HEMMEROID|HEMMEROIDS: treatment|relief|symptoms|bleeding hemmeroids|internal|surgery|cure|

External hemmeroids are as the word implies its hemmeroids that have developed externally. These are easy to detect. You will have a sensation that there is something just outside your anus and when you touch the area, you will actually feel them.

Hemmeroids bring in any form of pain and discomfort, and external hemmeroids make no exception. Hemmeroids can be either external or internal depending on where hemeriods appear. These external hemmeroids protrude near the anus and are covered by a layer of very tender skin. Painful swelling is a result of a blood clot developing in the hemmeroids. These feel like a hard, sensitive lump and will bleed if ruptured. External hemmeroids are the more prevalent of the two types and are associated with the hemmeroids symptoms we most experience. External hemmeroids are usually visible as fleshy lumps around the anus. Seldom they can be mistaken with prolapsed hemmeroids (internal hemmeroids that protrude out the anus). Otherwise, any swelling or a protruding mass at or near the anus are considered to be external hemmeroids.

It is estimated that 85% of the world's population will be affected by hemeoriods at some time in their life but only a tiny percentage of sufferers actually seek medical treatment and those tend to be at the extreme end of sufferers.

External hemmeroids occur outside the rectum, around the anus. Basically, all swellings or protruding masses at or near the anal opening are considered to be external hemmeroids (except in the case of prolapsed internal hemmeroids, which originate internally but can protrude externally as they worsen).

Thrombosed external hemmeroids however, are caused by blood pooling in a distended vein and forming a clot, or thrombus, in the outer region of the anus. These particular hemmeroids usually cause a great deal of pain, as well as some swelling and itching, but they don’t bleed.

After visual examination of the anus and surrounding area for external or prolapsed hemmeroids, a doctor would conduct a digital examination. In addition to probing for hemmeroidal bulges, a doctor would also look for indications of rectal tumor or polyp, enlarged prostate and abscesses. If warranted, more detailed examinations, such as sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy can be performed. In sigmoidoscopy, the last 60cm of the colon and rectum are examined whereas in colonoscopy the entire bowel is examined.

External hemmeroid symptoms may include severe painful swelling or a hard lump around the anus that results when a blood clot forms The lump may have a blue or purple tint. Other symptoms for external hemmeroids are the burning feeling, irritation and anal itching. External hemmeroids elicit symptoms are caused by acute thrombosis, recurring thromboses, or personal hygiene problems. This condition is known as a thrombosed external hemmeroid.

In addition, excessive straining, rubbing, or cleaning around the anus may cause irritation with bleeding and/or itching, which may produce a vicious cycle of symptoms. Pain results when the clot and surrounding edema cause rapid swelling of skin containing a high concentration of nerve endings. This pain can last for one to two weeks, depending on the length of time it takes for the resolution of the thrombosis. At that time, the stretched anoderm remains as excess skin often referred to as "skin tags". External thromboses can sometimes erode the outer layer of skin, which can cause bleeding. Draining mucus may also cause itching. You can easily notice external hemmeroids by inspecting the outer opening of anus. Acute and recurrent thromboses are managed by identifying the offending vascular cluster with the use of local anesthetic in the doctor's office or other clinical setting. Local anesthetic is injected, then the outer skin and subcutaneous veins are excised. Whenever you notice any symptom of external hemmeroids, consult your physician immediately and start treatment. Early hemmeroid treatment will give you early relief from pains and discomforts of external hemmeroids.

Sometimes external hemmeroid ruptures and slight bleeding occur. You might notice bright red blood on the toilet paper after straining to pass a stool. In rare cases, a vein inside an external hemmeroid breaks. Blood may pool under the skin, forming a hard, painful lump. This is called a thrombosed, or clotted hemmeroid. However, a sudden sharp or burning pain during a bowel movement, along with a small spot of blood on toilet tissue, is more likely to be an anal fissure than a hemmeroid.

External hemmeroids can also create problems with personal hygiene. The excess skin that remains after an acute thrombosis is usually the cause of these problems. This excess perianal skin from external hemmeroids requires more attention to be paid when cleansing the area to make sure that all of the skin folds have been tended to.

External hemmeroid treatment includes the following:

• Warm baths (you have to sit in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes twice or thrice a day)
• Ice packs (a temporary relief - the ice packs have be wrapped in a towel to prevent direct contact with the skin)
• Suppositories, seat cushions (if your job requires continuous long sitting) and loose underwear (for your comfort).
• Also, a fibrous diet (blackberries, blueberries, cherries, vitamin C) will help you to get relief up-to certain extent, as this strengthens the veins and ensure smooth bowel.
• You should also try butcher's broom (Ruscus aculeatus), and flavonoids (plant pigments found in fruit and fruit products, tea, and soy).
• After each bowel movement, wiping with a moistened tissue or pad sold for that purpose helps lessen irritation.
• Herbal teas and other kinds of herbal preparations are also suggested for reducing discomfort and eliminating hemmeroids.
• Other recommendations might be to drink six to eight glasses of water a day to increase fecal bulk and prevent straining and to choose a time when you are not rushed.
• Do not ignore the urge to defecate and do not hold your breath while you are on the toilet seat.
• Many people find that over-the-counter hemmeroid creams and foams bring relief, but these medications do not make hameriods disappear.
• Acupuncture, acupressure, aromatherapy, and homeopathy are also used to treat hemmeroids.

In order to avoid your external hemmeroid from coming back, you can try this measures below:

• Avoid prolonged straining at stool. Straining for more than five minutes is harmful to colorectal muscles and nerves. It can also increase stress on the veins of the rectum and worsens hemmeroids. Straining can lead to divertulosis - the formation of small blister-like pockets in the colon walls that can become infected.

• To treat external hemmeroids: Grate one medium potato; mix well with 2-3 teaspoons slippery elm powder. Form into small patty and place on disturbed area for 10-15 minutes, 1-3 times a day. This remedy may be used on sore or cracked nipples as well.

• Use a peeled clove of garlic as a suppository three times a week. You can also use raw potato suppositories to help heal external hemmeroids and relieve pain. Peel a potato and cut it into small cone-shaped pieces.

• Learn not to strain when moving the bowels. Keep the bowels clean and avoid constipation. Do not sit on the commode longer than 10 minutes at a time, as this causes the blood to pool in the hemmeroidal veins.

• Sit on a soft cushion, not on hard surfaces. Use an ordinary cushion, not a doughnut-shaped one. The old-fashioned inflated doughnut cushion actually increases pressure on the hemmeroidal blood vessels, aggravating the swelling and bleeding.

• Cleanse your external hemmeroid with warm water. A hot bath for 15 minutes a day is quite helpful. Do not add bath beads, oils, or bubbles to the water, as this can irritate sensitive tissues. Many people add Epsom salts, but this has no proven clinical value. It is the warm water that reduces swelling and eases pain brought by hemmeroids. A warm water sitz bath to which you can add some white oak may be beneficial. Do not use white oak or other sitz bath products if you have either weeping eczema or congestive heart failure.

• Warm sitz baths are especially beneficial. Take a mineral sitz bath daily.

• Avoid use of strong or harsh laxatives. Most of these products induce unnecessary straining at bowel movements and often "overdo" their jobs by creating a condition similar to diarrhea. Also, using chemical laxatives does not provide the healthful benefits that natural substances provide. Laxatives products can also cause the bowels to become dependent upon them for normal functioning, much like an addiction. Instead of chemical preparations, use a stool softener or glycerine suppository if constipation or straining at defecation are a problem.

• Kombucha tea, which has antibacterial and immune-boosting properties, has been reported to be helpful.

• Wear cotton underwear. Cotton has more fresher than other fabrics and is less likely to restrict circulation and it good especially for external hemmeroid.

• In rare instances, zinc oxide from creams applied to hemmeroids can cause a metallic taste in the mouth. If this happens, change hemmeroid creams. In very rare cases, overuse of zinc oxide creams can cause yellow eyes, yellow skin, and abdominal pain. In these cases, discontinue the cream and see a health care provider promptly.

• Treatments for hemmeroids can reduce the risk of permanent fecal incontinence after the damage that can occur during childbirth.

• The most common cause of anal itching is tissue trauma resulting from the use of harsh toilet paper so therefore refrain from using toilet paper, you can try moist pads instead to avoid external hemmeroid irritation.

You can consult your doctor if above treatment for external hemmeroid does not give you relief or external hemmeroid symptoms still persist. Your doctor can give you proper advice for your hemmeroid condition.