Anal skin tags

Anal skin tags are small, excess skin growths around the anal opening. They are common and often linked to other anal conditions. Many people mistake them for haemorrhoids, but while haemorrhoids are the most frequent cause of skin tags, they are not the same condition.

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Anal skin tags typically form after a haemorrhoid has swollen and then shrunk. Other causes include anal fissures and, in some cases, Crohn’s disease.

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Symptoms of anal skin tags

Most anal skin tags do not cause symptoms, and many people only notice them when wiping after using the toilet or during washing.

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However, some skin tags can lead to:

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• Anal itching

• Soreness

• Difficulty keeping the area clean

 

If a skin tag becomes painful, bleeds, or ulcerates, you should seek medical advice.

 

How are anal skin tags diagnosed?

When you visit the clinic, your consultant will take a full medical history and perform a clinical examination. This usually includes a rigid sigmoidoscopy and sometimes a proctoscopy to examine the anal canal.

 

If you are over 40 and have symptoms such as bleeding or changes in bowel habits, your consultant may recommend further endoscopic investigations, such as a flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, to check the health of your bowel.

Occasionally, a biopsy of the anal skin may be needed before treatment.

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Treatment for anal skin tags

Surgical removal is the most effective treatment for anal skin tags. This procedure removes the excess skin, reducing the likelihood of new skin tags developing.

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• Stitches are not usually required

• The treated area will be left to heal naturally

 

For further guidance on post-surgical care, please refer to our aftercare guide for anal surgery for detailed recovery instructions and tips.