External hemorrhoids are located.

Written by Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
Updated on May 22, 2025
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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 Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
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Can external hemorrhoids be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs?

Some types of external hemorrhoids can be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs. External hemorrhoids refer to hemorrhoids that are located below the dentate line. They can be divided into four categories: connective tissue external hemorrhoids, varicose vein type external hemorrhoids, thrombotic external hemorrhoids, and inflammatory external hemorrhoids. The first three types of external hemorrhoids do not require anti-inflammatory drugs. Only inflammatory external hemorrhoids, which are caused by inflammatory hyperplasia around the anus, can be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs during inflammation to reduce the size of the pathological tissues. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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Thrombotic external hemorrhoids: how many days to relieve pain?

The duration of pain associated with thrombosed external hemorrhoids mainly depends on the size of the thrombosis formed. If medications are not actively used, the pain may not be significantly alleviated. Options include using traditional Chinese medicine washes as hot compresses or applying hemorrhoid cream locally to relieve symptoms. After pharmacological treatment, pain generally subsides in about a week. However, certain thrombosed external hemorrhoids may not shrink on their own due to significant local congestion or thrombosis, thus medication alone may not completely relieve pain or produce significant clinical effects. The primary treatment method still required is surgical intervention, mainly using thrombectomy. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor according to the specific situation.)

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Written by Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
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External hemorrhoids are divided into several types.

External hemorrhoids refer to hemorrhoids below the dentate line and are divided into four types. The first type is the connective tissue type of external hemorrhoids, which are formed by the proliferation and bulging of excess skin at the anal margin. The second type is the varicose vein type of external hemorrhoids, formed by the dilation and bending of the venous plexus below the dentate line. The third type is inflammatory external hemorrhoids, which is a state where external hemorrhoids become inflamed. The fourth type is the thrombosed external hemorrhoid, which is formed by bleeding due to the rupture of the subcutaneous veins at the anal margin, resulting in a blood clot.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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The difference between mixed hemorrhoids and external hemorrhoids

Both mixed hemorrhoids and external hemorrhoids fall within the clinical scope of hemorrhoids. However, mixed hemorrhoids generally include external hemorrhoids, whereas external hemorrhoids consist simply of local skin tags or connective tissue-based external hemorrhoids near the anal region. In addition to the local external hemorrhoids, mixed hemorrhoids also have local mucosal protrusions around the dentate line inside the anal canal, which connect with the external hemorrhoids to form mixed hemorrhoids. Both mixed and external hemorrhoids are very common. Treatment options include conservative medication or surgical removal. The primary surgical method for mixed hemorrhoids is excision and ligation, while for external hemorrhoids, the primary method is excision. Post-surgery, it is necessary to disinfect and change dressings on the local wounds to promote further growth and healing.

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Written by Yu Xu Chao
Colorectal Surgery
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How to eliminate external hemorrhoids without a core?

Conservative medication treatment for external hemorrhoidal nodules can only reduce their size, but cannot completely eliminate them. For instance, if an external hemorrhoidal nodule develops inflammatory edema, one can take oral Diltiazem tablets, combined with anal wash or potassium permanganate solution for local sitz baths, and apply Golden Ointment externally, which can achieve good anti-swelling effects. However, if the external hemorrhoidal nodule is significantly enlarged, or even forms a thrombus causing pain and swelling in the anus, simply using medication cannot effectively improve the symptoms. In such cases, surgical intervention is required to eliminate the nodule, such as external hemorrhoidectomy. Post-surgery, dressing changes such as Mupirocin ointment, red oil gauze strips, Golden Ointment, and other medications are recommended. Furthermore, the patient should maintain good bowel habits, avoiding prolonged toilet time or excessive straining.