Anal skin tags is a condition associated around the anal area. It can be simple skin tag or sometimes external hemorrhoid can appear like a skin tag. Furthermore, you can have anal skin tags secondary to other similar conditions which can look alike, such as infections like HPV or anal condyloma. They may also be associated with other conditions like anal fistulas or fissures. You may have different symptoms including pain, itching, cosmetic and hygiene issues. When a perianal skin tag develops, you may begin to feel a skin around the anus. Anal skin tags usually don’t cause any pain or bleeding or any feeling of blockage. Very often, you can confuse anal tags with anal warts. Warts usually cause symptoms like pain and bleeding, and they can grow to become bigger.

Diagnosis 

Usual diagnosis is during the office exam by your Colorectal surgeon. Your surgeon may perform exam with anoscopy in the office to look inside the anal canal. Furthermore, your surgeon may ask you few questions like 

   1. If you have any symptoms like pain, bleeding or difficulty with bowel movements.

   2. How do you maintain hygiene at the anal area and if anal skin tags bother you.

   3. Are you spending significant time sitting on the toilet during bowel movements and if you strain significantly. 

Treatment of Anal Skin Tags

Another key point, you may not need any treatment for anal tags unless they are causing pain, discomfort or other symptoms like hygiene issues. Your colorectal surgeon can usually excise them in the office under local anesthesia under certain circumstances if they are not large enough or extend inside the anal canal as hemorrhoids. Under those circumstances, they may require removal under sedation anesthesia. Occasionally, anal tags can recur even after the surgical excision and may require repeat treatment.

 If you have any concern, then please contact your Colorectal surgeon for evaluation to see if they need any treatment.

What is a colon and Rectal Surgeon? Is Dr Singh a Board-certified Colorectal surgeon? and where does he perform his procedures.

Colon and rectal surgeons are experts in the surgical and non-surgical treatment of diseases of the colon, rectum, and anus. They have completed advanced surgical training in the treatment of these diseases, as well as full general surgical training. They are well versed in the treatment of both benign and malignant diseases of the colon, rectum, and anus and are able to perform routine screening examinations and surgically treat conditions as and if needed. Dr Singh is a double board certified in Colon and Rectal Surgery and General surgery. His practice is located in Phoenix, Glendale and Scottsdale, AZ.

For more detailed information on Hemorrhoids and Anal tags please click the following links :

Hemorrhoids: Expanded Version | ASCRS (fascrs.org)

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) | ASCRS (fascrs.org)

Home – Colon & Rectal Care Center of Phoenix (colorectaldoc.com)

Anal warts and HPV – Dr Neeraj Singh (colorectaldoc.com)

Pruritus ani or Itchy anus – Dr Neeraj Singh MD FACS FASCRS (colorectaldoc.com)

Hemorrhoids – Dr Neeraj Singh MD FACS FASCRS (colorectaldoc.com)

Anal Pain – Dr Neeraj Singh MD FACS FASCRS (colorectaldoc.com)