Crohn's Disease and Anus Appearance

[Designery]

Hello,
I'm a 31 year old male with Crohn's disease.  I have a question regarding the appearance of my anus, and whether this is caused by Crohn's disease.  For a while (probably years) I've noticed while cleaning that my anus felt as though it had flaps, or almost lips for a lack of a better term.  Recently i decided to take a picture, and this was confirmed.  And to my horror, was fairly unattractive.  Almost as if my anus is loose or has developed hanging tags.  Almost a clam like wavy appearance.  Also, they look rather raw on the inside, and almost after every bowel movement I can see blood on my toilet paper.  I had just come to expect this for years.  WOuld these be skin tags, or something all together different?  Maybe not even associated with my Crohn's disease.  Also, I take Pentasa for my symptoms.  Thanks for any help, I'm planning to make an appointment with my doctor to ask about this as well, but wanted to get some initial thoughts.

[tagsintn]

What you're describing sounds exactly like skin tags.... probably Crohn's related, as well as the after effects of previous hemorrhoids.

I'm 39, & was diagnosed with Crohn's a few years ago.  (after several years of suffering)
I also have the same condition around my anorectal area.

My doctors confirmed that they were just skin tags, and said there's no medically necessary reason to remove them at this point.  But I'll admit, I'd LOVE to have them taken off!!  
I'm sick of having to deal with them.

[Enoch Choi, MD]

Extra tissue around the anus can be from multiple causes, it's a good thing you've made an appointment to see your doctor for this.  It's hard to say what it is without examining you.

Possibilities include external hemmorhoids (the most common), anal warts from HPV, venereal disease, skin tags or other overgrowths of tissue.  It may/may not be related to Crohn's but is less likely to be related to it.

Please have your doctor examine you to see what it is.

Enoch Choi, MD