Condition: Anal Skin Tag

Anal skin tags, or rectal skin tags, are common and usually harmless growths that hang off the skin around the outside of the anus.

Overview

Bookings: bookings.digestivehealth@onewelbeck.com

Tel: 020 3653 2009

What are
anal skin tags?

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 may be mistaken for warts or piles (haemorrhoids).


What causes
anal skin tags?

The skin around the anus stretches during bowel movements so stool can pass. This can be exacerbated with haemorrhoids, which cause the skin to stretch. When the haemorrhoid goes down, a tag of skin is left behind.

Tags are more common in patients in the following conditions

  • Straining from constipation
  • Diarrhoea
  • Heavy lifting
  • Strenuous exercise
  • Pregnancy
  • Haemorrhoids

If you have Crohn’s disease or another inflammatory condition, skin tags can form due to inflammation.


What are the
symptoms of anal skin tags?

They may feel like small bumps or raised areas on the anus. Many patients will have more than one.

They rarely cause pain. However, skin tags can be uncomfortable and they may cause itching or soiling.


How are
anal skin tags diagnosed?

They are diagnosed by clinical examination. During this exam, you may be asked to remove your underwear and lie on your side. Your doctor may perform a visual exam and look at the anus for signs of a skin tag.

Occasionally they will need to feel inside the bottom with a finger or insert a plastic tube into the bottom called a proctoscope. If there is any doubt about the diagnosis, then they may recommend biopsy or removal.


How are
anal skin tags treated?

Skin tags may be managed with lifestyle changes. If you suffer from constipation you need to increase the amount of fibre in your diet and the amount of water you drink.

Avoid straining when you go to the toilet or spending too much time on the loo. When wiping your bottom, use a wet wipe which is non-perfumed, and avoid soap.

If they are very symptomatic or they cause significant cosmetic problems, they can be removed. This is usually done under general anaesthetic as a day surgery procedure. The surgeon will cut these away and inject local anaesthetic so it is numb after the surgery. These wounds are usually left open and you will need laxatives and painkillers after the procedure. These will typically heal within a few weeks.

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.


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Condition overview
Anal skin tags

Causes

Straining and constipation, diarrhoea, heavy lif...

Symptoms

Small bumps on the anus, itching or soiling

Tests

Clinical examination

Treatment

Lifestyle changes, improved diet, surgery

Anal Skin Tag Specialists

We have brought together a group of leading colorectal and general surgeons and gastroenterologists to create our Digestive Health team. With over 300 years of combined experience, these expert clinicians are the best in their field and are all focused on delivering the very best patient care.

Mr Jonathan Wilson

Consultant Colorectal and General Surgeon

Specialist expertise: Endoscopy, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, General Surgery, Gallbladder and Bile Duct Disease, Colonoscopy, Groin Hernias, Hernia Repair, Abdominal Wall Hernias, Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Anal Fistula, Anal fissure, Colon Cancer, Rectal Cancer, Gallstones, Diverticular Disease, Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Changes in Bowel Habit, Rectal Bleeding, Haemorrhoids, Rectal Prolapse, Pilonidal Disease.

Ms Sarah Mills

Consultant Colorectal Surgeon

Specialist expertise: Trans-anal Minimally Invasive Surgery (TAMIS), Abdominal Wall Hernias, Groin Hernias, General Surgery, Colorectal Cancer, Anal Cancer, Anal Fistula, Pelvic Floor Disorders, Gastrointestinal Surgery, Colonoscopy, Laparoscopic Procedures (Keyhole Surgery), Minimally Invasive Surgery, Diverticular Disease, Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Haemorrhoids, Anal fissure, Rectal Prolapse, Faecal Incontinence, Anal Intraepithelial Neoplasia.

Mr Alex Leo

Consultant General Surgeon

Specialist expertise: Colorectal Surgery, General Surgery, Anal Fistula, Haemorrhoids, Laparoscopic Procedures (Keyhole Surgery), Minimally Invasive Surgery, Laser Surgery, Inguinal Hernia, Complex Hernia Surgery, Complex Abdominal Wall Hernias, Faecal Incontinence, Pelvic Floor Disorders, Anal fissure, Constipation, Sacral Neuromodulation, Obstructive Defecation Syndrome, Pilonidal Sinus.

Mr Chris Nicolay

Consultant Colorectal and General Surgeon

Specialist expertise: Endoscopy, Hernia Repair, Haemorrhoids, Anal Fistula, Anal fissure, Anal Cancer, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Bowel Disease, Colonoscopy, Flexible Sigmoidoscopy, General Surgery.

Mr Shahnawaz Rasheed

Consultant Colorectal Surgeon

Specialist expertise: Abdominal Wall Hernias, Groin Hernias, HIV-related Anal Pathology, General Surgery, Laparoscopic Procedures (Keyhole Surgery), Colorectal Surgery, Robotic Surgery, Colorectal Cancer, Colonoscopy, Bowel Cancer, Rectal Cancer, Anal Cancer, Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Diverticular Disease, Anal Fistula, Anal fissure, Haemorrhoids, Rectal Bleeding.

Mr Alexander Von Roon

Consultant Colorectal Surgeon

Specialist expertise: Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Colorectal Cancer, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Proctology, Complex Hernia Surgery, General Surgery, Laparoscopic Procedures (Keyhole Surgery), Ileoanal Pouch Surgery, Intestinal Failure, Abdominal Wall Hernias, Haemorrhoids, Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy, Colonic Polyps, Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Diverticular Disease, Anal Fistula, Anal fissure, Pilonidal Sinus, Inguinal Hernia, Gallbladder and Bile Duct Disease, Skin Lesions, Femoral Hernia.

Professor Paris Tekkis

Consultant Colorectal Surgeon

Specialist expertise: Minimally Invasive Surgery, Robotic Surgery, General Surgery, Anal Fistula, Colonoscopy, Flexible Sigmoidoscopy, Colorectal Surgery, Laparoscopic Procedures (Keyhole Surgery), HIV-related Anal Pathology, Abdominal Wall Hernias, Hernia Surgery, Colorectal Cancer, Surgery Centre, Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Rectal Cancer, Anal Cancer, Anal fissure, Diverticular Disease, Haemorrhoids, Small Bowel Cancer, Recurrent Pelvic Cancer.

Mr Gregory Thomas

Consultant Colorectal Surgeon

Specialist expertise: Colorectal Surgery, Hernia Repair, Lower Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, General Surgery, Anal Fistula, Pelvic Floor Disorders, Anal fissure, Diverticular Disease, Haemorrhoids, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Pilonidal Disease, Faecal Incontinence, Rectal Bleeding, Rectal Prolapse, Rectal Pain.

Mr Janindra Warusavitarne

Consultant Colorectal Surgeon

Specialist expertise: Intestinal Failure, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Anal Fistula, Haemorrhoids, Colorectal Cancer, General Surgery, Laparoscopic Procedures (Keyhole Surgery), Minimally Invasive Surgery, Colorectal Surgery, Ileoanal Pouch Surgery, Complex Hernia Surgery, Complex Abdominal Wall Hernias, Crohn's Disease, Diverticular Disease, Pelvic Floor Diseases.

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