External hemorrhoids: symptoms, causes, and how to deal with them

Piles (hemorrhoids) is a common disease, especially in adults. However, many do not know that this disease has several types, one of which is external hemorrhoids. Intrigued by this type of external hemorrhoids? Come on, learn more in the following review.

What is external hemorrhoid?

Before understanding external hemorrhoids, you must first understand the disease of hemorrhoids first. Hemorrhoids that have many names such as hemorrhoids or hemorrhoids namely inflammation and swelling of the veins near the anus.

Types of external hemorrhoids according to a colorectal surgeon from the Cleveland Clinic dr. Michael Valente is a lump or lump filled with inflamed blood vessels under the surface of the anal skin. The blood vessels in the anus can stretch and become irritated so that they become swollen like a lump.

This type of hemorrhoid will be easily visible from the outside with the naked eye. Initially the shape of this small hemorrhoid is not visible. However, when it becomes more inflamed, the lump can get bigger, reddish, and feel more painful.

External hemorrhoids are also commonly referred to as skin tag or external hemorrhoids.

What are the symptoms of external hemorrhoids?

There are various symptoms that appear when hemorrhoids grow on the outside. Symptoms tend to vary depending on the severity of your hemorrhoids. Here are the symptoms of external hemorrhoids that you should be aware of.

1. A lump near the anus

External hemorrhoids can cause purplish blue lumps near the anus. This occurs because of the buildup of blood in the vessels near the anus. As a result, this buildup also makes the skin layer to swell.

2. Itching and pain

Clots, which are a typical symptom of external hemorrhoids, can cause itching in the anus. Often times, these lumps also cause severe pain, especially when you have a bowel movement or when you sit too long.

3. The emergence skin tag

In some cases, external hemorrhoid lumps can be flesh tissue or excess skin hanging from the anal canal. This is called skin tag.

The remaining tissue occurs because the lumps in the veins have healed and are shrinking, while the remaining skin from the blood clots cannot shrink and disappear.

Skin tags can make the stool that comes out stuck around the anys hole. When not cleaned properly, it can lead to the risk of infection in the skin around the anus.

4. The presence of blood in the stool

In addition to the appearance of clots around the anus, some people who experience external hemorrhoids also feel bloody stools. When observed, blood is usually on the outer surface of the stool and is bright red.

The presence of this blood indicates that the clot outside the anus is rubbing against the hardened stool. Symptoms of external hemorrhoids are most likely to occur when you are constipated. Fortunately, there was not much blood that came out.

What causes hemorrhoids to grow outside?

External hemorrhoids are lumps from the veins that are outside the anus. There are several causes of hemorrhoids or external hemorrhoids, ranging from lifestyle to certain conditions and diseases.

1. Pushing too hard when defecating

Common hemorrhoids are caused by the habit of straining or cool too hard during bowel movements. This habit is often done by people who experience constipation. Stool that is hard and solid will be difficult to pass so it takes extra encouragement and effort cool.

Ngeden being too strong can increase blood flow to the anus. If you drink too often, back blood flow will be blocked and collect in the hemorrhoid area so that it can swell. As a result, you can get external hemorrhoids if you often experience constipation.

2. Pregnancy

External hemorrhoids can also occur during pregnancy because the uterus and the weight of the baby continue to put pressure on the pelvis. This extra weight can also put pressure on the inferior vena cava.

The inferior vena cava is a large vessel on the right side of the body. Its job is to carry blood from the lower part of the body to return to the heart.

If the inferior vena cava is squeezed, the blood flow to the heart will be interrupted. This causes the blood vessels under the uterus to dilate, including those in the anus.

3. Lifting objects too heavy

Too often lifting heavy objects, such as sofas, gallons of water, or even rice carousels can lead to the risk of blood vessels in the anus to swell.

Lifting heavy objects will increase the pressure in your stomach, making it look like you are pushing. The effect is the same. Blood can collect in the hemorrhoid area to form external hemorrhoids.

4. Age

One of the causes of external hemorrhoids is aging. Blood vessels can relax, stretch, and loosen as you get older. Including the vessels around the rectum and anus, because of the blood vessels.

Finally, this makes the area around the rectum prone to swelling and developing lumps. It is not surprising that external hemorrhoids are more common in people aged 45-65 years.

External hemorrhoid care at home

External hemorrhoids generally heal on their own, but that doesn't mean you can just underestimate the condition. You can perform various treatments at home to prevent the symptoms of external hemorrhoids from getting worse, as follows.

Use topical creams and ointments for hemorrhoids that contain hydrocortisone.
Apply a warm compress near the area where the hemorrhoids appear to relieve pain and help to exfoliate.
Take a warm bath.
Take pain relievers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen to reduce pain and discomfort in the anus.
Eating foods high in fiber such as fruits, vegetables and nuts to prevent constipation and avoid bloody bowel movements.

Medical procedures for external hemorrhoids

If it has been healing for a long time and the pain is getting worse, you should consult a doctor. External hemorrhoids can become severe and cause complications of thrombosed hemorrhoids, which are at high risk of rupture.

Doctors generally will perform actions by binding, breaking, or removing the external hemorrhoid. This procedure can only be performed by a doctor in a hospital, the following are among them.

1. Rubber band ligation

This procedure is performed to block the flow of blood to the hemorrhoidal lump by wrapping a small rubber band over the lump.

The hemorrhoid can then come off in a few days, while the wound can heal in one to two weeks. A few days after doing this procedure, the patient will usually feel uncomfortable and light bleeding occurs.

2. Hemorrhoidectomy

Hemorrhoid surgery to remove extra tissue that is causing bleeding and bulging. Before surgery, you will be given an anesthetic injection first. Haemorrhoidectomy will be carried out with the following considerations:

This operation will be performed if it is found that the external hemorrhoid recurs frequently,
never did rubber band ligation, but the result was ineffective,
the blood clot that stands out doesn't shrink, as well
chronic bleeding occurs.

If you still have questions about external hemorrhoids, consult your doctor.