Anal skin tag removal

Skin tags are harmless growths of soft skin that hang off the body from a narrow stalk. They range in size from one millimeter up to the size of a grape, but are usually no more than a few millimeters in size. These growths are harmless, but can become irritated depending on their location on the body. In some cases, such as with anal skin tags, your doctor may recommend removal if they cause discomfort, but generally there is no medical need to have a skin tag removed.

 What is an Anal Skin Tag?

An anal skin tag is located near the rectum outside of the body. Many people never realize they have them unless they become irritated or they notice a small amount of blood after having a bowel movement. Anal skin tags are often confused with hemorrhoids due to the itching that may be present if they are irritated.

 What Causes Anal Skin Tags?

There is no known cause for anal skin tags, but it is believed they are the result of friction between the clothing and skin rubbing together, or from a fold of skin rubbing together.  Many physicians believe obesity is a risk factor for skin tags due to the presence of larger folds of skin. People who suffer from Crohn’s disease are also more susceptible to the growth of anal skin tags, and they may also result from the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy. There is also some evidence that they may result in areas where there were previous anal fissures, hemorrhoids, or ulcers.

 How to Identify an Anal Skin Tag

Larger anal skin tags can often be recognized by the stalk that attaches them to the rectum. If they are small, they may just be a small bump of soft tissue. An anal skin tag is generally the same color as the skin they are hanging from, but they may also be a brownish color. The skin tag is usually comprised of wrinkly flesh, but depending on the size, the skin may be smooth.  Most anal skin tags are noticed as a bump around the anus that does not cause pain. In some cases, there may be itching present, or if the tag is irritated it could result in a small amount of bleeding.

 Anal Skin Tag Removal Options?

Most skin tags do not require removal unless they cause irritation. If irritation or discomfort is present, there are several options available for the removal of anal skin tags. Some skin tags can be removed at home by tying a string around the stalk to cut off the supply of blood, but this may not be possible given the difficulty of getting to the location of an anal skin tag.

One homeopathic remedy that has been useful in removing skin tags is the use of Dermatend. By simply following the 3-step process, using Dermatend will eventually result in the skin tag falling off completely without any pain (more Dermatend info here).  Home remedies are quite effective in the removal of skin tags, and help you avoid the embarrassment of visiting your doctor about this problem. In most cases, this type of anal skin tag removal is easy and pain free, but may not always be best in some situations.

If the skin tags are large, or there are many of them the best option is to seek medical help for the removal. Doctors may use one of several surgical treatment options to remove skin tags. Regardless of which method is used, the procedure is quick and usually done during an office visit.

The most common method used is to freeze or burn the skin tag off using liquid nitrogen, laser treatments, or other chemical treatments.  In some cases, depending on the size of the tag, it may require surgically cutting off the tag.  There is some discomfort present when anal skin tags are removed, which can typically last for several days.

Anal skin tags are generally harmless and do not cause any problems and often go completely unnoticed. If they become irritated or bothersome, or you notice any bleeding or discomfort, a visit to your doctor can help you deal with the problem as quickly and painlessly as possible.