Anal Tags
-
- Tweet
Colorado Colon & Rectal Specialists
Lisa A. Perryman, MD, FACS, FASCRS
Colon and Rectal Surgeon & A Private Medical Practice located in the Denver Metropolitan Area, CO
Although they’re not cancerous, anal tags can be a frustrating problem for many men and women. Colorado Colon & Rectal Specialists in the Denver metropolitan area, Colorado, offers diagnosis, removal, and prevention of anal tags with simple in-office procedures. Expert board-certified proctologist Lisa A. Perryman, MD, FACS, FASCRS, is widely known for making top-quality colorectal care like anal tag removal both accessible and affordable. Call the office or use the online appointment maker for help.
Anal Tags Q & A
What are anal tags?
Anal tags are small flaps of skin around your anus. Although they're nearly always noncancerous and painless, they can cause some serious irritation and itching. Generally, anal skin tags are skin-toned or a bit darker than your usual skin color.
If anal tags aren't causing you irritation and don't concern you cosmetically, you may not need treatment. But many patients prefer to seek treatment because it's simple.
What causes anal skin tags?
A number of things can contribute to anal skin tags, including:
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids can cause anal skin tags when they shrink. As the affected hemorrhoid shrinks, it leaves stretched-out skin outside the anus, creating the anal tags. Hemorrhoids develop more frequently during pregnancy or in men and women who strenuously exercise, sit for prolonged periods, do heavy lifting, or are overweight.
Friction
Friction can aggravate skin and create anal skin tags. The most common causes of friction include tight-fitting underwear or pants, sitting for protracted periods, and heavy exercise.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease causes a range of bowel problems, with diarrhea being one of the most common effects. Irritation from frequent diarrhea and corresponding excess wiping can cause anal skin tags to form.
Constipation
Staining related to constipation can cause anal tag formation. Constipation sufferers may also pass quite large and dry stools, which also encourage skin tag growth.
There may also be a genetic component, so you don't necessarily need to have one of the situations or conditions above to develop anal skin tags.
How do you diagnose anal skin tags?
At Colorado Colon & Rectal Specialists, Dr. Perryman can often diagnose anal skin tags with a simple visual exam. She may perform an anoscope exam in which she uses a thin lighted cylinder to view the inside of your lower anus. Diagnosis is a comfortable process and doesn’t require any numbing.
How do you treat anal skin tags?
Dr. Perryman can remove anal skin tags during a simple in-office procedure. She uses a local anesthetic, and then expertly excises the anal tags.
After anal skin tag removal, rest for the remainder of the day and avoid heavy lifting. Most patients get back to full activity in a few days.
How can I prevent recurring anal skin tags?
If your anal skin tags developed because of preventable conditions or issues, Dr. Perryman might recommend a few lifestyle changes, including:
- Increasing dietary fiber
- Increasing fluid intake
- Wearing loose and breathable underwear
- Avoiding vigorous or excessive wiping after bowel movements
- Maintaining a healthy weight
Anal skin tags don’t have to make you feel uncomfortable and embarrassed any longer. Call Colorado Colon & Rectal Specialists, or book your consultation online.
