External Hemorrhoid Treatment:
Two Options
External hemorrhoid treatment offers two options:
- Hemorrhoids home treatments
- Surgical treatments
For most people, a hemorrhoids home treatment regimen will bring the relief they crave. This article looks briefly at each of the options.
What Are External Hemorrhoids?
First, let's define external hemorrhoids. They're hemorrhoids that develop outside the opening to the anus, under the skin. Occasionally, they break through the skin and bleed. External hemorrhoids are full of nerve endings and lie below what is known as the dentate, or pain, line within the anal canal. For this reason, they tend to be more painful than internal hemorrhoids. In appearance, they can resemble piles, or clusters, of tissue.Internal hemorrhoids, by contrast, are higher up in the anal canal, above the dentate line. The only time they are visible is when they have prolapsed, or dropped below the anus.
External Hemorrhoid Treatment: Begin at Home
Treatments should almost always begin with a hemorrhoids home treatment. These are the basics of an effective home regimen.1. Focus on lessening the pressure on the hemorrhoid:
- Avoid sitting for extended periods.
- Make only short visits to the toilet (about 5-10 minutes max). You're either ready to eliminate or you're not. Don't force it. Remove the library from your bathroom.
- Never strain while on the toilet.
- Answer the call of nature as soon as possible.
- Try to sit on the toilet about the same time everyday, so that your bowels become accustomed to eliminating at a scheduled time.
- Take sitz baths throughout the day.
- Alternate ice and heat compresses throughout the day. This will further reduce pain from swelling.
- Apply a zinc oxide-based (e.g., Desitin™) or hydrocortisone cream or petroleum jelly to reduce swelling and inflammation.
2. Focus on softening your stools so they don't further inflame hemorrhoids during elimination.
- Include veggies (which are largely water-based) and fiber-based foods. You want to make decisions that will help you prevent constipation, now and in the future. Add the fiber gradually to give your body time to adjust.
- Drink water throughout the day. Try to consume at least 8 glasses.
- Take a stool softener.
3. Relieve your discomfort or pain.
- Take over-the-counter drugs, such as ibuprofen, which fights inflammation, or Tylenol.
4. Keep your anal area clean and dry.
- Use soft, moistened wipes to ensure you clean your anus after bowel movements. Tucks or premoistened wipes designed for babies' behinds are ideal.
- Make sure you dry yourself completely after sitz baths.
- Soaps contain perfumes that may further inflame the area, so avoid getting soap into your anal area.
Caution: If you're bleeding excessively or are in a great deal of pain, seek help from your doctor if you don't see improvement within the first 24-48 hours.
Hemorrhoid removal by surgery may be necessary if the home treatments don't work.
Get more information on hemorrhoids home treatments.
External Hemorrhoid Treatment: Surgery Basics
If your home treatment proves unsuccessful, it may be time to see the doctor. Your doctor may recommend surgery: either an incision, which can be done in the office, or a hemorrhoidectomy, which is performed as an outpatient procedure.Surgery is often recommended when:
- You have large internal hemorrhoids.
- You have multiple hemorrhoids.
- You have both external and internal hemorrhoids.
- You have hemorrhoids that are bleeding excessively and other treatments have not helped.
- You have a thrombosed external hemorrhoid, which means it contains a blood clot.
Surgery offers about a 95% cure rate, but it is more painful, has more side effects, is more expensive, and requires longer recuperation.
The four most common side effects include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Excessive pain that lingers after the surgery
- Pain when defecating which may last for weeks. Passing bowel movements, even if they are soft, can be quite painful.
- Problems urinating or defecating
You may not be a good candidate for a hemorrhoidectomy if you suffer from
- IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
- AIDS or are HIV-positive
- Bleeding disorders
- Chronic heart disease
- Crohn's
Your doctor will discuss these issues with you.
This article has briefly examined the two options recommended for external hemorrhoid treatment. Design your own hemorrhoids home treatments or learn more about surgical options for external hemorrhoid treatment.
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