What do Hemorrhoids look like?

Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels that occur around the anus or lower rectum. Hemorrhoids look like small bumps around the anus, but they may be internal, which means they develop inside the body or external, forming under the skin around the anus. They generally result from straining during bowel movements due to constipation or diarrhea, pregnancy, and obesity. Long-distance running can frequently cause issues as well.

Symptoms include anal itching, bleeding during bowel movements, pain in the anal area, anemia, and high fever. Hemorrhoids can improve without treatment; however, see a doctor if signs of hemorrhoids appear.

The first step is to identify what type of hemorrhoid it is (external/internal). Hemorrhoids may look like large bumps around the anus or lower rectum. Hemorrhoid symptoms include itching, pain, bleeding, and a hard lump near the anus that may protrude outside the body.

Hemorrhoid Appearance

External hemorrhoids look like a pink, fleshy bump around the anus or lower rectum, similar to a skin tag. It may protrude from the skin at times. Hemorrhoid symptoms include anal itching and pain in the area around the anus. Hemorrhoids may also:

– Bleed: Hemorrhoids may cause bright red blood during a bowel movement

– Tenderness: A person with Hemorrhoids may experience pain when sitting down for long periods or during bowel movements

– Anal ache: Pain around the anus or sphincter muscles that becomes worse when sitting down

– Discomfort: Hemorrhoids can cause discomfort when passing a stool.

Internal Hemorrhoids look like dark, bluish swell attached to the lining inside the rectum. Hemorrhoid symptoms include blood on toilet tissue, incomplete bowel movement, mucous discharge, protruding hemorrhoids, and anal itching. Hemorrhoids may also:

– prolapse: This means that an internal hemorrhoid falls out of the anus

– strangulate: When hemorrhoids are cut off from blood supply.

– thrombose: This means that a blood clot forms in the hemorrhoid Hemorrhoids into four different classifications according to their severity.

How to Identify Hemorrhoids?

External hemorrhoids are identifiable from doctors as they are outside the anus. Hemorrhoids may look like large bumps around the anus or lower rectum. Hemorrhoid symptoms include itching, pain, and bleeding.

 Internal hemorrhoids are not visible from the outside of the rectum, but they may be felt during a physical examination when enlarged. Doctors will insert a glove into the rectum to feel for them. Hemorrhoids may feel like small lumps or grapes on the inside of the rectum.

Hemorrhoid symptoms include blood on toilet tissue, feeling of incomplete bowel movement, mucous discharge, protruding hemorrhoid, and anal itching. Hemorrhoids may also cause a hard lump that can be felt just inside the body.

What Causes Hemorrhoids?

 Increased pressure in veins around the anus and rectum causes hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids form from increased pressure around the anus due to constipation or straining during a bowel movement. Pregnancy, obesity, and liver disease can also cause problems. Some people inherit a tendency toward hemorrhoids. Other causes include:

– Prolonged sitting: Sitting for long periods as there is extra pressure on the rectal veins

– Pregnancy: Hemorrhoids are common in pregnant women because the weight of the baby puts pressure on the veins in the pelvis

– Straining during bowel movements: Hemorrhoids can be caused by straining to have a bowel movement, which is often related to constipation

– Anal sex: This can increase the risk of Hemroids because it can cause damage to the anal tissues

What Can I Do About Hemorrhoids?

If you have Hemorrhoids, there are several things you can do to relieve pain and discomfort. Your doctor may prescribe medications or other treatments, depending on your symptoms. Some self-care measures that may help include: 

– Taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen

– Applying ice packs to the area for 10 minutes several times a day

– Sitting in a warm bath for 10 to 15 minutes several times a day

– Wiping gently with moistened toilet tissue or using baby wipes after a bowel movement

– Gently pushing Hemorrhoids back into the anus after a bowel movement

Internal Hemorrhoids may require surgery if they do not improve with other treatments. Hemorrhoidectomy is the most common surgery for hemorrhoids, and it is a procedure to remove the hemorrhoids from the rectum. However, there is a long recovery time at the hospital. Other treatments include:

-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.