External hemorrhoids are usually easy to distinguish for they usually appear as lumps around the anus.

Hemorrhoids are lumps formed around the anal area or inside the rectum lining. These lumps occur as a result of too much anal pressure applied on the rectum during bowel movements. The pressure applied stretches the rectal walls supporting the veins which in most cases results to rupture. Once the rectal walls lose their support and rupture, tissues get enlarged and transform into a fleshy protrusion around the anal area.

Another reason why people suffer from external hemorrhoids is due to a poor diet consisting of low fiber and high fats. Other causes of external hemorrhoids could be due to pregnancy, obesity, diarrhea, chronic constipation and cirrhosis. Some of the symptoms observed in external hemorrhoids are swelling of tissue near or around the anal area, bleeding after every bowel movement, painful to defecate, blood clots, and a burning and itching sensation near the anus. External hemorrhoids can cause a lot of people discomfort during bowel movement. The good news is, there are natural hemorrhoids remedy and surgical methods to relieve patients of their sufferings.

External hemorrhoids treatments

Treatments for external hemorrhoids come in different forms and it is up to you which one to choose to end your suffering. You have the option of resorting to home remedies and natural herbs to ease the pain, or undergo surgery to permanently remove your external hemorrhoids. Regardless of which method to choose, the most important part would be to finally get rid of the painful and burning sensation you have endured for so long.

Home remedies for external hemorrhoids

  • Sitz bath with lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes every day. After doing so, use a clean towel to dry the affected area. Make sure that it is cleaned and dried properly because leaving it wet would only cause the hemorrhoids to inflame and be more painful.
  • Ice packs should be applied to the affected are to reduce the pain and swelling caused by external hemorrhoids
  • A mixture of petroleum jelly, lavender oil and aloe gel should be applied to the affected area to relieve you of the burning and itching sensation associated with external hemorrhoids
  • There are natural herbs known for treating external hemorrhoids. Such herbs include golden seal and mullein, which can be mixed with water to form a paste. The paste is then applied to the affected area. Leave it on for an hour and clean the anal area with lukewarm water afterwards. Don’t forget to dry the area with a clean towel.
  • There are also certain plant extracts that you can use to make special drinks which can give you relief from hemorrhoids. Pomegranate drink for example, can be consumed once in the morning and before going to bed, to give instant relief and eventually cure the hemorrhoids over time.
  • The anal area should be gently cleaned with wet wipes after each bowel movement to prevent itching and irritation
  • If you cannot take the pain caused by external hemorrhoids anymore, you can take in aspirin to relieve the discomfort temporarily

Surgical methods

There are also surgical methods available as treatment for external hemorrhoids. Some methods can be done in the clinic since it will only take a while to finish, while some surgical methods require the application of general anesthesia and an overnight stay in the hospital. Some of the common medical methods used in the treatment of external hemorrhoids are:

  • Injection sclerotherapy ­– the method involves shrinking the hemorrhoid lumps and closing the dilated rectal veins by injecting a medical solution in the affected area
  • Rubber band ligation – a rubber band is placed at the base of the hemorrhoid to stop the blood supply of the affected vein. This will cause it to dry up and fall in one week.
  • Infrared protocoagulation –infrared light is directed to the affected veins in the anal area, causing it to dilate and coagulate. The hemorrhoids will then shrink since the blood cannot pass through the dilated veins.
  • Laser coagulation – electric current is used to shrink the protruding tissue caused by hemorrhoids. The electric current will trigger a chemical reaction that cut off the blood supply of the affected area.

There are still other ways of treating external hemorrhoids and it is up to you and your doctor to look for methods that is suitable for your condition.

Filed under: Types of Hemorrhoids

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