Anal skin tags are different from hemorrhoids. As stated above, skin tags are just extra tissue, whereas hemorrhoids are swollen veins. While not the same thing, they are related–skin tags can be caused by hemorrhoids. With hemorrhoids (or dilated veins), the blood actually stretches the skin and, after the hemorrhoid resolves itself, the skin does not rebound back to its original shape, leaving a skin tag. So unfortunately, there are many different ways to wind up with a skin tag in the anal region and many have functional and/or aesthetic limitations that require surgical attention.