External Hemorrhoids, How Do You Get Rid Of Them?
External hemorrhoids are swellings or lumps which usually occur outside around the anus. They are common and often caused by straining during bowel movements due to constipation or hard stools. External Hemroids most commonly result from chronic constipation and straining. However, they are also associated with pregnancy due to hormonal changes causing the blood vessels in the anus and rectum to swell and stretch and rectal veins causing them to bulge outwards.
The most commonly result from chronic constipation and straining during bowel movements. They may also occur with pregnancy, recurrent diarrhea, inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, anal intercourse, obesity, or prolonged sitting on a toilet seat that is too low.
How can you get relief from external hemorrhoids?
However, if you are already experiencing external piles, here are some quick relief tips to get rid of them fast at home.
Wash your hands with soap before touching them. To avoid spreading bacteria or infusing foreign objects into open wounds or swollen tissue, do not touch them even if they are scabbed over.
Use ice packs to reduce pain and inflammation on them for 12 minutes at a time.
Don’t scratch external piles – it may cause them to bleed and worsen your condition. For itching associated with them, try applying a cold pack, cream, or menthol-containing ointment.
Apply home remedies with caution as some of them may worsen your condition instead of relieving external piles. For example, do not use external hemorrhoid cream if the piles bleed. Consult your doctor for further instructions before using any home remedy.
External piles usually respond to conservative measures such as increasing dietary fiber intake and creams and ointments. A surgical procedure called Ede’s rubber band ligation is an effective treatment that involves placing a small elastic band around the neck of the external pile. It helps cut off blood supply and shrink it over time. The skin tissue will eventually slough off, and the external pile will fall off by itself.
When should you see your doctor about external hemorrhoids?
However, if external piles become external piles with blood, you should seek medical advice immediately. If they bleed, you may require surgery and do not respond to conservative treatments such as cream and home remedies.
Call your doctor right away if:
– external hemorrhoids become swollen or inflamed;
– external piles itch;
– you notice a sudden pain in the rectal area;
– swelling around your anus becomes painful;
– greenish-brown feces is present in the toilet bowl after defecating; or
– there is staining between bowel movements.
Signs of external hemorrhoids with blood may indicate complications such as external piles fissures, external piles thrombosis, external piles abscess, or external piles fistula. Be prepared to seek medical help immediately if you notice any external hemorrhoid with blood symptoms.
If the amount of bleeding is very large, internal hemorrhoids can develop, resulting in symptoms that may include abdominal pain, painful bowel movements, and blood in your stool.
You should also see the doctor right away if you notice any symptoms that are not normal. For example, external hemorrhoids with fever may indicate external piles thrombosis.
The earlier external hemorrhoid complications are detected and treated, the better your chances of successfully treating external piles with or without surgery. Some complications can lead to life-threatening situations such as sepsis or septicemia if left untreated.
How can you prevent external hemorrhoids?
The only way to prevent external hemorrhoids is to keep your bowels moving regularly by adopting a high fiber diet. Fiber absorbs water in the intestinal tract and increases the bulk of the stools while softening them for easier passage. It reduces pressure within blood vessels in the lower rectum while promoting earlier expulsion of the stools. Foods rich in dietary fiber include vegetables, whole grains, fresh fruits, and legumes.
Ask your doctor about HemWell, an FDA-approved, pain-free treatment that’s permanent. If your provider doesn’t offer HemWell, we can assist you in finding one that does. Please visit our website to learn more about this life-changing treatment. Learn more about hemorrhoids.