Anal Warts & Skin Tags
While not usually life-threatening, chronic or recurring hemorrhoids can cause constant discomfort and even mild incontinence. Those aren't even the only issues that you can face; many patients suffer from anal warts and skin tags. We can provide you with cutting-edge diagnostic and treatment technology.
- In addition, we field highly trained proctology experts with years of training and experience behind them.
- The combination of our technical expertise and our therapeutic technology helps us to provide you with the highest levels of medical relief for your issues.
What are Anal Warts and Skin Tags?
Anal warts are warts in the anal area that are caused by the human papilloma virus, or HPV. They are an STD that appear inside and around the anus. They can also develop on the skin around the entire genital area.
When they initially develop, anal warts are very small and in most cases no larger than the size of a pinhead. However, they often grow significantly larger in size and can cover the entire area around and on the anus if they are not treated. They also are accompanied by bothersome symptoms including:
- Burning
- Itching
- Bleeding
- Mucus discharge
- The sensation of a lump in the area
Alternatively, anal skin tags are not cause for alarm and typically result from prior hemorrhoid treatment. After a hemorrhoid is removed, the area may develop a skin tag that could be mistaken for a wart or a new hemorrhoid. While they pose no significant risk to your health, they can be annoying to deal with and make daily hygiene tasks more difficult.
Treatment for Anal Warts and Skin Tags
Anal skin tags do not necessarily have to be removed. However, if you would prefer that they be eliminated, you can ask your doctor to freeze them off using liquid nitrogen. Your doctor may also band the skin tags at the base to cut off the blood flow and cause them to slough off and die.
Anal warts, on the other hand, require more extensive treatment to remove. While some patients may be tempted to use over-the-counter liquid wart removers, they may find greater success by undergoing surgery for their anal warts.
Anal wart removal surgery involves surgically cutting away the wart from the tissue. Most doctors will remove one or two warts at a time and allow for several weeks to pass before removing anymore. This progressive surgical removal prevents the patient from experiencing undue pain and complications.
Patients may need continued treatment for their anal warts because the HPV virus cannot be cured once it is in the human body. It may remain dormant for several months or years. However, it inevitably will flare up again, causing new wart growths.
Nonetheless, anal wart removal surgery is relatively simple to recover from, and most people can go back to their normal routines within the next day. Their doctors will caution them to avoid heavy lifting for a week after the surgery and to keep the treated area clean to avoid infections.
Anal warts and skin tags can be embarrassing and difficult with which to live. You can undergo treatment for them to ease your symptoms and remove these growths effectively.