Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
A thrombosed hemorrhoid happens when a blood clot forms inside ahemorrhoid, a swollen vein in the anus or rectum. The blood clot blocks blood flow, causing painful symptoms.
Most thrombosed hemorrhoids are external, but they can also be internal. External hemorrhoids form in the tissue outside the anus, while internal hemorrhoids are inside.
Thrombosed hemorrhoids are also known as acute hemorrhoidal disease orperianal thrombosis. Perianal is a general term for the area around the anus.
Verywell / Brooke Pelczynski
Thrombosed hemorrhoids are not considered dangerous, but they can be very painful. If symptoms do not go away, there are multiple treatment options ranging from topical creams to surgery.
This article discusses the causes, symptoms, and treatment for thrombosed hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoid Causes
Hemorrhoids form when the blood vessels that line your anal canal become swollen. Most of the time, hemorrhoids are painless. When they become thrombosed, though, they can be painful.
Once you have a hemorrhoid, it is possible for it to become thrombosed. Healthcare providers don’t know why some people develop blood clots in their hemorrhoids and others don’t.
Common Causes of Hemorrhoids
Thrombosed Hemorrhoid Symptoms
A thrombosed hemorrhoid usually appears as a small lump on the outside of your anus, which makes up the last part of your large intestine. The blood clot inside will make it appear dark and bluish in color.
A thrombosed hemorrhoid looks different than other hemorrhoids. An external hemorrhoid that is not thrombosed will just look like a rubbery lump without the blue color.
Symptoms of thrombosed hemorrhoids include:
The pain will be at its worst for the first 24 to 48 hours. After that time, the blood clot will be slowly reabsorbed. When this happens, the pain will start to go away.
If over-the-counter topical hemorrhoid medications don’t relieve your pain, you may have a thrombosed hemorrhoid. This is because the pain is not on the surface. Instead, it comes from pressure and swelling within the tissue.
If you have a fever with a thrombosed hemorrhoid, see a healthcare provider. The hemorrhoid may be infected, which can cause aperianal abscess. This is a painful pocket of pus that forms in the top tissue layer around your anus.
Never ignore rectal bleeding or assume that it is related to hemorrhoids. It could be a sign of something serious, like anal cancer orcolorectal cancer. See your healthcare provider if you have rectal bleeding.
Look for a boil-like lump that may be red and feel warm. See a healthcare provider if you suspect a perianal abscess. It should be drained as soon as possible.
An untreated perianal abscess can lead to ananal fistula. This is an abnormal connection between the skin and the anus. A fistula may require surgery to correct.
Hemorrhoids: Signs, Symptoms, and Complications
RecapMost of the time, thrombosed hemorrhoids go away on their own. You can treat the symptoms with self care. Sitz baths, a high-fiber diet, and topical ointments can help. Avoid straining when using the toilet. A simple surgical procedure may be needed if pain is severe or other treatments don’t work.
Recap
Most of the time, thrombosed hemorrhoids go away on their own. You can treat the symptoms with self care. Sitz baths, a high-fiber diet, and topical ointments can help. Avoid straining when using the toilet. A simple surgical procedure may be needed if pain is severe or other treatments don’t work.
Treatment for Thrombosed Hemorrhoids
Most thrombosed hemorrhoids will get better on their own. It may take two to three weeks for them to disappear completely. In the meantime, there are options for self-care. In extreme cases, you may want to consider surgery.
Self-Care
You can do a few things at home to improve your symptoms, including:
If these things do not make you feel better, see your healthcare provider. Topical treatments like ointments and creams could help. AneCream (lidocaine) ointment is an over-the-counter treatment commonly used for hemorrhoids.
Newer drugs such as topical Adalat CC (nifedipine) may be more effective treatments. Some studies suggest that nifedipine may help symptoms resolve faster than lidocaine.
Surgery
If treatments don’t help, your healthcare provider may suggest surgery. A simple procedure can remove the blood clot.This is a good option if you are in a lot of pain.
Surgery may also keep the thrombosed hemorrhoid from coming back. Patients are typically satisfied with the results.
Hemorrhoids Home Remedies and OTC Treatment
Summary
Thrombosed hemorrhoids can be painful.They may also bleedand itch.
Most of the time, thrombosed hemorrhoids go away on their own. You should start to feel better in a couple of days.
In the meantime, you can treat your symptoms with sitz baths, a high fiber diet, and topical ointments. If your thrombosed hemorrhoid does not seem to be improving, see your healthcare provider. A healthcare provider can help you find a successful treatment.
Yes. If the hemorrhoid fills with too much blood it can burst. This usually isn’t serious, but it leads to bleeding and may cause severe pain that requires treatment.Learn MoreCoping With Hemorrhoids
Yes. If the hemorrhoid fills with too much blood it can burst. This usually isn’t serious, but it leads to bleeding and may cause severe pain that requires treatment.
Learn MoreCoping With Hemorrhoids
While tea tree oil does have anti-inflammatory properties that could reduce certain types of swelling and itching, there’s no strong evidence that it can improve symptoms of hemorrhoids specifically.Some doctors, though, may recommend pure aloe vera to soothe hemorrhoids.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rubbini M, Ascanelli S.Classification and guidelines of hemorrhoidal disease: present and future.World J Gastrointest Surg. 2019;11(3):117-121. doi:10.4240/wjgs.v11.i3.117Lohsiriwat V.Hemorrhoids: from basic pathophysiology to clinical management.World J Gastroenterol.2012;18(17):2009-2017. doi:10.3748/wjg.v18.i17.2009Sanchez C, Chinn BT.Hemorrhoids.Clin Colon Rectal Surg.2011;24(1):5-13. doi:10.1055/s-0031-1272818Owen HA, Buchanan GN, Schizas A, Cohen R, Williams AB.Quality of life with anal fistula.Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2016;98(5):334-338. doi:10.1308/rcsann.2016.0136Lohsiriwat V.Treatment of hemorrhoids: a coloproctologist’s view.World J Gastroenterol. 2015;21(31):9245-9252. doi:10.3748/wjg.v21.i31.9245Moore JS, Seah AS, Hyman N.Management of hemorrhoids in unusual circumstances.Semin Colon Rectal Surg. 2013;24(2):108-111. doi:10.1053/j.scrs.2013.02.010.Kestřánek J.Hemorrhoid management in women: the role of tribenoside + lidocaine.DIC. 2019;8:1-7. doi:10.7573/dic.212602Sun Z, Migaly J.Review of hemorrhoid disease: presentation and management.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2016;29(01):022-029. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1568144Cleveland Clinic.The best ways to get rid of hemorrhoids at home.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rubbini M, Ascanelli S.Classification and guidelines of hemorrhoidal disease: present and future.World J Gastrointest Surg. 2019;11(3):117-121. doi:10.4240/wjgs.v11.i3.117Lohsiriwat V.Hemorrhoids: from basic pathophysiology to clinical management.World J Gastroenterol.2012;18(17):2009-2017. doi:10.3748/wjg.v18.i17.2009Sanchez C, Chinn BT.Hemorrhoids.Clin Colon Rectal Surg.2011;24(1):5-13. doi:10.1055/s-0031-1272818Owen HA, Buchanan GN, Schizas A, Cohen R, Williams AB.Quality of life with anal fistula.Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2016;98(5):334-338. doi:10.1308/rcsann.2016.0136Lohsiriwat V.Treatment of hemorrhoids: a coloproctologist’s view.World J Gastroenterol. 2015;21(31):9245-9252. doi:10.3748/wjg.v21.i31.9245Moore JS, Seah AS, Hyman N.Management of hemorrhoids in unusual circumstances.Semin Colon Rectal Surg. 2013;24(2):108-111. doi:10.1053/j.scrs.2013.02.010.Kestřánek J.Hemorrhoid management in women: the role of tribenoside + lidocaine.DIC. 2019;8:1-7. doi:10.7573/dic.212602Sun Z, Migaly J.Review of hemorrhoid disease: presentation and management.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2016;29(01):022-029. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1568144Cleveland Clinic.The best ways to get rid of hemorrhoids at home.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Rubbini M, Ascanelli S.Classification and guidelines of hemorrhoidal disease: present and future.World J Gastrointest Surg. 2019;11(3):117-121. doi:10.4240/wjgs.v11.i3.117Lohsiriwat V.Hemorrhoids: from basic pathophysiology to clinical management.World J Gastroenterol.2012;18(17):2009-2017. doi:10.3748/wjg.v18.i17.2009Sanchez C, Chinn BT.Hemorrhoids.Clin Colon Rectal Surg.2011;24(1):5-13. doi:10.1055/s-0031-1272818Owen HA, Buchanan GN, Schizas A, Cohen R, Williams AB.Quality of life with anal fistula.Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2016;98(5):334-338. doi:10.1308/rcsann.2016.0136Lohsiriwat V.Treatment of hemorrhoids: a coloproctologist’s view.World J Gastroenterol. 2015;21(31):9245-9252. doi:10.3748/wjg.v21.i31.9245Moore JS, Seah AS, Hyman N.Management of hemorrhoids in unusual circumstances.Semin Colon Rectal Surg. 2013;24(2):108-111. doi:10.1053/j.scrs.2013.02.010.Kestřánek J.Hemorrhoid management in women: the role of tribenoside + lidocaine.DIC. 2019;8:1-7. doi:10.7573/dic.212602Sun Z, Migaly J.Review of hemorrhoid disease: presentation and management.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2016;29(01):022-029. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1568144Cleveland Clinic.The best ways to get rid of hemorrhoids at home.
Rubbini M, Ascanelli S.Classification and guidelines of hemorrhoidal disease: present and future.World J Gastrointest Surg. 2019;11(3):117-121. doi:10.4240/wjgs.v11.i3.117
Lohsiriwat V.Hemorrhoids: from basic pathophysiology to clinical management.World J Gastroenterol.2012;18(17):2009-2017. doi:10.3748/wjg.v18.i17.2009
Sanchez C, Chinn BT.Hemorrhoids.Clin Colon Rectal Surg.2011;24(1):5-13. doi:10.1055/s-0031-1272818
Owen HA, Buchanan GN, Schizas A, Cohen R, Williams AB.Quality of life with anal fistula.Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2016;98(5):334-338. doi:10.1308/rcsann.2016.0136
Lohsiriwat V.Treatment of hemorrhoids: a coloproctologist’s view.World J Gastroenterol. 2015;21(31):9245-9252. doi:10.3748/wjg.v21.i31.9245
Moore JS, Seah AS, Hyman N.Management of hemorrhoids in unusual circumstances.Semin Colon Rectal Surg. 2013;24(2):108-111. doi:10.1053/j.scrs.2013.02.010.
Kestřánek J.Hemorrhoid management in women: the role of tribenoside + lidocaine.DIC. 2019;8:1-7. doi:10.7573/dic.212602
Sun Z, Migaly J.Review of hemorrhoid disease: presentation and management.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2016;29(01):022-029. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1568144
Cleveland Clinic.The best ways to get rid of hemorrhoids at home.
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