Learn what causes anal skin tags, how they differ from hemorrhoids, when removal is needed, and when to see a colorectal surgeon.
A skin tag on the butt, near the anus, or around the anal opening is often an anal skin tag. Anal skin tags are small folds of extra skin that can develop after hemorrhoids, fissures, irritation, pregnancy, constipation, or inflammation.
Patients may describe this as a skin tag on the anus, skin tag on the butthole, skin tag near the anus, or skin tags around the anus. These growths are usually benign, but they can cause difficulty cleaning, itching, irritation, discomfort, or cosmetic concern.
Dr. Aisha Akhtar, a board-certified colorectal surgeon, evaluates anal skin tags and other bumps near the anus for patients in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale, and surrounding Arizona communities. Because hemorrhoids, fissures, warts, abscesses, and other anorectal conditions can look similar, an exam is the safest way to confirm what the bump is before considering removal.
Concerned about a skin tag, bump, irritation, or hygiene difficulty near the anus?
Dr. Aisha Akhtar provides evaluation and treatment for anal skin tags, hemorrhoids, fissures, and related anorectal conditions for patients in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Glendale.
An anal skin tag is a small fold of extra skin around the anal opening. It may also be called an anal tag or perianal skin tag. Some patients search for this as a skin tag on the butthole, but the medical term is usually anal skin tag or perianal skin tag.
Anal skin tags are usually benign, but they can cause hygiene difficulty, itching, irritation, moisture trapping, discomfort, or concern about appearance. They do not usually go away with hemorrhoid creams because they are extra skin rather than active swelling. If the bump is new, painful, bleeding, growing, draining, or changing, a colorectal exam is recommended to confirm the diagnosis before considering removal.
Dr. Aisha Akhtar evaluates anal skin tags and other anorectal bumps for patients from Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale, and nearby Arizona communities. An exam can help confirm whether the bump is an anal skin tag, hemorrhoid, fissure-related tag, wart, abscess, prolapse, or another condition.
A skin tag on the butt usually refers to a small, soft piece of extra skin near the anus or buttock crease. When it occurs at the anal opening, it is commonly called an anal skin tag or anal tag.
Anal skin tags may be:
Many patients first notice the tag while showering, wiping, or checking the area because of irritation or a feeling that the area is not completely clean.
An anal skin tag usually appears as a small, soft fold of skin near the anal opening. It may be skin-colored or slightly darker than the surrounding skin. It may be single or multiple and may become more noticeable during wiping, bathing, or after bowel movements.
A painful, blue, purple, bleeding, draining, growing, or rapidly changing lump may not be a simple anal skin tag. These symptoms should be evaluated by a colorectal specialist.
An anal skin tag is excess skin around the anal opening. It is not the same as a hemorrhoid, although it may develop after a hemorrhoid flare.
Anal skin tags are usually made of stretched skin rather than swollen blood vessels. They often remain after inflammation, swelling, or a thrombosed external hemorrhoid improves.
Unlike active hemorrhoids, anal skin tags usually:
However, anal skin tags can become irritated from wiping, friction, moisture, or trapped stool.
Anal skin tags often form after the skin around the anus has been stretched or inflamed.
Common causes include:
When swelling improves, the stretched skin may not fully retract. This can leave a permanent skin fold or tag near the anus.
Sometimes anal skin tags develop without a clear triggering event.
No. A skin tag on the butt near the anus and a hemorrhoid can look similar, but they are different.
| Feature | Anal Skin Tag | Hemorrhoid |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Extra skin | Swollen blood vessel tissue |
| Pain | Usually painless unless irritated | Can be painful, especially if thrombosed |
| Bleeding | Usually does not bleed | May bleed |
| Color | Often skin-colored | May be red, swollen, purple, or blue |
| Texture | Soft skin fold | Swollen lump or bulging tissue |
| Response to creams | Usually does not go away | Symptoms may improve |
A common pattern is that a patient has an external hemorrhoid or thrombosed hemorrhoid first, and after the swelling resolves, a skin tag remains.
If symptoms are more consistent with swollen hemorrhoid tissue, learn more about hemorrhoid treatment options.
If the lump is sudden, painful, blue, or purple, read more about thrombosed hemorrhoids.
Most anal skin tags are not dangerous. Some cause no symptoms at all.
When symptoms occur, patients may notice:
A skin tag itself is usually not the cause of severe pain. If pain is significant, another condition may be present, such as a fissure, thrombosed hemorrhoid, abscess, or infection.
If pain occurs during or after bowel movements, an anal fissure may also need to be considered.
Not every bump near the anus is a simple skin tag. Conditions that may look similar include:
This is why evaluation by a colorectal specialist is important, especially if the bump is new, painful, growing, bleeding, or changing.
For persistent symptoms or uncertainty about the diagnosis, you can schedule an appointment for evaluation.
Diagnosis is usually made with an office examination.
Dr. Akhtar may perform:
A colonoscopy is not required for every anal skin tag. It may be recommended if there are warning symptoms such as rectal bleeding, change in bowel habits, unexplained anemia, concerning family history, or age-appropriate colorectal cancer screening needs.
Not always. If an anal skin tag is small and not causing symptoms, it may not need removal.
Treatment may be considered if the skin tag causes:
Hemorrhoid creams, ointments, and suppositories usually do not remove anal skin tags because the tag is excess skin, not active swelling.
A hemorrhoid skin tag is extra skin that can remain after an external hemorrhoid or thrombosed hemorrhoid improves. Because it is stretched skin rather than active swelling, it usually does not shrink with hemorrhoid creams, suppositories, or home remedies.
Treatment is not always necessary. Removal may be considered if the skin tag causes hygiene problems, recurrent irritation, discomfort with wiping, repeated inflammation, or uncertainty about the diagnosis.
No. You should not cut, tie off, burn, freeze, or use over-the-counter skin tag removal products on tissue near the anus.
The anal area is sensitive and has a higher risk of irritation, bleeding, infection, poor healing, and scarring. Also, not every bump near the anus is a skin tag. Hemorrhoids, anal warts, fissures, abscesses, prolapse, and other anorectal lesions can look similar.
A colorectal exam helps confirm the diagnosis and determine whether office-based removal or outpatient surgical removal is appropriate.
Anal skin tag removal may be an option when the diagnosis is confirmed and the tag is bothersome.
Removal may involve:
Small anal skin tags can often be removed in the office. Larger, multiple, or more complex tags may be better treated in an outpatient surgical setting.
The goal is to remove the bothersome tissue safely while avoiding unnecessary trauma to the sensitive anal skin.
For persistent symptoms, you can schedule an appointment for evaluation and treatment planning.
Most patients tolerate small office-based removal well with local anesthesia. After the numbing medication wears off, mild soreness, swelling, spotting, or burning with bowel movements can occur temporarily.
Recovery instructions may include:
Healing time varies depending on the size and number of tags removed.
A removed anal skin tag usually does not grow back in the exact same way, but new tags can develop if the underlying triggers continue.
Reducing recurrence risk may include:
If skin tags are caused by another condition, such as fissures, Crohn’s disease, or chronic inflammation, treating the underlying problem is important.
You should schedule an evaluation if you have:
For patients in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Glendale, Dr. Aisha Akhtar provides evaluation and treatment for anal skin tags, hemorrhoids, fissures, rectal bleeding, and other anorectal conditions.
Dr. Aisha Akhtar is a board-certified colorectal surgeon providing anal skin tag evaluation and removal for patients in:
If you are concerned about a skin tag on the butt, skin tag near the anus, or skin tags around the anus, a colorectal evaluation can confirm the diagnosis and help determine whether removal is appropriate.
A skin tag on the butt is often a small fold of extra skin near the anus or buttock crease. When it occurs at the anal opening, it is usually called an anal skin tag.
Usually, no. Anal skin tags are commonly benign. However, a new, painful, bleeding, growing, or changing bump should be evaluated because other anorectal conditions can look similar.
Usually, no. Once extra skin has formed, it typically remains unless removed.
No. A hemorrhoid is swollen blood vessel tissue. An anal skin tag is excess skin. A skin tag can remain after a hemorrhoid flare improves.
No. Hemorrhoid creams may reduce irritation or swelling from hemorrhoids, but they usually do not remove extra skin.
A hemorrhoid skin tag usually does not shrink because it is extra skin left after swelling or inflammation has improved. If it causes hygiene difficulty, irritation, discomfort, or uncertainty about the diagnosis, evaluation by a colorectal surgeon can help determine whether removal is appropriate.
An anal skin tag often looks like a small, soft fold of skin near the anal opening. It is usually skin-colored or slightly darker. A painful, bleeding, blue, purple, draining, growing, or changing lump should be evaluated because it may not be a simple skin tag.
Anal skin tags are usually painless. Pain may occur if the tag is irritated, inflamed, rubbed, or associated with another condition such as a fissure, thrombosed hemorrhoid, or abscess.
Small anal skin tags can often be removed in the office under local anesthesia. Larger or multiple tags may require outpatient surgical removal.
Recovery varies. Many patients have temporary soreness, swelling, or spotting for several days, with continued healing over the following weeks depending on the size and location of the tag.
You should be evaluated if the bump is new, painful, bleeding, growing, changing, causing hygiene problems, or if you are unsure whether it is a skin tag, hemorrhoid, wart, fissure, or another condition.
No. The anal area is sensitive, and home removal can cause bleeding, infection, scarring, and delayed diagnosis if the bump is not actually a skin tag. A colorectal evaluation is the safest first step.
Sometimes. Small, simple anal skin tags may be removable in the office after diagnosis is confirmed. Larger, multiple, painful, inflamed, or complex tags may require a separate outpatient procedure.
Many patients use the term rectal skin tags, but most visible skin tags are actually anal skin tags because they occur on the skin around the anal opening rather than inside the rectum.
A colorectal exam can determine whether the tissue is an anal skin tag, external hemorrhoid, prolapsing internal hemorrhoid, fissure-related sentinel tag, wart, or another anorectal condition.
“ The whole office was wonderful. Dr Akhtar was excellent. She was thorough. She explained things extremely well. She answered all my questions. I... The whole office was wonderful. Dr Akhtar was excellent. She was thorough. She explained things extremely well. She answered all my questions. I never felt like she was rushing my exam. ”
“ Dr. Akhtar and the entire team made what could have been a very stressful experience feel comfortable, reassuring, and genuinely cared for from sta... Dr. Akhtar and the entire team made what could have been a very stressful experience feel comfortable, reassuring, and genuinely cared for from start to finish. Dr. Akhtar was professional, compassionate, and took the time to thoroughly explain everything before my procedure, which immediately put me at ease. The procedure itself went smoothly, and I truly felt I was in excellent hands the entire time. The office staff was also kind, organized, and attentive throughout the process. I’m incredibly grateful for the level of care, patience, and professionalism I received. I would absolutely recommend Dr. Akhtar to anyone looking for a skilled doctor who truly cares about their patients and their comfort. ”
“ I cannot express the how thankful I am for Dr. Akhtar. I had been to 4 other colorectal doctors, 3 gastro doctors before seeing Dr. Akhtar. I was c... I cannot express the how thankful I am for Dr. Akhtar. I had been to 4 other colorectal doctors, 3 gastro doctors before seeing Dr. Akhtar. I was crying in her office when she met me the first time. That didn't deter her. Not only that but she located the issue on my first visit. She is kind, caring, thorough and incredibly knowledgeable. She listens, spends time with you and doesn't talk over you. I've needed extra time to discuss my case many times and she has always taken the time that I needed. I've brought to her research I've read, and she always already knows about the publications. The staff are kind and helpful. I dont know what I would have done without finding her. Another health care provider recommended her highly as do I. ”
“ Best colorectal surgeon I’ve ever met. Dr. Akhtar is compassionate, gentle, warm, and caring. I came to her in Glendale after having a horrific exp... Best colorectal surgeon I’ve ever met. Dr. Akhtar is compassionate, gentle, warm, and caring. I came to her in Glendale after having a horrific experience with a general surgeon in Flagstaff (where I live). The Flagstaff surgeon caused a hemorrhage that almost cost me my life, and then I developed stenosis after the emergency room surgeon “fixed” the hemorrhage. Dr. Akhtar was kind enough to take me as a patient (most surgeons will not take a patient who has already been operated by another surgeon due to liability). She was very respectful and gentle in the examination, and was even able to fit me in for an outpatient procedure under sedation the very same day (knowing that I drove over 2 hours to see her). I could not be happier with her. She took the time to personally call me the next day to check on my progress. You do not see this type of doctor very often anymore. She is someone who is in it for the patient, and you can tell. I will continue to drive over 4 hours there and back to receive her high quality care and expertise. Cannot recommend her highly enough. ”
“ Dr. Akhtar is THE BEST provider I have ever seen, period. She is incredibly knowledgeable, informative, and above all so kind. I have not met... Dr. Akhtar is THE BEST provider I have ever seen, period. She is incredibly knowledgeable, informative, and above all so kind. I have not met many people who have as comforting a bedside manner as she does. I was educated properly every step of the way and felt confident doing so because of her caring demeanor. Her PA Moses is also so friendly and upbeat, helping to ease any tension you may be feeling prior to the exam. The energy both Dr. Akhtar and Moses bring was paramount to how excellent my experience was here. Given their specialty, it would be easy to have an uncomfortable experience. However, they go the extra mile to make sure you are comfortable and reassured before anything is done. I cannot recommend this practice enough. Thank you Dr. Akhtar for the genuine concern and care you provided to me! Both my body and my outlook on my health outcomes are better off because of you. ”
“ Extremely knowledgeable and personable, respectful and sensitive. She made me feel comfortable and heard, and able to move forward with next steps in a timely manner. I highly recommend her! ”
“ So glad I found Dr Akhtar. I just had my 1st banding hemorrhoid treatment. She takes the time to explain everything and answers any questions you may have. Highly recommend Dr Akhtar! ”
“ The whole office was wonderful. Dr Akhtar was excellent. She was thorough. She explained things extremely well. She answered all my questions. I... The whole office was wonderful. Dr Akhtar was excellent. She was thorough. She explained things extremely well. She answered all my questions. I never felt like she was rushing my exam. ”
“ I have never met a Dr. As Brilliant, Kind and Compassionate as Dr. Ahktar! I even told her I wish she could be my primary physician. Just beyond... I have never met a Dr. As Brilliant, Kind and Compassionate as Dr. Ahktar! I even told her I wish she could be my primary physician. Just beyond lovely inside and out. I feel very blessed to be in her care!! There is no amount of stars that would be adequate enough to express how extraordinary she is!!!! ”
“ Dr. Akhtar listens and cares about her patients, she is having new staff trained, please be patient. I have all the convenient she will ask help me. ”
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