus. Haemorrhoids are veins around the anus that have become swollen and distended.
In most cases anal skin tags do not bleed, while haemorrhoids bleed when even mildly irritated.
Read more about the difference between haemorroids and anal skin tags.
The anus is a sensitive area of the body. Anal surgery is certainly not pain-free, but your surgeon will do everything they can to ensure you experience as little discomfort as possible during your treatment and recovery.
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