Facts You Should Know About External Hemorrhoids

There are multiple groups of veins that exist around the inside and outside of the anus and the rectum. The internal veins are referred to as internal hemorrhoid veins and the external veins are referred to as external hemorrhoid veins. An external hemorrhoid results from continued pressure applied to the veins. They exist on the outside of the anus as a soft lump at the anal opening.

Symptoms of External Hemorrhoids

These hemorrhoids can produce the following symptoms:

• Rectal Pain

Due to the fact that they exist on the outside of the anal area they can cause rectal pain and discomfort whenever pressure is applied to the area through a bowel movement or prolonged sitting.



• Rectal Swelling

Because the veins are swollen and irritated as the result of an external hemorrhoid condition, this can cause swelling in the rectal area.



• Rectal Itching

Rectal itching or anal itching can result from the area where the external hemorrhoid resides and becomes irritated which causes you to scratch the area promoting further irritation.



• Rectal Bleeding

The external hemorrhoid protrudes from the anal opening leaving it susceptible to pressure. When pressure is applied through a strained bowel movement or other factor they can rupture and cause rectal bleeding. The first sign of bright red blood in your stool should alert you to a possible hemorrhoid condition.



• Enlarged Veins

When an external hemorrhoid is present you will notice that the veins are swollen and enlarged around the anal area. This is accompanied by pain that intensifies after bowel movements.

Causes of External Hemorrhoids

External hemorrhoids are caused by a number of conditions that will increase pressure to the swollen external hemorrhoid veins. Some of the causes of external hemorrhoids include straining during a bowel movement, pregnancy, chronic constipation or diarrhea, improper diet, and sitting for long period of time. When the external vein is swollen the pressure causes it to rupture causing pain, irritation, and bleeding.

What External Hemorrhoids Look Like

One of the first questions we always get is What do external hemorrhoids look like? External hemorrhoids initially appear as a small bulge on the outside of the anal area that is the same color as your skin. If they persist, they advance into groups of lumps that are dark red or bluish purple in color. You can identify them by using a mirror to examine your anal area. External hemorrhoids will be noticeable around the outside of the anal area and will look like a clump of grapes protruding from the anus. They can grow to be quite painful and more often than not you will need to seek medical treatment for relief.

Treatment for External Hemorrhoids

The type of external hemorrhoid treatment you seek will depend upon the severity of the condition. If the condition is mild to moderate you can treat it at home by taking hot sitz baths which involve sitting in a warm bathtub for up to three times a day and then thoroughly drying the anal area so further irritation does not develop. You can also increase the fiber in your dietary as well as increase your water intake to help soften the stools and ease bowel movements. Also increase daily exercise to avoid sitting for prolonged periods of time. There are also over-the-counter medications that can be used to relieve the pain that is caused by an external hemorrhoid condition.

If the external hemorrhoids have advanced as far as being thrombosed, it is important to seek medical assistance.

What are thrombosed hemorrhoids?

As a final thought, regardless if external hemorrhoids are mild or severe it is always wise to consult a physician to rule out the possibility of any other health conditions that may be masked behind the symptoms of external hemorrhoids.

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