Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAppearanceSymptomsCausesWho Is At Risk?DiagnosisAt-Home TreatmentOther Treatment OptionsPreventionSeeking Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Appearance
Symptoms
Causes
Who Is At Risk?
Diagnosis
At-Home Treatment
Other Treatment Options
Prevention
Seeking Medical Care
Hemorrhoids, also known as piles, are swollen or inflamed veins in your rectum or anus. They develop from increased pressure on the skin in and around the anal area.Hemorrhoids can be internal or external. External hemorrhoids can be the most painful. They form under the skin around your anus. They can causeanal itchingand swelling when the skin around them is irritated.
Most external hemorrhoids resolve on their own, with or without treatment. Home treatments can often relieve symptoms. Ifblood clotsform in external hemorrhoids, surgery may be needed to remove them.
This article describes the causes, symptoms, and diagnosis of external hemorrhoids. It also explains treatments, when medical care is needed, and ways to prevent them.
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What Do External Hemorrhoids Look Like?
External hemorrhoids look like swollen, bluish-colored lumps near the opening of your anus. Unlike internal hemorrhoids which are invisible from the outside of your body, you can usually see or feel external hemorrhoids.
External hemorrhoids are flat and soft. They are covered with a layer of skin or mucus. External hemorrhoids can become uncomfortable as the overlying skin becomes irritated and deteriorates.
If a thrombosis (blood clot) forms in a hemorrhoid, it can appear blue, purple, black, gray, or dark brown, depending on your skin color.
What Are the Symptoms of External Hemorrhoids?
External hemorrhoids are usually not problematic. However, they can be very painful if a blood clot forms. Common symptoms of external hemorrhoids include:
Blood in the Stool
External hemorrhoids can sometimes bleed. The bleeding can result inbright red blood in your stool, on toilet tissue, or in the toilet bowl as the blood drips. This may occur after a bowel movement.
Blood Clots in the Hemorrhoid
An external hemorrhoid with a blood clot inside it is called athrombosedhemorrhoid. The extra pressure of the blood clot on the surrounding tissue can cause constant and severe pain.
Hemorrhoids: Signs, Symptoms, and Complications
What Causes External Hemorrhoids?
While the exact causes of external hemorrhoids are unknown, these growths are linked with physical features and behaviors that weaken and produce too much pressure on the veins around your anus. This interferes with blood flow to and from the anal area, causing the blood to pool and enlarge the blood vessels there. Over time, the swollen and inflamed veins appear as external hemorrhoids.
Straining during a bowel movement is a common cause of extra pressure on the anal area that leads to external hemorrhoids. Physical changes, such as the extra pressure exerted on the veins around the anus during pregnancy, can also contribute to external hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids increase with age because the connective tissue that supports and holds them in place can weaken over time.
There is also evidence that some people may be predisposed to hemorrhoids. Research indicates that people with hemorrhoids are likely to have an anal canal that tends to be tighter than average, even without straining. The extra straining that occurs during a bowel movement increases the pressure in the anal canal.
Who Is at Risk of External Hemorrhoids?
While it is difficult to predict who will develop external hemorrhoids, certain habits and physical characteristics can exert extra pressure on your rectum and anus. This can cause swelling in the area and increase your potential for hemorrhoids.
The following risk factors can increase your chances of having external hemorrhoids:
Are Hemorrhoids Contagious?
How Are External Hemorrhoids Diagnosed?
Based on the results of your physical examination, your healthcare provider may perform one or more of the following diagnostic procedures to identify issues such astumors, inflammation, and internal hemorrhoids:
How Hemorrhoids Are Diagnosed
How to Get Rid of External Hemorrhoids at Home
Most external hemorrhoids go away on their own after a few days. If not, you can relieve pain at home with simple conservative measures. These treatments typically relieve pain within one to two weeks.
The following strategies can treat hemorrhoids at home:
Hemorrhoids Home Remedies and OTC Treatment
Other External Hemorrhoids Treatment Options
Medical treatment for external hemorrhoids is limited to specific cases. Treating external hemorrhoids is reserved for cases in which the external hemorrhoids are very large, thrombosed (filled with blood clots), and/or causing intense pain.
Surgical Removal
When medical treatment is justified, external hemorrhoids are removed with a surgical procedure called ahemorrhoidectomy. This involves using a laser, scalpel, or electricity through a device to remove the affected area or the entire hemorrhoid, depending on the technique used.
The two approaches to hemorrhoidectomy are:
Treatments During Pregnancy
Medical treatment for external hemorrhoids during pregnancy and in the immediate postpartum period is not routinely administered. Surgical removal of external hemorrhoids via hemorrhoidectomy during this time is reserved for cases that involve severe complications.
Do Hemorrhoids Go Away on Their Own?
Ways to Prevent External Hemorrhoids
7 Self-Care Tips for Coping With Hemorrhoids
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
Contact a healthcare provider about your external hemorrhoids if you have the following symptoms:
The following symptoms indicate a possible medical emergency. Seek immediate medical care if you have any of the following symptoms with external hemorrhoids:
How to Treat Bleeding Hemorrhoids
Summary
External hemorrhoids occur as a result of extra pressure on the veins in your anal area. Straining with bowel movements or sitting for long periods on the toilet can increase your risk. These growths are more common with pregnancy, obesity, and aging.
Most external hemorrhoids resolve on their own even without treatment. Home treatments can help relieve symptoms of itching, swelling, and pain. Lifestyle changes like eating more fiber can reduce your risk and prevent them from recurring.
Contact your healthcare provider if you have external hemorrhoids that do not improve after a week of home treatments. Seek prompt medical treatment if you also have a lot of bleeding, intense pain, dizziness, and/or other signs of severe illness with external hemorrhoids.
16 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.
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