Q&A

What are Anal Skin Tags? 

Anal skin tags are excess growths of skin around the anal opening. Anal skin tags typically do not cause pain or bleeding, rather they may cause itching and a feeling of discomfort as they can rub against clothing during your daily activities. Anal skin tags can be soft or firm (fibroepithelial polyps). As anal skin tags can create folds in the skin, the anal region may become harder to properly clean after a bowel movement, sometimes leading to residual stool on the outside of the anus. While mostly benign, in rare cases, anal skin tags can have precancerous or cancerous pathology as well. 

Anal skin tags can sometimes be confused with hemorrhoids and anal warts (condyloma) caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). However, there are key identifying differences between these conditions. Depending on the type of hemorrhoids, they may be painful, cause rectal bleeding, and have a red or purple appearance. Typically, anal warts are small, light brown, or flesh-colored bumps that appear as cauliflower-like (verrucous) clusters around or inside the anal canal. 

Whether for cosmetic concerns, cleanliness, or persistent discomfort, patients seek out Anal Skin Tag Removal with top-notch, aesthetically pleasing results at Dr. Maziar Ghodsian. Call today or book online to schedule an appointment! 

What Causes Anal Skin Tags? 

Anal skin tags may occur as a result of increased blood flow and pressure on the perianal area, often associated with external hemorrhoids, including thrombosed external hemorrhoids. This increase in blood flow and pressure can cause swelling and associated perianal skin stretching. When swelling resolves, the skin still may remain stretched, leading to the formation of an anal skin tag. 

Anal skin tags can also commonly develop during or after pregnancy due to increased blood volume and venous pressure on the anus. Skin tags may also be associated with anal fissures, known as sentinel skin tags. These skin tags are often firmer called fibroepithelial polyps and are located near the anal fissure. 

Certain conditions, such as Crohn’s disease, may also result in the formation of abnormal appearing anal skin tags. It is important to seek out a specialist before considering undergoing anal skin tag removal in order to determine the underlying cause as there may be risks associated with the anal skin tag removal procedure. 

What Does Anal Skin Tag Removal Involve? 

Anal skin tag removal involves surgical excision. Surgical excision involves precision that cannot be achieved with other methods of removal, such as freezing with liquid nitrogen or laser excision. Surgical excision is primarily performed in-office with local anesthesia at our Dr. Maziar Ghodsian offices. 

Recovery time* is minimal following anal skin tag removal. Most patients can return to work the next day and resume all their usual activities within a week. In order to minimize any chance of recurrence, weekly in-office post-operative care is included with skin tag removals until full skin-to-skin closure of the surgery wound is achieved. 

*Recovery time is an estimation discussed after examination and is determined by individual factors such as the quantity, size, severity, and tissue involvement of a patient’s anal skin tags. 

Call Dr. Maziar Ghodsian or book an appointment online today for your anal skin tag removal.

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