External Hemorrhoids - 18 Causes and 10 Solutions for Dealing with External Hemorrhoidal Formations

Okay, so you either think you have external hemorrhoids but you are not quite sure, or you know you have them and you just want to know what to do about it. Either way, you have come to the right place.

On this page you will learn all the facts about external hemorrhoids as well as how to get rid of them.

While it may prove an embarrassing topic of discussion for many people, external hemorrhoids or piles is a very common condition. 

Don't be embarrassed - Lots of People Suffer With Hemorrhoids

External hemorrhoids can occur in males and females: the condition is non-discriminatory.  Actually, some research has revealed that more than fifty percent of all citizens in the United States that are fifty years of age or older have endured this malady at one point or another during their lifetime. 

Out of all the people that deal with external hemorrhoids, only a very small percentage end up seeking medical assistance for the condition; for the most part, mild to moderate external piles can be treated with at-home conservative treatments.  However, there are some people that develop severe thrombosed external hemorrhoids that require medical intervention.

Understanding the Causes of External Hemorrhoids

If you have ever seen external hemorrhoid photos you will immediately understand just how irritating and uncomfortable the condition can be.  External hemorrhoids appear on and outside the anal area; they are swollen veins that can become excessively large, inflamed, and sometimes people develop bleeding external hemorrhoids.  Mild external hemorrhoids are sometimes painless and only noticed when someone is cleansing the anal area after a bowel movement: the formation of piles can be noted by the appearance of lump-like formations around and on the anal opening. 

To See What They Can Look Like - Click on The Image Below

1. Venous swelling and inflammation in/around the anus
2. Inappropriate hygienic practices
3. Constipation/Diarrhea
4. Obesity
5. Pregnancy
6. Physical Strain
7. Inadequate Fiber Intake
8. Cirrhosis of the Liver
9. Anal Intercourse
10. Alcoholism
11. Aging
12. Irregular Bowel Movements
13. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
14. High Fat Dietary Intake
15. Prolonged Standing/Prolonged Sitting
16. Lack of Exercise
17. Smoking
18. Digestive Conditions

External Hemorrhoids – Types

When faced with dealing with external hemorrhoids, there are two different types of formations. The first type of formation is Type I External hemorrhoids.  These formations that form outside of the anal opening.  Type I external formations actually form inside the anus and later protrude outside of the anal opening.  Type II external formations can become strangulated by the muscles of the anus; this leads to the formation of a blood clot in the swollen vein causing the formation in the first place.  When the blood clot develops ,the external formation becomes a thrombosed external hemorrhoid.

Signs and Symptoms of External Hemorrhoids

When you have external hemorrhoids, as mentioned earlier, you may not have any symptoms at all when the condition first develops.  As the condition worsens however, you can develop an array of signs and symptoms. 

Mild formations are associated with the following symptoms:

• Anal lumps noted upon physical examination of the area. The lumps can be flesh color, brownish or even red in color, depending upon the degree of irritation and the size of the formation.
• Slight bleeding noted when cleansing the area after a bowel movement.
• Mildly blood streaked stools.

As the severity of hemorrhoid formations worsens or if thrombosed external hemorrhoids develop, you can develop more extreme symptoms including:

• The formation of one or more hard, sore lumps around the anal opening
• A burning sensation in and around the anal opening
• Skin irritation and difficulty sitting
• Itchiness
• Difficulty walking/standing
• Moderate to extreme discomfort

Proper External Hemorrhoid Treatment

If you have external hemorrhoids that have not thrombosed, you have a number of treatment options you can choose from so you can keep the condition under control or so that you can prevent further irritation of the affected area. 

There are a variety of treatments for hemorrhoids that can help you in dealing with swelling, burning, and itchiness.  Some common treatments for mild to moderate external formations include things like:

1. Herbal supplements for dealing with swelling, irritation, itchiness, and burning
2. OTC Ointments or cream applications containing lidocaine or benzocaine
3. Sitz bathes with plain warm water or added herbals
4. Ice applications to numb the area
5. Fiber supplements for constipation prevention
6. Astringents: Witch hazel medicated pads or herbal solutions

Severe External Hemorrhoids – Thrombosed Piles

Thrombosed external hemorrhoids occur when the blood flow to the external hemorrhoid formation has been ceased or cut off by the anal opening. 

Other factors that contribute to the development of thrombosed external hemorrhoids include damage that has occurred to the walls of the veins in and around the anal canal or changes in your blood’s composition that cause the formation of a blood clot. 

Sometimes thrombosed hemorrhoids can be managed with conservative measures, but in many instances, the sufferer of thrombosed formations must seek out some form of medical intervention.  Medical treatments for thrombosed piles include things like:

7. Sclerotherapy
8. Laser treatments for hemorrhoids
9. Hemorrhoidectomy Surgery
10. Hemorrhoid Banding Treatment

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