External Hemorrhoids: Causes, Symptoms, Risks, Treatments, and … – Healthline

You’ve probably heard of hemorrhoids, also called piles. They are inflamed veins that cause lumps around your anus, and they can be quite painful.
Hemorrhoids can be internal or external, and it’s possible to have both types at the same time.
Both types often go away on their own, but sometimes require medical intervention.
Hemorrhoids are common, affecting about 1 in 20 people in the United States overall and about half of people over age 50, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).
They also tend to happen more often in certain people, including pregnant people and those who frequently strain while pooping.
External hemorrhoids are when one or more tender bumps form beneath the skin surrounding your anus. These are dilated blood vessels that have become so enlarged that they protrude.
Blood may clot, or thrombose, inside the protruding blood vessel. This can form a hard lump and cause considerable pain in some cases.
External and internal hemorrhoids are caused by many of the same factors. These include:
A range of symptoms can affect a person with external hemorrhoids. Symptoms vary depending on the severity. Some of the symptoms that you may have include:
You may notice bleeding when you’re using the toilet. This includes seeing blood on toilet paper or in the toilet. Lumps around the anus may feel as if they are swollen. Larger external hemorrhoids may make it difficult to keep the anal area clean.
These symptoms may also occur because of other conditions. If you experience them, you should schedule an exam with your doctor.
Symptoms of external hemorrhoids may go away after a few days, according to the NIDDK. The body usually gradually reabsorbs the hemorrhoid over time.
If your parents have had hemorrhoids, you may be more likely to have them as well. Hemorrhoids may also be more likely to happen during pregnancy.
As we age, hemorrhoids can occur due to increased pressure caused by sitting a lot. And anything that causes you to strain during bowel movements can lead to external hemorrhoids.
A healthcare professional may be able to help you determine the cause of your hemorrhoids.
To diagnose external hemorrhoids, a doctor will ask about your health history and symptoms. They will also likely do a physical exam.
In the case of external hemorrhoids, they will generally be able to see the hemorrhoids by examining the area around your anus.
They may also perform a digital rectum exam and anoscopy to check for issues inside your anal canal and rectum, including internal hemorrhoids.
During a digital rectal exam, your doctor will insert their gloved, lubricated finger into your anus. They’ll be able to feel abnormalities inside.
During an anoscopy, the doctor will insert a device called an anoscope into your rectum that allows them to see abnormalities.
If you also have rectal bleeding, your doctor will likely request that you get a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy to rule out colorectal cancer. These methods will also detect any internal hemorrhoids.
In most cases, people treat external hemorrhoids at home and they go away on their own.
They typically don’t require medical treatment unless they’re causing you a lot of pain or are very enlarged, according to experts.
If you’re experiencing pain, your doctor may recommend using over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief medications, such as ibuprofen, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), or acetaminophen.
You can use at-home treatments to help with hemorrhoids.
Here are a few safe at-home remedies for hemorrhoids to try:
Contact a healthcare professional if you’re experiencing a lot of pain, if symptoms haven’t gone away after 1 week of treatment at home, or if you’re experiencing bleeding from your rectum.
If you have a more severe case of external hemorrhoids, your doctor may suggest a surgical procedure called a hemorrhoidectomy. This is the removal of an external hemorrhoid using a laser, scalpel, or cautery device.
Your healthcare professional will likely use a local anesthetic for this procedure, depending on the situation and your needs.
If you have internal hemorrhoids, healthcare professionals may use additional or different methods for surgical treatment.
Healthcare professionals will sometimes recommend prescription medications for external hemorrhoids. These include:
Here are some steps you can take to prevent hemorrhoids:
External hemorrhoids are a common condition. They often go away on their own within a few days or weeks as the body reabsorbs the blood clot within the protruding blood vessel.
In severe cases of external hemorrhoids, healthcare professionals may recommend surgical removal.
If an external hemorrhoid goes away on its own, it may leave a skin tag behind, which you may want to have removed as well.
Last medically reviewed on November 29, 2021
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Current Version
Nov 29, 2021
Medically Reviewed By
Jenneh Rishe, RN
Mar 23, 2019
Written By
The Healthline Editorial Team
Edited By
Stephanie Orford
Copy Edited By
Chris Doka
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