What are anal skin tags?
Anal skin tags are folds or outgrowths of perianal skin that develop at the outer edge of the anus. They can arise as a consequence of thrombosed external haemorrhoids, chronic anal fissures, previous anal surgery, or they may appear spontaneously without an identifiable cause.
Although in many cases they are asymptomatic, when they cause itching, difficulty with hygiene, discomfort when sitting, or aesthetic concern, they can be removed under local anaesthesia at the clinic.
Important: any new perianal lesion requires a differential diagnosis to rule out other conditions such as anal warts, hidradenitis, or tumour lesions before removal is undertaken. Dr. Jaime Jorge Cerrudo performs this assessment at the first consultation.
Symptoms of anal skin tags
- Persistent itching or burning in the perianal area
- Difficulty maintaining adequate anal hygiene
- Discomfort when sitting or exercising
- Sensation of a lump or fold at the anus
- Skin irritation or secondary perianal dermatitis
- Aesthetic concern affecting quality of life
Types of anal skin tags
Sentinel tag
A skin fold associated with the scar of a chronic anal fissure. It is usually located at the posterior pole of the anus and can be removed at the same time as the fissure is treated.
Post-thrombotic tag
Residual fold following the resolution of a thrombosed external haemorrhoid. This is the most common type and may be single or multiple depending on the number of previous episodes.
Post-surgical tag
A skin fold that may appear after haemorrhoid surgery or other perianal procedures. It is usually asymptomatic but can occasionally cause discomfort or difficulty with hygiene.
Idiopathic perianal fold
A skin fold with no identifiable cause. It can appear spontaneously in any individual and may produce symptoms of itching, burning, or discomfort.
Excision procedure
Anal skin tag removal is performed at the clinic under local anaesthesia, without the need for hospital admission or general anaesthesia. The procedure is carried out on an outpatient basis and the patient can go home on the same day.
Examination and differential diagnosis at the consultation
Infiltrative local anaesthesia in the perianal area
Excision of the skin tag using a scalpel or electrosurgery
Same-day discharge — no hospital admission required
Outpatient removal under local anaesthesia
Dr. Jaime Jorge Cerrudo performs the differential diagnosis and removal of the skin tag under local anaesthesia, and where possible without the need to schedule a second appointment.
Local anaesthesia — no hospital admission
Procedure under 20 minutes
Same-day discharge
Recovery within a few days