Wirral Surgeon
Excellence for Life
Condition treated
The most important point to remember is that everyone with a bowel problem can be helped and many can be completely cured.
It is never too late to get help with your bowel problems. If you would like some advice on how to approach your GP regarding your bowel problem do get in touch.
Anal Skin Tags
Anal skin tags are excess skin growths located at the anal opening.
This may occur after flare-ups of haemorrhoids during pregnancy, external haemorrhoid thrombosis (clots), straining from constipation or diarrhea, heavy lifting, or strenuous exercise. Sometimes anal skin tags may reflect an underlying problem such as anal fissure or inflammatory bowel disease.
Anal Skin Tags
Anal skin tags are excess skin growths located at the anal opening.
This may occur after flare-ups of haemorrhoids during pregnancy, external haemorrhoid thrombosis (clots), straining from constipation or diarrhea, heavy lifting, or strenuous exercise. Sometimes anal skin tags may reflect an underlying problem such as anal fissure or inflammatory bowel disease.
Clinical presentation
Small asymptomatic tags are very common. Larger tags are more frequently associated with swelling, itching, heaviness, hygiene problems, and a skin rash.
Diagnosis is made by clinical examination, supplemented by rigid sigmoidoscopy and/or proctoscopy to exclude other ano-rectal conditions. If an anal skin tag becomes ulcerated, painful or starts bleeding, urgent specialist opinion should be sought to exclude more serious diagnoses such as anal cancer, Bowen’s disease and fistula-in-ano
Medical treatment
Asymtomatic anal skin tags can be left alone.
In symptomatic cases, anal skin tags can be removed surgically, generally as a day-case, under local or general anaesthetic, depending on patient preference. The resultant wounds are left open and might need several weeks to heal fully.