Hemorrhoid skin tags are tiny flaps of excess tissue that form on or around the anus. While they may not cause pain or discomfort, removing them may be necessary if they become bothersome or cause discomfort.
Are you noticing skin growths on or around your anus? They could be hemorrhoid skin tags. These tags are commonly caused by hemorrhoids, scarring, and chronic irritation.
People with Crohn’s disease, a disorder that causes inflammation of the intestines and often manifests itself through recurring diarrhea and constipation, may also experience these symptoms.
Hemorrhoidal Skin Tags: Symptoms and Causes
Symptoms
Hemorrhoidal skin tags develop when an external hemorrhoid blood vessel swells. As it shrinks and heals, some stretched skin may remain behind which leads to an anal or hemorrhoidal skin tag.
Skin tags that develop as a result of chronic anal fissures often do not cause pain but can be itchy and irritated. Anal fissures are quite common, with around 1 in every 10 people affected at some point in their life.
If your anal skin tags appear suspicious, it is essential that you see a doctor to rule out anything more serious. An itchy lump in the anal area could indicate something more serious like a tumor.
Your doctor will use a proctoscope to examine inside of your anus and rectum for any abnormalities, such as foul-smelling discharge or frequent urges to pass stool.
Diagnosis
Skin tags are noncancerous growths that form on skin folds. Although they can occur anywhere on the body, they’re most frequently found in groin and armpit areas.
Hemorrhoids often cause excess skin in the anus and rectum area that develops into a skin tag, even after the hemorrhoid has gone away.
Anal skin tags may develop in people with recurring anal fissures or thrombosed external hemorrhoids. Treating these conditions will reduce your likelihood of developing these unwanted growths.
Doctors make a diagnosis by performing a physical exam and inspecting your anus for signs of irritation, tender red areas, or fistula (an abscess).
Treatment
Hemorrhoid skin tag is a benign growth that develops around the anus and/or rectum of the neck, caused by swollen hemorrhagic blood vessels that enlarge, heal, and then stretch out skin.
If you have anal skin tags, it is best to consult a doctor about your treatment options. They will perform a physical examination and rectal exam to rule out anything else causing the tag or if removal is necessary.
Surgery may be necessary to remove extra skin. This can improve hygiene and appearance while relieving irritation caused by tags.
Premier Surgical Hemorrhoid Treatment Center in Knoxville understands that these small growths can cause discomfort, itching, and issues with anal cleaning. Furthermore, they may be indicative of a health condition like perianal dermatitis or anal warts.
Prevention
Hemorrhoidal skin tags occur when blood vessels near the anus swell and enlarge. While they usually do not bleed or cause pain, they are itchy and can lead to cosmetic issues.
Hemorrhoids are a common issue, but can be avoided by practicing good anal health and good hygiene. This includes drinking six to eight glasses of water daily, eating a balanced diet, and not straining during bowel movements.
When a hemorrhoid forms a clot, you may require the assistance of a gastroenterologist for removal. This procedure can usually be completed in an office setting with minimal downtime and minimal discomfort.
In addition to a physical exam, your doctor will use a proctoscope to examine inside of your anus. They may also ask questions regarding bowel movements and lifestyle.
What Do Hemorrhoid Skin Tags Look Like?
These skin growths are common and may be caused by a variety of conditions. Usually painless and non-bleeding, these lesions do not cause any visible bleeding when touched.
These bumps often develop in conjunction with a previous swollen hemorrhoid, external hemorrhoid thrombosis, straining during constipation or diarrhea, or prior surgery like hemorrhoidectomy.
While they are more symptomatic than painful, they can be bothersome and cause localized irritation, discomfort, itching, heaviness, as well as hygiene problems.
A hemorrhoid may swell the outer skin around the anal rectum, stretching it out until a “sentinel tag” remains. This excess skin is commonly referred to as “sentinel tag.”
An anal fissure, which causes an abnormal tear of the anal canal, is commonly responsible for skin tags. With persistent infection and inflammation of surrounding skin cells, a “sentinel tag” may develop.
Hemorrhoids skin tags are usually discovered when these conditions arise, though they can also appear for other reasons. It’s essential that a correct diagnosis be made in order to properly treat and prevent these extra lumps of skin from forming.
Are you concerned about anal skin tags or think they may be indicative of something more serious, make an appointment with board-certified gastroenterologists at Manhattan Gastroenterology in NYC for a comprehensive examination and the most suitable treatment plan.
If removal is necessary, they will carefully remove the tags to reduce any risk of recurrence.
Conclusion
Hemorrhoids are a common condition, affecting more than 1 in 20 people. Swollen veins can be painful and bleed easily, though not always. Hemorrhoids are commonly caused by straining during a bowel movement, pregnancy, or obesity.
Anal skin tags occur when a previous hemorrhoid leaves behind extra skin around the anus, and even after it fades away, this extra skin remains dangly.
They usually do not cause any major rectal symptoms, but they can affect how you clean after a bowel movement and cause irritation when feces become trapped underneath them.
To reduce irritation and inflammation, thoroughly cleaning the affected area after each bowel movement, taking a Sitz bath with warm water, and using OTC hemorrhoid cream are all effective solutions.
For those suffering from chronic or severe symptoms, surgical removal may be the best option. This involves cutting or burning off the tag with a scalpel, scissors, or laser.
To expedite recovery, patients are encouraged to stay at home for a day after their procedure and follow their doctor’s post-care instructions. Usually, they can resume normal activities the following day.
