Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPain From a Swollen AnusInternal vs. ExternalOther CausesSoothing the SwellingChronic SwellingGI Testing
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Pain From a Swollen Anus
Internal vs. External
Other Causes
Soothing the Swelling
Chronic Swelling
GI Testing
A swollen anus can occur from a wide range of acute and chronic conditions, such ashemorrhoids,anal fissures, andfistulas. Based on the cause of your swollen anus, you may also have symptoms such as pain, discomfort, and bleeding.
Your anus is at the end of your digestive tract, where stool exits the body. It contains sensitive nerve endings, blood vessels, and tiny glands. Swelling occurs as a result of damage or irritation to your rectum or anus. Extra pressure, straining with bowel movements, and friction in the anus and the skin around it can trigger swelling.
Finding the cause of your swollen anus can help you get relief for your symptoms and improve your quality of life. Some causes of anal swelling, such as hemorrhoids, may be improved with home treatment. However, chronic anal swelling requires a medical diagnosis since it may mean a more severe problem.
This article describes anal swelling, its common causes, and home treatments. It also explains when to consult a healthcare provider and what to expect if you need GI testing.
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Anus painand swelling can vary depending on the cause of the swelling. Swelling in your anus or elsewhere in the body typically occurs as aninflammatory responseto an injury or irritation. Redness, heat, and pain can often accompany symptoms of anal swelling.
Internal vs. External Hemorrhoids
Both internal and external hemorrhoids (swollen veins in your rectum or anus) can cause a swollen anus. Internal hemorrhoids develop just inside the anus, in the lower rectum. External hemorrhoids develop under the skin around the anus.
Hemorrhoids, also known as piles, occur as the result of too much pressure on the veins around your anus. They can occur spontaneously or due to extreme straining during bowel movements, sitting for long periods on the toilet, or heavy lifting. Conditions like pregnancy or aging can also trigger external hemorrhoids. Most hemorrhoids resolve within a week.
Internal hemorrhoids can be asymptomatic (with few or no symptoms). Symptoms of internal hemorrhoids can include:
External hemorrhoids can cause more discomfort than internal hemorrhoids. Symptoms of external hemorrhoids include:
Pregnancy Hemorrhoids: What You Need to Know
Other Causes of a Swollen Anus
Other causes of a swollen anus include the following conditions:
Anal Fissure
An anal fissure is a small tear in the lining of your anal canal. This common condition usually occurs from a bowel movement that involves large, hard stools or long-term diarrhea. Other factors include decreased blood flow to the anal area, tightanalsphinctermuscles (the muscles that control your anus), and anal sex.
Symptoms of an anal fissure can include:
Anorectal Abscess
Having certain risk factors such asinflammatory bowel disease(IBD), anal sex, pregnancy, anddiabetes, and taking certain cancer medications can increase your likelihood of having an anorectal abscess.
Anal Fistula
An analfistulais a small channel or connection that forms between your anus and the external skin near your anus. It can also extend from your anal canal to other organs such as your urinary tract orvagina.
An anal fissure can develop as a result of blocked or inflamed anal glands inside your anus and lead to an infection and abscess. Certain conditions likeCrohn’s disease,radiation therapy, trauma, or surgery to the area can also cause fistulas.
Symptoms of an anal fistula can include:
Pruritus Ani
“Pruritus ani,” a term that means “itchy anus” in Latin, is a condition that causes irritated skin around the anus. It triggers a strong urge to scratch the affected area. The scratching can worsen the condition, leading to a cycle in which you want to scratch more, but doing so only worsens the irritation.
Pruritus ani is often described as idiopathic, meaning occurring from unknown causes. Potential causes can include underlying conditions such as hemorrhoids, excessive moisture in the area, diet, or personal care.
Symptoms of pruritus ani include:
Proctitis
Proctitis is inflammation of internal rectal tissue. It can result from STIs and other types of infections,autoimmune disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or radiation treatments.
Symptoms of proctitis include:
Perianal Crohn’s Disease
PerianalCrohn’s diseaseis a marker of a more complicated and severe course of Crohn’s disease (a type of chronic IBD). Perianal Crohn’s disease can occur at any time during Crohn’s disease, even before the diagnosis.
Symptoms of perianal Crohn’s disease include:
Anal Cancer
Symptoms of anal cancerinclude:
How Do You Know If Your Anus Has Prolapsed?Anal prolapseoccurs when your rectum (the last part of your large intestine before your anus) sags and comes through your anal opening. If you have an anal prolapse, which is rare, you will likely see a reddish-colored mass (the inner lining of your rectum) sticking out from your anus, especially after a bowel movement. The mass may bleed slightly and cause pain and discomfort.
How Do You Know If Your Anus Has Prolapsed?
Anal prolapseoccurs when your rectum (the last part of your large intestine before your anus) sags and comes through your anal opening. If you have an anal prolapse, which is rare, you will likely see a reddish-colored mass (the inner lining of your rectum) sticking out from your anus, especially after a bowel movement. The mass may bleed slightly and cause pain and discomfort.
How to Soothe Anal Swelling at Home
You may be able to soothe anal swelling at home, depending on the cause of your symptoms. While home treatments can help reduce anal swelling, you may have to visit your healthcare provider to treat the underlying cause and achieve long-term relief.
Some common ways to relieve anal swelling are:
The Best Hemorrhoid Treatments for Fast Relief
Anal Swelling That Doesn’t Go Away
Anal swelling that doesn’t go away with home treatments requires a visit to your healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and recommendation for swollen anus treatment. Depending on the cause and severity of your anal swelling, your healthcare provider may recommend medication, in-office treatment, or surgery.
Contact your healthcare provider if your anal swelling involves:
What Happens During GI Testing for Swollen Anus
The type of BI testing for a swollen anus varies based on the characteristics of your condition. Based on your symptoms, medical history, and the results of a physical exam, your healthcare provider will use one or more of the following procedures for GI testing for a swollen anus:
Summary
In most cases, a swollen anus heals quickly with conservative treatment. Home therapies and changes to toilet habits can often help your body heal and prevent future problems. Surgery may be an option if the repair of a tear or removal of a mass is needed.
While it’s normal to feel embarrassed to discuss anal swelling, getting medical care may be the only way to treat certain causes. Contact your healthcare provider if you have a swollen anus that does not improve, worsens, or involves rectal bleeding.
Getting an early diagnosis for a swollen anus can help you relieve symptoms and improve your quality of life. It can also improve your outcomes and preserve your health when conditions such as anal cancer are treated early.
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