External hemorrhoids are located.

Written by Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
Updated on May 22, 2025
00:00
00:00

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.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
1min 11sec home-news-image

Can thrombotic external hemorrhoids be ruptured?

If a patient experiences an acute episode of thrombosed external hemorrhoids, the local pressure on the external hemorrhoids is generally high, and there are thromboses wrapped in the hemorrhoid nucleus. However, it is not advisable for patients to burst it on their own, as under unhygienic conditions, doing so could easily lead to local infection of the hemorrhoids, further exacerbating the condition. The treatment of thrombosed external hemorrhoids requires the professional management of a proctologist. Generally speaking, for mild symptoms, local use of Chinese herbal wash solutions or hemorrhoid creams can be chosen to press on the area, which helps promote the absorption of local thromboses. Alternatively, a professional proctologist can use specialized techniques to crush and press the local thromboses. If the thromboses are large or the local symptoms are severe, causing significant pain and severely affecting normal life, surgical excision might also be considered.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
36sec home-news-image

How long does it take to recover after external hemorrhoidectomy?

External hemorrhoids are mainly classified into inflammatory external hemorrhoids, thrombotic external hemorrhoids, connective tissue external hemorrhoids, and varicose vein external hemorrhoids. Regardless of the type, the primary treatment method is surgical removal. After the hemorrhoids are excised, the perianal area generally does not bleed when passing stools for the first two to three days, and the patient can usually go home in about 7 days. For complete recovery to the pre-condition state, it is estimated to take between 20 days to a month.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
54sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yu Xu Chao
Colorectal Surgery
1min 4sec home-news-image

Hemorrhoids are divided into several degrees.

In clinical practice, external hemorrhoids are not classified by degrees but mainly into skin tag hemorrhoids, varicose vein hemorrhoids, inflammatory hemorrhoids, and thrombosed hemorrhoids. Skin tag hemorrhoids and varicose vein hemorrhoids typically cause sensations of foreign bodies in the anus and feelings of anal prolapse, etc., and conservative medication treatment is generally chosen for these. However, thrombosed hemorrhoids or inflammatory hemorrhoids can cause significant anal swelling and pain, severely impacting the patient's normal life. For these two types of external hemorrhoids, it is recommended to promptly undergo hemorrhoidectomy, followed by medication treatment to promote healing of the surgical site. Because the surgical site for hemorrhoid operations is located at the anus, it is susceptible to contamination from feces and other secretions, which can easily lead to local infections, bleeding, and swelling. Therefore, it is essential to persist in changing dressings and to maintain smooth bowel movements.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by He Cai Dong
Colorectal Surgery Department
1min 15sec home-news-image

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.