Otherwise removing the tag without healing the painful fissure will result in re-formation of the same tag. Tags due to anal fissures are only removed when the underlying cause of the tag (the painful tear of the anal canal fissure) is healed.

Only then can the correct treatment plan be recommended and initiated. It is critical that the correct diagnosis be made through examination by a doctor (such as a colon & rectal surgeon) familiar with the various problems and conditions that can effect the anal region. Probably half of all anal skin tags are not strictly the results of hemorrhoids. What Are The Treatment Options For Anal Skin Tags? On occasion, anal skin tags occur in association with other chronic bowel problems such as Crohn’s disease. Only by properly diagnosing the underlying cause and resolving the problem will the associated skin tags have an opportunity to reduce in size and potentially resolve. Regular anal mucous discharge, subtle stool smearing, and anal wetness are other conditions that can lead to chronic skin irritation/inflammation and development of skin tags. However fissure-tags tend to be more sharply painful during bowel movements. These types of skin tags are often mis-identified as “hemorrhoids”. As the result of a fissure wound within the anal canal, the surrounding skin becomes persistently inflamed and forms a skin tag (“sentinel tag”). Skin tags can also develop in association with a chronic anal fissure (see our section describing Anal Fissures). As the underlying hemorrhoid blood vessel decreases in size the overlying stretched skin may persist, leaving an anal or hemorrhoidal skin tag.

Hemorrhoid skin tags commonly occur after an underlying external hemorrhoid blood vessel swells. Anal skin tags are often “innocent bystanders” to a more primary underlying problem or condition. This is usually done as a day case under GA and requires a referral to colo-rectal surgery.Anal skin tags can occur in anyone and are almost always benign. If conservative measures fail to adequately control symptoms then anal tags can be excised surgically. Avoid coffee, chocolate and fruit juices high in citric acid as these too make the pruritis worse.Avoid lagers and flat beers as these can make the problem worse.A diet that is high in fibre makes the faeces softer and more likely to cause leakage.Wash your underwear in non- biological washing powder and make sure that all traces of detergent are rinsed out.You should also avoid tight trousers or jeans and sitting on plastic chairs for long periods of time.Women should wear stockings or open-crotch tights rather than regular tights to reduce sweating.

Avoid man-made fabrics coming into contact with the skin around your bottom.

Wear loose cotton underwear and change this every day.

Do not put anything in bath water – avoid all antiseptics, bath salts, bath oils and bubble bath.

Do not use any creams, deodorants, talcum powder, antiseptics or anything else on your anus, apart from the treatment suggested by your specialist.

Dry the area by gently patting with a soft towel or tissue.

If your leakage continues after cleaning into the anus, use a small plug of cotton wool in the anus to prevent the faeces or mucus from coming out and irritating the skin.

Use soft toilet paper or damp cotton wool if this is more comfortable.

It is best to use water on your hand rather than a flannel.

Keep the area as clean as possible, carefully washing and gently drying the area at least once a day and after each bowel movement.

Sentinel skin tag