Skin tags are raised areas or bumps on the outer surface of the skin. Anal skin tags are common and while they might be sensitive, itchy, cause some discomfort, and make keeping clean more challenging, they are not usually painful. It can be distressing to find a lump or a bump in the perianal area or to have symptoms such as itching. But skin tags are benign not cancerous and typically small sometimes only a few millimeters. Skin tags may be caused by blood vessels in the anal area swelling under the skin and then reducing again.

Believe it or not, anal skin tags are more common than you think, and they are nothing to be ashamed of. While some women may choose to live with them, there are options to get rid of the condition to help you feel better and eliminate discomfort. Read on to learn more about anal skin tag surgery and what to expect with the procedure. Some people may have only one or a few while others could have many. Unlike skin in other areas of the body, skin around the anus has more laxity. That is because it has to stretch to properly pass stool without tearing or other complications. Most of the time, after stretching, the skin returns to its regular size.

You will need to administer a Mircolax enema approximately From midnight through to 2 hours prior to the procedure you can drink water only and from then on, until after the procedure you must be nil by mouth. You should take your normal medications as usual with a sip of water unless specifically directed otherwise.

For all health information and advice, please read the NHS pages on coronavirus. Anal skin tags, or rectal skin tags, are common and usually harmless growths that hang off the skin around the outside of the anus. They may be mistaken for warts or piles haemorrhoids.