posted 05-27-2003 07:52 AM            

"A skin tag is a small, brown or flesh-colored flap of skin that is usually narrow at its base. Skin tags may appear around the neck, under the arms, under the breasts, in groin creases, and on the inside of the upper thigh area. The cause of skin tags are unknown, but they do occur more often on skin surfaces that are hot, moist, or frequently rubbed."

posted 05-27-2003 08:58 AM            

I am aware of the tags you are refering to, but BEFORE you start telling ME that I am wrong make sure YOU know that you are right....

True in ONE of my post out of ALL of my post I did give out something wrong however I corrected my own error.

posted 05-27-2003 09:31 AM            

(((((ABOUT HEMORRHOIDS

Hemorrhoids are a very common problem. Hemorrhoids are nothing more than enlarged veins. When they occur in the lower legs, we call them varicose veins. When they occur in the rectum, they are called hemorrhoids or "piles." There are many ways to treat hemorrhoids.

THE FIRST VISIT

In the past, people would simply tolerate most hemorrhoids until they became so bad that surgery was needed. Modern techniques have eliminated the need for surgical excision (cutting out) of hemorrhoids except in the most advanced cases. You may have heard of the Baron ligation technique, which involves putting a smaller rubber band around the hemorrhoids. This method has been used for many years. It is less painful than surgery and can be performed in the physician's office. Laser techniques have also been used. More advanced techniques using infared coagulation, radiofrequency, and low-dose electricity are available. They frequently provide excellent results with even less pain and less complications.

TYPES OF HEMORRHOIDS

Internal hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids that start above the pectinate line. These hemorrhoids are easy to treat because they start in an area where there are no pain fibers. The "line" is visible to the physician during the examination.

External hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids that start below the pectinate line. These hemorrhoids are more difficult to treat because they start in an area that has pain fibers.

Mixed hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids that are actually a combination of the previous two types. Thrombosed hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids that have developed a blood clot inside the vein. These clots do not cause any major problems and are not dangerous. Rather, these small clots just cause severe pain. If you develop very severe discomfort, then you probably have a small clotted hemorrhoid. These are easily treated in the office by simply removing the clot.

Prolapsed hemorrhoids: Many times a hemorrhoid will protrude through the anus. Many people will call these external hemorrhoids but that is not technically correct. Hemorrhoids are classified as internal or external, based on where they start. Usually hemorrhoids that protrude out through the anus have their base above the pectinate line, so they actually are internal hemorrhoids. Sometimes these prolapsed hemorrhoids will come down and then go back up; and other times, they will stay down.

Skin tags: Oftentimes even after the hemorrhoid or vein is gone, the stretched skin that was over it will remain as a skin tag or an accumulation of loose, stretched out skin. Many people are bothered by skin tags, which are not painful, but make it difficult to keep the area clean.

Each different type of hemorrhoid problem requires a different type of approach. Depending on the problem that you have, a particular instrument will be used for the treatment.

TYPES OF TREATMENT

Surgery is reserved for only the most advanced cases of hemorrhoids. Surgery is performed in the hospital operating room with the patient under general anesthesia.

Rubber-band ligation Is still used frequently by many physicians to treat many types of internal hemorrhoids. It is also known as Baron ligation.

Trans-mucosal coagulation involves the application of a high-frequency electron burst to the base of the hemorrhoid which clots the hemorrhoid. There are usually three different areas inside the rectum where hemorrhoids occur, and they are referred to as complexes. One area, or complex, is treated at each office visit. Although the patient will occasionally feel a little warmth, there generally is minimal pain or discomfort. The patient may return to work the same day or the next day. Occasionally a little bleeding will occur between the fourth day and the tenth day after treatment. The patient returns in approximately I month for follow-up treatment.

Rediofrequency surgery involves the application of a very high-frequency current to remove external skin tags. The advantage of the technique is that it will often prevent the bleeding that is frequently associated with excision of these tags. It is similar to a laser procedure. Because skin is removed, tenderness in the area will be experienced for a longer period of time (1 to 3 weeks) until the wound is healed. A local anesthetic (to numb the area) is injected before the procedure to minimize pain.

PREPARATION FOR THE VISIT

You probably will not need to take time off from work: however, it might be best if you could take it easy for a couple of days after the procedure. Before coming in for the procedure, administer an enema (Fleet enemas are available without a prescription) approximately an hour before the planned surgery. Hold the enema for 5 to 10 minutes and then expel it. After the procedure, expect some weeping from the area and some soreness for up to several weeks. You should be able to do most normal activities within a few days. Often little or no pain medication is needed.

If you would like to play it safe, you may take three ibuprofen 200 mg tablets about an hour before coming to the office. You might want to schedule the procedure later in the day so that you do not have to go back to work. You may want to take a stool softener such as Colace, or a bulk laxative such as Metamucil or Citrucel, for a few days before the procedure. You just need enough to keep the stool soft. Also remember to drink plenty of water. You will probably want to continue this regimen for a week or so after the procedure.

POST PROCEDURE CARE

After any hemorrhoid procedure, it is very important that you maintain a high bulk diet (a lot of fruits, vegetables, bran, etc.) so that your stool remains soft. Drink at least four to five glasses of water per day. You may use suppositories, if desired. Sitz baths are beneficial: simply sit in a hot bath for 20 to 30 minutes three or four times per day. It may help to apply an ointment such as Preparation H after bathing and to keep the areas from rubbing together. Your doctor may prescribe some Silvadene cream, benzocaine, or lidocaine ointment. Use them as directed. Ice bags may also help relieve the discomfort.

Complications include pain, bleeding, infection, return of the hemorrhoids, and failure of the treatment itself so that the hemorrhoids persist. None of these are expected, but all are possible.

After any of these procedures, if you have extreme pain, excessive bleeding, difficulty urinating, or if you develop fevers, chills, or sweats, call your physician immediately. You should make an appointment for a follow-up visit in 4 weeks.

SPECIAL NOTE

Sometimes hemorrhoids can be caused by a tumor in the bowel. Dr. Owens may suggest a screening test with a flexible sigmoidoscopy either before or after treatment. Be sure to discuss this with him.))))

During the reading you will see where skin tags are from hemorrhoids when it says, "Skin tags: Oftentimes even after the hemorrhoid or vein is gone, the stretched skin that was over it will remain as a skin tag or an accumulation of loose, stretched out skin. Many people are bothered by skin tags, which are not painful, but make it difficult to keep the area clean."

Didnt you tell me this: "just please try to give correct information so you don't give anyone the wrong information!!" it seems that you need to follow your own advice...

[This message has been edited by shucks (edited 05-27-2003).]

posted 05-27-2003 11:28 PM            

Well true this is a place of helping others and that is exactly what I am doing along with my proof now if you can prove me wrong then so be it and I will stand corrected. I can also provide MORE proof along with what I provided from a different source if you would like (and it will give out the same thing???

Yes you provided another source of skin tags that are NOT from hemerrhoids.......but there are skin tags caused from hemorrhoids.

BTW I am NOT the one who is arguing with you so why did you make that remark is it because I provided proof after you told ME that I wasnt giving out the truth?

[This message has been edited by shucks (edited 05-27-2003).]

posted 05-27-2003 11:43 PM            

"External Hemorrhoids

External hemorrhoids are generally asymptomatic unless acutely thrombosed. Most lesions labeled external hemorrhoids are, in reality, just skin tags. Skin tags may be the residual stretched skin found after resolution of a thrombosed external hemorrhoid, be the lower end of a prolapsing internal hemorrhoid, be found distal to a chronic fissure or arise de novo. Patients with a thrombosed external hemorrhoid present with the sudden onset of acute perianal pain associated with tender lump. This may come on after a difficult bowel movement and straining or after prolonged sitting or travel. They are very common after labor and delivery. They always develop beneath the skin at the anal verge and do not go up into the anal canal significantly. On exam they are found at the anal verge as a bluish, tender, rubbery lump. Bleeding is not a major symptom of external hemorrhoids except in the occasionally case where the skin has ulcerated and some of the clot extrudes. Treatment depends on symptoms. In the first 2-3 days the pain is fairly severe and local excision of the vessel and clot along with a small wedge of overlying skin is warranted. Unless they are extensive, this is usually accomplished in the office using local anesthetic. This gives prompt relief. The skin is left open and heals in over 2-3 weeks. Incision with clot evacuation is not recommended as the thrombosis will recur and there may be persistent bleeding. If the symptoms are waning then symptomatic relief with tub baths and oral analgesics is all that is necessary. All patients are placed on a bowel management program. There is no role for topical agents or suppositories."

Proof #3 from another source:
"External hemorrhoids occur below the dentate line and are generally painful. They are sometimes called skin tags, or can be seen or felt as extra skin around the anus. External hemorrhoids can become very distressing when the blood in the external hemorrhoid clots and inflammation irritates the nearby, pain-sensitive skin. This condition is called a thrombosed external hemorrhoid and is quite painful."

Well 3 proofs should be sufficient dont you think?

Again I have NEVER had a problem with anybody, so before you start pointing fingers like you did in your previous post when you said, "I am not here to fight and nobody wants to see this"

well who said I was?