Anorectal Care

Anal Tags

 

What are anal tags?
Anal tags are the shapeless lumps and flaps of skin and tissue found at the anal verge. They're quite common and usually come with other anorectal problems.

What are the symptoms of anal tags?
The skin tag normally starts off as a painless soft lump near the opening of the anus. If the lump is painful, an associated rectal condition may be theactual cause of the pain. Cleanliness can be a problem, as fecal debris may become trapped under the tag when you wipe in one direction. Itching often makes things worse.

What is the cause of anal tags?
Previous anorectal problems may have led to the anal tag. An acute swelling of an external hemorrhoid, if left untreated, frequently leaves behind a skin tag.
A sentinel tag is a skin tab that is located at the inferior border of an infection or injury. Anal fissures and fistula are often associated with secondary changes, which may include a sentinel tag.

How do you treat anal tags?

Anal tags are generally asymptomatic and are usually left over from previous inflammatory lesion in the anal area. Symptomatic tags that resulted from itching, anxiety or hygienic issues, can usually be removed. An anoscopy may enable the physician to identify the cause or find other lesions. If tags are small, local anesthetic is injected, and the area is cut out. A radiofrequency device is used to get rid of skin tabs and resurface the anal area to acquire a good cosmetic result. If the anal tag is extensive, two stages of surgery may be necessary.