The effect of external hemorrhoids varies from one person to another depending on their severity, as they may only cause discomfort for some, while they may be very painful for others, which requires medical intervention.

 What are external hemorrhoids?

External hemorrhoids are the occurrence of swelling, bloating, or enlargement in the veins of the anal area, which are in the form of small lumps. It results in bad and annoying symptoms, the most prominent of which are the feeling of itching, pain, and exposure to bleeding. There are cases in which a blood clot forms in the external hemorrhoid, and it is called a thrombosed hemorrhoid, in which the affected person feels sharp and severe pain.

Causes of external hemorrhoids

The causes of external hemorrhoids are multiple, as a person can develop them for the following reasons:

• Exposure to tension and stress during the defecation process, when suffering from constipation or diarrhea, as blood flow increases in and out of that area, and here the formation of blood occurs inside the blood vessels and leads to their expansion as well.
• As we age, the tissues around the anus and rectum become weaker, causing external hemorrhoids.
• Sitting for a long time or standing for a long time.
• Sitting on the toilet for a long time causes external hemorrhoids in a person.
• Excess weight and obesity are causes of external hemorrhoids.
• Pregnancy as a result of fetal pressure on the veins of the anus.
• Excessive lifting of heavy objects.
• The diet does not contain a sufficient amount of fiber.
• Lack of physical activity and inactivity.
• Having a spinal cord injury.
• Exposure to surgery in the rectal or anal area.
• A person has inflammatory bowel disease.
• Having a family history of infection.

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What are the symptoms of hemorrhoids?

It is worth noting that the symptoms of external hemorrhoids vary depending on the severity of the infection, and we list some of them for you as follows:

• Bumps appear near the anus.
• Feeling itchy around the anal area.
• Sensation of pain in the anal area.
• Bleeding at the time of relieving the need or after completing it.

The previous symptoms usually disappear within several days due to the body's ability to recover from venous congestion over time, but you should not hesitate to visit a doctor when these symptoms persist for a long time to avoid worsening the condition. 

What do external hemorrhoids look like?

Hemorrhoids appear in the form of small, round lumps or bumps protruding from the anus. They can also be felt and help the doctor diagnose them and suggest appropriate treatment if they do not disappear gradually over time.

What irritates hemorrhoids?

Any action that causes pressure on the rectum and anal area may irritate hemorrhoids, such as:

• Pressure while defecating.
• Carrying heavy items.
• Sitting for long periods. 

How can I get rid of external hemorrhoids?

Severe cases of external hemorrhoids may require surgery to remove them, but in most cases the condition can be controlled through topical and home treatments, including the following:

• Use cold compresses by wrapping ice in a clean piece of cloth and placing it on the affected area for 15 minutes, which helps reduce swelling and pain due to constriction of blood vessels.
• Sit in a bath of warm water several times during the day.
• Use soothing topical ointments, and your pharmacist can help you choose the best one.
• Take nutritional supplements containing fiber in addition to laxatives, and it is preferable to consult a doctor before using them. 
• Take painkillers to relieve the pain caused by symptoms.

What can be done to prevent hemorrhoids?

Following the following tips will help prevent hemorrhoids:

• Avoid sitting in the bathroom to relieve yourself for long periods.
• Avoid constipation as much as possible by eating foods rich in fiber.
• Make sure to drink plenty of water.
• Avoid carrying heavy objects.
• Avoid sitting for long periods.

 Complications of external hemorrhoids

External hemorrhoids cause many complications for patients, the most important of which are the following:

• Suffering from anal prolapse, which causes severe pain when passing urine or sitting. 
• A blockage occurs in the veins that feed the hemorrhoids and the anus, which prevents the blood supply to these areas and thus causes the patient to experience severe pain. 
• Itching in the area, as well as pain and clots. 
• Bleeding occurs, which ultimately leads to anemia, and thus the patient suffers from many complications of this disease, including shortness of breath, as well as headache, dizziness, and fatigue. 
• Infection in the anus, which leads to infection that leads to many complications such as the formation of abscesses. 

How to diagnose external hemorrhoids 

There are many methods that can be relied upon when diagnosing external hemorrhoids, the most important of which are the following:

First: inspection with the naked eye 

External hemorrhoids are one of the types that can be seen with the naked eye. The doctor makes the diagnosis in this case by examining the skin surrounding the anus, in order to confirm whether there is a problem in this area or not, and it usually consists of the presence of prominent lumps or protrusions in it. 

Second: Finger examination 

Performing anal palpation is done by using the finger of the hand, with the help of a lubricant that helps him enter the anus in order to carefully examine it. 

Third: colonoscopy 

This involves using an endoscope to examine the rectum as well as the colon, and this method is suitable for elderly people, especially those who suffer from bowel problems.

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We ask you to follow the appropriate home treatment methods that we shared today to relieve the symptoms of external hemorrhoids. Also, do not forget to try the soothing ointments that the pharmacist suggests to you, and finally, do not hesitate to consult a doctor if the mentioned instructions do not help reduce the symptoms.

Frequently asked questions

 Do external hemorrhoids disappear on their own?

Yes, external hemorrhoids can disappear on their own, especially if they are of the mild type, as they only require proper treatment or the use of some traditional treatment methods such as herbs and others. 

What is the difference between external and internal hemorrhoids?

There is a difference between each of them, despite their presence in one area, as external hemorrhoids appear around the anus, specifically under the skin, and cause severe pain, while internal hemorrhoids appear specifically inside the rectum and do not cause severe pain, but they lead to bleeding during the defecation process.