From the Guidelines
Yes, hemorrhoids can sometimes leave a small piece of skin or tissue outside the anus after they have resolved or "popped." This excess skin tag is called an anal skin tag or sentinel tag and is essentially scar tissue that remains after the hemorrhoid has healed. These skin tags are typically painless, though they may cause minor irritation or hygiene challenges. Most anal skin tags don't require treatment unless they cause discomfort or hygiene issues. If a skin tag is bothersome, a doctor can remove it through a minor surgical procedure, usually under local anesthesia in an outpatient setting. Skin tags develop because the skin that was stretched during the hemorrhoid's swollen phase doesn't always return completely to its original state after healing, similar to how stretched skin elsewhere on the body might not fully retract.
According to the American Gastroenterological Association technical review on the diagnosis and treatment of hemorrhoids 1, persisting skin tags after resolution of the thrombosis can lead to problems with hygiene and secondary irritation. The review highlights that symptoms attributed to hemorrhoids include bleeding, protrusion, itching, and pain, and that most hemorrhoidal symptoms arise from enlarged internal hemorrhoids.
It's essential to note that if you notice persistent tissue outside your anus after hemorrhoid symptoms have resolved, it's advisable to have it evaluated by a healthcare provider to confirm it's just a benign skin tag and not a recurring hemorrhoid or another condition. The World Journal of Emergency Surgery guidelines 1 suggest that endoscopy, including anoscopy, has a pivotal role in the diagnosis and management of lower gastrointestinal bleeding, and that colonoscopy should be performed in case of concern for inflammatory bowel disease or cancer.
In terms of treatment, the guidelines suggest the use of flavonoids to relieve symptoms and the administration of topical muscle relaxants for severe anal pain associated with thrombosed hemorrhoids. However, no recommendation can be made regarding the role of NSAIDs, topical steroids, or injection of local anesthetics for complicated hemorrhoids due to the lack of available literature.
Overall, while hemorrhoids can leave behind skin tags, these are usually benign and can be easily treated if they cause any issues. It's crucial to consult a healthcare provider for proper evaluation and management to ensure the best possible outcome.
From the Research
Hemorrhoids and Residual Skin
- There is no direct evidence in the provided studies to suggest that hemorrhoids leave a piece of flappy skin outside the anus after they have popped or resorbed 2, 3, 4.
- The studies primarily focus on the treatment and management of hemorrhoids, including medical therapy, rubber band ligation, excisional hemorrhoidectomy, and stapled hemorrhoidopexy 2, 3.
- They discuss the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options for internal and external hemorrhoids, but do not specifically address the issue of residual skin after a hemorrhoid has popped or resorbed 3, 4.
- It is worth noting that the provided studies are more focused on the treatment and management of hemorrhoids, rather than the physical aftermath of a hemorrhoid popping or resorbing 2, 3, 4.