embarrassing problem

[kateoh81]

My problem has several facets.  The main one being; I have a small flap of skin protruding from my anus.  I think it may be an actual part of my anal ring that has prolapsed.  I have not sought medical care for this for the past 8 months because I had a thrombosed hemroid in july of '07 that I was treated for (with suppositories) while I was uninsured.  I have since gotten health insurance, but since hemroids are now considered pre-existing, I am afraid that if my current problem was caused by the original hemroid, the treatment will not be covered and will be very costly.  The flap of skin has not gotten any larger, is not painful, and in general does not cause me any problems, and I haven't had any more hemroid symptoms.  My question is, is this dangerous?  Will it require surgery?  Can anyone guess whether it was caused by the thrombosed hemroid?  Thanks so much.

[kateoh81]

Thanks, both of you for your responses.  I am not as nervous about seeing a doctor now.  Also, billy, I am 26.  I don't really understand why I had a hemroid to begin with, as I have a healthy diet and eat lots of fiber and whole grains.  Are certain people prone to hemroids in general?

[billyqureshi]

"flap of skin" sounds more like a skin tag than haemorrhoids. if you have no bleeding on wiping or nothing resembling a bunch of grapes protrudes frmo the anus either at rest or on defaecating, then haemorrhoids are unlikely.
Skin tags can be absolutely normal ocuring in places where there is alot of friction eg axilla (arm pit). however, tags around the anus are associcated with inflammatory bowel diseases such as chrons and ulcerative colitis. i have no idea how old you are or enough of the history to formulate a differential, but suffice t osay if you do not have other gastrointestinal problems it is probabably just an incidental finding of no significance. however, i cannot see the lesion so i cannot be sure. you need to see a doctor.
billy
junior doctor

[Cosmogal]

My advice is to make an appointment with a gastroenterologist and ask all these questions. You should be covered for the appointment and they can submit to the insurance beforehand to see if it will be covered before they do any kind of surgery. They would get approval from the insurance company first. It may not be considered a pre excisting condition as hemmoriods come and go. Don't waste your time wondering, give them call.