What causes external hemorrhoids to itch?

Written by Deng Heng

Colorectal Surgery

Updated on March 15, 2025

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External hemorrhoids are hypertrophic skin tags at the anal margin and surrounding skin, or dilation of the subcutaneous venous plexus leading to blood stasis and thrombus formation, resulting in protruding lesions. According to their characteristics, they can be divided into connective tissue external hemorrhoids, thrombotic external hemorrhoids, varicose external hemorrhoids, and inflammatory external hemorrhoids. In particular, inflammatory external hemorrhoids can cause the surrounding skin to become moist. This moisture can lead to the formation of eczema and pruritic diseases in the surrounding skin, causing skin lesions. One of the main features after skin lesions is itching around the skin surrounding the external hemorrhoids.

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Written by He Cai Dong

Colorectal Surgery Department

1min 15sec

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Can external hemorrhoids be pushed back in by hand?

External hemorrhoids cannot be pushed back in by hand, as they are swollen around the anus, not prolapsed internal hemorrhoids. If they were prolapsed internal hemorrhoids, the lump could be pushed back in. For external hemorrhoids, if it is a short-term flare-up, it is recommended to take a warm saltwater sitz bath. After ten minutes, apply hemorrhoid cream to the affected area once in the morning and evening. Oral medication can also be used in conjunction, and treatment for a week can reduce the swelling. If the external hemorrhoid lump is very large and accompanied by severe pain, thrombosed hemorrhoids should be considered, and it is necessary to visit the hospital's proctology department. Surgery may be required if necessary. Diet should be light; spicy and irritating foods should not be eaten, nor should triggering foods like beef, lamb, and seafood. Alcohol consumption, including beer, should be avoided.

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Written by Yu Xu Chao

Colorectal Surgery

1min 16sec

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Can external hemorrhoids be pinched?

In clinical practice, external hemorrhoids can be classified into skin tag hemorrhoids, varicose vein hemorrhoids, thrombosed hemorrhoids, and inflammatory hemorrhoids. Among these, skin tag hemorrhoids can be pinched, but do not exert excessive force to avoid skin damage and causing anal pain. On the other hand, varicose vein hemorrhoids, thrombosed hemorrhoids, and inflammatory hemorrhoids should not be pinched, as pinching may easily cause subcutaneous vein damage, exacerbate thrombosis, and lead to anal distension and pain. External hemorrhoids can be gently massaged and rubbed, but should not be pinched forcefully. Moreover, clinically, treatments for external hemorrhoids often involve the use of anal washes or potassium permanganate solution for sits baths, and it is recommended to take a sitz bath for five to ten minutes after defecation to help reduce external hemorrhoids and prevent their enlargement. Maintaining good bowel habits is essential, avoiding prolonged defecation and excessive straining. After defecation, it is advisable to perform more anal lift exercises to strengthen the anal sphincter muscles.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing

Colorectal Surgery

54sec

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How to treat thrombosed external hemorrhoids

The treatment of thrombosed external hemorrhoids generally includes conservative medication or surgical treatment. Thrombosed external hemorrhoids are a clinical type of external hemorrhoids. They usually present in the acute phase with significant local pain and thrombus encapsulation within the hemorrhoid. Due to congestion and edema in the hemorrhoid, excessive pressure builds up inside, causing severe pain for the patient. Conservative medication treatment primarily involves sitz baths with hemorrhoidal wash solutions and hot compresses to promote thrombus absorption, as well as applying hemorrhoidal creams, or orally taking anti-swelling, pain-relieving, and thrombus-absorbing medications. If these methods repeatedly fail, surgery can be opted to strip and remove the local thrombus.

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Written by Deng Heng

Colorectal Surgery

41sec

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External hemorrhoids are located.

External hemorrhoids are formed by the inferior rectal venous plexus, located below the dentate line, and are covered by the skin of the anal canal. The most common type is thrombosed external hemorrhoids, which form when a blood clot develops in the subcutaneous venous plexus of the anal canal. Connective tissue external hemorrhoids and inflammatory external hemorrhoids are also relatively common, both located below the dentate line, around the anal margin and inside the anal canal. Generally speaking, hemorrhoids below the dentate line are called external hemorrhoids, and those above the dentate line are called internal hemorrhoids.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing

Colorectal Surgery

59sec

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Can external hemorrhoids be cured completely?

External hemorrhoids are a common clinical type of hemorrhoids, and the main method for radical treatment is primarily surgical removal. The sole use of topical medications or oral medications can only alleviate the congestion, swelling, and pain caused by external hemorrhoids, but cannot completely remove them. The surgical methods for external hemorrhoids primarily include external hemorrhoidectomy or the combined internal ligation and external excision surgery. If internal hemorrhoids are also removed during the surgery, there will be sutures present, and it is recommended that patients be hospitalized and observed until the sutures fall out before being discharged. This is to avoid complications such as major bleeding from premature suture loss due to early discharge or exertion.