Anal skin tags are harmless, fleshy growths on the bottom of your feet that may cause discomfort. Since they’re not cancerous, you can safely diagnose and remove them with minimal discomfort.
Skin tags can be removed with ease at your doctor’s office, using several techniques depending on their size and location. Skin tags are more common in people who are overweight, have type 2 diabetes, and are older. They can occur in both men and women.
Does Anal Skin Tag Removal Work?
Surgical Excision
Surgical excision is an effective solution for eliminating unwanted skin growths, such as anal skin tags. Although the procedure is quick and painless, patients should expect some soreness during their healing period.
Your doctor will conduct a detailed history and physical examination before performing one of two techniques to examine inside your anal opening and rectum.
Anoscopy – Your doctor inserts a thin tube with camera and light source into the anal opening to examine your anus for any abnormal growths.
Rectal Exam – Your doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into your rectum to feel for any abnormal structures or growths.
If your doctor determines you require surgery, they will take a tissue sample or biopsy and send it off for testing. They may also perform a sigmoidoscopy to inspect the lower portion of your large intestine for signs of cancer.
Cryotherapy
Anal skin tags are a relatively common disorder that can be caused by certain conditions and diseases. They may appear following scarring from anal fissures, recurring haemorrhoids, and inflammation of the bowel such as Crohn’s disease.
Cryotherapy is an increasingly popular and successful treatment for anal skin tags. This involves applying liquid nitrogen to freeze the cells until they die, with treatments typically lasting 5-30 seconds with application of the spray followed by 1-2 minutes of rest between treatments.
After the freezing treatment, most tags will fall off within a week; however, some may take longer. Dr Turner offers full aftercare advice and an appointment for follow-up if needed.
Laser Excision
Anal skin tags can be both bothersome and uncomfortable. Fortunately, these benign growths on your body pose no danger to your health and should not be taken too seriously.
They typically begin as a small lump or bump that can develop over time and become larger. They often appear on the side of the anus, and may cause redness, itching or irritation.
At Premier Surgical Hemorrhoid Treatment Center, they provide anal skin tag removal in-office with minimal discomfort and pain. We utilize local anesthesia and a laser to complete this procedure.
This is a quick and painless in-office procedure that takes only minutes to complete. We utilize laser technology to sterilize the area without burning or blanching it.
Aftercare
Skin tags are a common issue that can arise around the anus. Not only do they cause discomfort and irritation, but they can make it difficult to keep the anus clean.
People sometimes mistakenly confuse skin tags for hemorrhoids or other anal pathology, so if you notice bumps on the anus it’s important to get checked by your doctor. Some anal skin tags can be surgically removed while others should be allowed to heal on their own.
If your doctor decides to remove an anal skin tag, they will prescribe antibiotics and other medications to reduce the risk of infection. They may also give you advice for aftercare such as applying moisture barrier ointment on the removal site to protect it from temporary seepage.
Following surgery, it is best to avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting. Additionally, try your best to relax and limit time spent using the toilet; this will aid in your recovery process and avoid straining on the anus which could cause discomfort or pain.
Are There Any Home Remedies For Anal Skin Tag?
Anal skin tags are benign growths of tissue located around the anus or rectum area. Usually noncancerous, they measure only a few millimeters in size and do not cause any issues; however, surgery can be used if necessary to remove them if desired.
Hemorrhoids, which are swollen veins that bleed easily, do not produce this reaction. Anal skin tags typically look skin-colored or red and may not cause any discomfort when touched.
Prevention and Treatment
Anal skin tags can be avoided by avoiding certain risk factors. These include wearing underwear that fits properly, maintaining good anal health and maintaining a healthy weight.
Constipation must be avoided
Individuals with chronic bowel conditions, such as Crohn’s disease, are particularly at risk for developing anal skin tags. To reduce their chances, they should increase their dietary fiber intake and drink plenty of water.
Preventing Friction and Irritation
Friction between the anus and rectum can also lead to skin tags. Utilizing moist wipes after bowel movements helps reduce this problem, as does keeping the anus clean and dry.
Avoiding Thong Underwear
Tight-fitting underwear that rubs against the anus can also contribute to anal skin tags by increasing irritation. Furthermore, wearing thong underwear increases the likelihood of anal fissures – tears in delicate anal tissue – by wearing tight-fitting garments.
Anal skin tags can be treated by excision, a quick office procedure that usually takes only minutes. This procedure is performed under general anesthesia and the tags are carefully removed through a small incision.
After your procedure, it’s best to stay home and relax, refraining from exercise or lifting heavy objects for several days.
How long does it take to recover from anal skin tag surgery?
In most cases, anal skin tags heal quickly and completely following surgery. They usually go away within a few weeks of removal.
If your anal skin tag is causing you discomfort or cosmetic issues, it may be time for removal. This is a straightforward office procedure with a numbing solution injected around the tag.
Your doctor will use an anoscope or sigmoidoscopy to examine the inside of your anal opening and rectum. If a growth is discovered, they will biopsy it for microscopic examination.
You can reduce the likelihood of developing anal skin tags by eating a nutritious diet, staying hydrated, and taking extra fiber. Additionally, try not to strain while passing stool.
When deciding whether or not to remove an anal skin tag, consult with your doctor about any symptoms and other medical conditions you may have. They can suggest the most suitable treatment option for you.
Anal skin tags commonly present symptoms such as itching, redness and swelling in the affected area. While these symptoms are similar to warts, anal skin tags tend to be whitish or gray-brown in color and do not bleed.
Anal skin tags can be quite painful to the touch due to pressure on nerve endings. To reduce pain and promote healing, high-quality custom compound ointments with Nitroglycerin or Diltiazem may be prescribed.
