How To Get Rid Of Anal Skin Tags

Anal skin tag removal is a delicate surgery that removes skin tag growths that protrude from the anus. These tiny tumours are benign but bothersome. Skin Tags are swollen polyp-like growths with a thickened outer layer of skin and a fibrovascular core, which means that they have their own blood supply. ⁽¹⁾ They're noticeable because they grow outward from the skin on a stalk-like extension. Unpleasant indeed. They commonly occur elsewhere on the body and are most commonly found on areas like the neck, armpit and groin, affecting an estimated 25% of people. Oftentimes, they are the result of friction or irritation to the skin, which reacts by forming a skin tag, also known as an acrochordon. ⁽²⁾

Anal skin tags certainly do not cause public embarrassment. They do interfere with proper hygiene and can cause discomfort when sitting, having a bowel movement, or engaging in sexual activity. As they continue to be irritated (and irritate you) they can slowly increase in size, causing further aggravation. ⁽³⁾ Luckily, skin tags are easily removed and relief is possible thanks to the skilled hands of Dr Aoife Turner. Contact her Harley Street Clinic at + 44 20 3883 8174 to schedule a discreet and compassionate consultation, and get your bottom back to its best!

Contents

1 About Anal Skin Tags
- 1.1 How Do Anal Skin Tags Form?
2 Benefits of Anal Skin Tag Removal
3 Candidates
4 Personal Consultation on Harley Street
5 Procedure
6 Recovery
7 Results
8 How Much Does Anal Skin Tag Removal Cost in London?
9 FAQ
10 References

About Anal Skin Tags

Most patients are loathe to discuss anything occurring in their pants. But from a professional medical perspective, the anus is just another essential body part. It deserves the same consideration as the other aspects of your anatomy when it comes to maintaining your health, safety, and comfort. Anal skin tags frequently occur as a symptom of other medical conditions such as Crohn's Disease, Diabetes Mellitus, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, hormonal changes, recurring haemorrhoids, and anal fissures. Anal skin tags can be easy for patients to misdiagnose and it's important to seek medical attention to ensure a proper diagnosis and eliminate the possibility of other more insidious health issues.

How Do Anal Skin Tags Form?

The anus has an important task, and it has specialized loose skin that is able to contract and expand to accommodate bodily functions. This makes the skin especially susceptible to injury.

Interference with blood flow to this area can lead to blood pooling in a vein. When the vein becomes enlarged, this is known as a thrombosed haemorrhoid, another common affliction that causes itchiness and irritation. Anal fissures are tears in the sensitive lining of the anus. Like haemorrhoids, they can also result in anal skin tags once healed. After the swelling of these injuries abates, a small deflated section of skin is left hanging. Because of its unfortunate location, it's subject to further abuse.

Anal skin tags form as a reaction to trauma and are an effect of the body's natural healing process. However, the repetitive injuries and irritations cause the cellular regenerative process to go haywire, which is what leads to this small but abnormal growth.

As cellular growth factors move to the scene to begin healing these injuries, they encourage fibroblasts to proliferate and create collagen, or connective tissue. Keratinocytes are also spurred into action and begin multiplying, which leads to the thickening of the skin due to this over-production of keratin, and the eventual formation of the skin tag. ⁽⁴⁾

The tag typically starts small but with repeated trauma of excessive cleaning, irritants in soap and hygiene products, or recurring anal injuries, it slowly increases in size as the regeneration process continues. ⁽ ³ ⁾

Benefits of Anal Skin Tag Removal

Anal skin tags do not cause pain or bleeding, but patients can struggle with irritated, excess skin in such a personal and delicate area.

Anal skin tag removal improves overall quality of life by addressing:

Comfort
Ease of bowel movements
Personal hygiene
Sexual health
Prevents existing skin tags from becoming larger and more irritated

Candidates

If you're suffering from one of the conditions that cause skin tags, having these growths removed is one small step that can make a huge difference in your daily life.

Anal skin tags are present in up to 70% of patients with Crohn's Disease. They can become large, swollen, hard, and occasionally painful. ⁽¹⁾ We'll determine whether you're a good candidate for anal skin tag removal during your personal consultation.

Personal Consultation on Harley Street

During your appointment, we'll discuss your medical history and discomfort in this sensitive area. We'll also conduct a physical exam to ensure you're healthy, and a good candidate for this procedure.

Although anal skin tags aren't dangerous, they are still concerning. Dr Turner will confirm that the source of your discomfort is in fact skin tags, and not the result of another condition.

To make the proper diagnosis, Dr Turner will perform a physical exam and inspect the area. During this exam, you'll be asked to take off your pants and lie on your side. She may also perform a rectal exam, and use a gloved finger to inspect for any other unusual growths. After confirming that you are indeed the bearer of anal skin tags, Dr Turner will discuss the most efficient way to remove these offending skin tags, and make sure that you know exactly what to expect before, during, and after anal skin tag removal. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help. There's no reason to suffer any further discomfort when relief is just a click away!

Procedure

Depending on the extent of your anal skin tags, Dr Turner will choose to use the removal technique that offers the most efficient and painless results possible. You'll be given local anaesthesia so that you don't feel a thing. Next, she may choose to employ laser technology or simply use a scalpel to eliminate your skin tags. This is a fairly quick procedure. If she chooses to excise them using a scalpel, you'll also be given dissolvable sutures, depending on the size of the tags. If laser techniques are a better solution to your frustration, the laser will simply burn the tag, which will then fall off naturally.

If you're suffering from multiple skin tags, we may need to remove them one at a time to allow this delicate area to heal. This also reduces the risk of infection from contact with your body functions. Dr Turner may biopsy the tag to ensure that everything is normal.

You'll have the peace of mind you deserve and be able to return home immediately after your procedure. Before you know it, things will be back to normal.

Recovery

Anal skin tag removal is fast. After this procedure, you'll need to take the rest of the day to heal and rest. Although sitting may be uncomfortable as you heal, you will be able to return to work the following day and go about your usual routine within a week. Dr Turner will prescribe you a course of antibiotics to avoid the risk of infection, and creams to help with discomfort and hurry along the healing process.

Results

Anal skin tag removal eliminates the troublesome existing growths, but it's important to address the factors that led to their development in the first place. A proper diet high in fiber and improving bathroom habits can help avoid acquiring more skin tags in the future. ⁽³⁾ Baby your bottom! Although we're awfully fond of our patients, this is one procedure that no one is keen to repeat! Contact our Harley Street practice today to schedule a discreet consultation.

How Much Does Anal Skin Tag Removal Cost in London?

The cost of your anal skin tag removal procedure will depend on the size and number of growths. More than one procedure may be required to adequately treat the area, and you'll be given an accurate price estimate during your personal consultation.

FAQ

What are anal skin tags?

Anal skin tags are growths of skin that protrude from the anus. While they are technically classified as tumours, they are benign and don't cause pain or bleeding. But, because of their location, they are easily irritated, which can cause them to increase in size.

What causes anal skin tags?

Anal skin tags are the unfortunate symptom of several medical conditions, including Crohn's Disease, diabetes, and irritable bowel syndrome. They also result from recurring haemorrhoids and anal fissures. As the body attempts to heal from traumas to this delicate area, it can overcompensate, and produce an excess amount of connective tissue and hardened skin, which leads to these troublesome little lumps.

References

Pogacnik JS, Salgado G. Perianal Crohn's Disease. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2019;32(5):377-385. doi:10.1055/s-0039-1687834
Luba MC, Bangs SA, Mohler AM, Stulberg DL. Common Benign Skin Tumors. American Family Physician. 2003;67(4):729-738. Accessed April 23, 2021. https://www.aafp.org/afp/2003/0215/p729.html#sec-6
Chang J, Mclemore E, Tejirian T. Anal Health Care Basics. Perm J. 2016;20(4):15-222. doi:10.7812/TPP/15-222
Farag AGA, Abdu Allah AMK, El-Rebey HS, et al. Role of insulin-like growth factor-1 in skin tags: a clinical, genetic and immunohistochemical study in a sample of Egyptian patients. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2019;12:255-266. Published 2019 Apr 26. doi:10.2147/CCID.S192964