Anal skin tags and haemorrhoids are relatively common conditions and can exhibit similar symptoms and appearances. Mr Jonathan Wilson, Consultant Colorectal and General Surgeon at OneWelbeck Digestive Health, explains how both patients and doctors can spot the differences.
Both conditions are felt externally as a lump around the anus by the patient and it can be difficult for patients and non-specialist doctors to tell the difference.
Skin tags are floppy pieces of skin originating externally. They do not prolapse outside from within and cannot be pushed back inside like prolapsing haemorrhoids. They can be solitary or multiple, and can be a consequence of:
Symptoms from anal tags can include:
The first step in their management is accurate diagnosis by a specialist colorectal surgeon. Following this, reassurance and conservative management may be appropriate for those with minimal symptoms, such as judicious use of steroid creams when painful and swollen, barrier creams etc. If more symptomatic they can be surgically removed under deep sedation with local anaesthetic in the operating theatre under sterile conditions. Recovery is usually less than a week. The rare but recognised risks of surgical removal include:
External haemorrhoids (piles), also known as 4th degree piles, are swellings comprised of blood vessels rather than simple skin. These usually have an internal anchorage and can pop out either after bowel movement, or sometimes spontaneously. They can often be pushed back inside. Discomfort and rectal bleeding are usually more prominent with 4th degree piles compared with simple skin tags. For symptoms and management of piles please read this article.
Here at OneWelbeck, we have a team of specialists, state of the art facilities and diagnostics, and highly competitive financial packages for self-funding patients as well as those with private health care.
Digestive HealthMr Wilson is the lead clinician for general and colorectal services at the Whittington Health NHS Trust and a board member of The ‘London Cancer’ colorectal cancer pathway group. He performs over 200 laparoscopic surgical procedures each year.
