An anal fissure skin tag is an abnormal excess skin that is developed at the opening lining of the anus. This anal fissure skin tag does not cause any pain and they are usually soft, smooth, and have the same skin color. They generally occur after the healing of hemorrhoids (swollen infected veins developed at the anus or inside the rectum) and anal fissure (a small tear at the opening lining of the anus or anal canal). A person with a constipation problem or chronic anal fissure has a higher chance to be affected by this anal fissure skin tag. Anal fissure mainly occurs when one tries to push a very hard, dry, and large poop.
What causes an anal fissure skin tag?
An anal fissure skin tag is mainly caused after the healing of external hemorrhoids or an anal fissure. The abnormal excess skin that the hemorrhoids or the anal fissure produced when trying to pass a very hard, dry, and large poop can develop into a skin tag. This skin tag will remain even after the healing of hemorrhoids or anal fissures. Though it does not cause any pain or bleeding but may cause discomfort and itchiness during bowel movements due to the presence of excess skin at the anus. However, this skin tag does not require any treatment as they usually go away on its own.
An anal skin tag can also be developed from the following conditions. They are as follows:
- Pregnancy
- Excessive workout
- Diarrhea
- Lifting heavy things or objects
- Straining during bowel movements
This skin tag can also develop from Crohn’s disease or any other inflammatory disease.
What are the symptoms of an anal fissure skin tag?
Usually, an anal skin tag does not show any signs or symptoms as it does cause any pain or bleeding. But, the symptoms can include itchiness and discomfort during bowel movements due to the presence of extra skin at the anus.
An anal fissure skin tag first developed as a very small abnormal excess skin at the anus and may grow bigger over time. They appear to be flesh in color.
Prevention of anal fissure skin tag
The following steps will help in preventing anal fissure skin tag:
- Eat high-fiber foods or supplements. This will help to soften your stool, thus making it easier for you to pass.
- You can also try applying petroleum jelly or lubricant to your anus before bowel movements. This will make the stool a lot easier to pass.
- Try cleaning and sanitizing your anus after bowel movements. This will help in reducing the friction and irritation that can lead to the skin tag.
However, all these steps may not help in fully preventing an anal fissure skin tag. So, the best is to consult a doctor to get rid of an anal fissure skin tag.
Treatment of an anal fissure skin tag
The following are the treatments to get rid of an anal fissure skin tag. They are as follows:
- Laser treatment: In this laser procedure, the doctor uses a laser machine that helps in generating laser energy from intense light. This generated laser energy is then used in burning the tag. Thus the remaining skin tag will gradually fall off on its own.
- Liquid nitrogen treatment: In this procedure, the doctor uses liquid nitrogen. The doctor then used this liquid nitrogen to freeze the tag. As a result, the skin tag will gradually fall off after a few days of the procedure without needing to take care of.
- Surgical treatment: In this surgical procedure, the surgeon will give you anesthesia that will help in numbing the targeted area so that you do not feel any pain or uncomfortable during the procedure. The surgeon may also give you a sedative that will help you relax. The surgeon may clean the area with some antibacterial soap. This will help in preventing infection. The surgeon then uses a surgical scissor to cut the excess skin at the anus and removes it.
This surgical procedure is very fast and simple and is an in-office procedure. So, many doctors prefer to use this surgical procedure to get rid of an anal fissure skin tag as it only required less effort.
However, if you have multiple skin tags at your anus, the doctors will remove only one skin tag at a time to reduce complications and risks. Not only this but this method also gives time to heal and recover. Further, this will also reduce the risk of infections that are caused by bacteria or stool. The doctor may prescribe several antifungal creams, antibiotic medicines, and topical pain reliever medicines. This will help in preventing further infection, heal the area faster, and reduce sensitivity or pain.
Make sure that you follow the doctor’s aftercare advice because an infection can delay recovery time. You may need further treatment to stop the spreading of bacteria. The doctor will suggest you take a liquid diet for a few days after the surgical procedure to reduce the risk of constipation and make stool passing a lot easier. Make sure you do not pressure your anus as it causes severe pain to the tag removal site.
