Do external hemorrhoids always require surgery?

Written by Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
Updated on December 26, 2024
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Simple external hemorrhoids do not necessarily require surgery. External hemorrhoids are mainly those that grow below the dentate line, and their main clinical manifestation is a foreign body sensation in the anus, which does not pose a significant risk to the body. Only thrombosed external hemorrhoids with obvious anal pain may not require surgery if the lump is small, as the thrombus can be absorbed on its own. Only those with large lumps need to have the thrombus removed to alleviate pain.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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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
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Will external hemorrhoids affect sexual life?

External hemorrhoids generally do not affect sexual life. External hemorrhoids mainly refer to hemorrhoids that grow below the dentate line, primarily divided into connective tissue external hemorrhoids, varicose external hemorrhoids, inflammatory external hemorrhoids, and thrombosed external hemorrhoids. The main clinical manifestations of the first three types of external hemorrhoids are a foreign body sensation in the anus and moisture at the anus, so they do not affect sexual life. Only thrombosed external hemorrhoids can cause anal pain, which might affect sexual life if the pain is very severe.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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Thrombotic external hemorrhoids clinical characteristics

The clinical features of thrombosed external hemorrhoids primarily include acute episodes of localized swelling and pain in the anal area, with thrombosis forming in the local hemorrhoidal tissue. This condition is primarily due to dry stools and excessive straining during bowel movements, leading to congestion and edema in the local hemorrhoidal tissue and subsequent disruption of local blood circulation, resulting in thrombosis. After an attack, the anal hemorrhoidal tissue may display dark red or purplish clots, enclosed by the local skin and mucous membrane. Treatment options include the application of topical medications and hot compresses to promote absorption of the hemorrhoids, as well as local surgical excision. It is important to note that if rupture or bleeding occurs, considering the possibility of local thrombus rupture, it is essential to perform proper local cleaning and disinfection and to promptly proceed with surgical excision to prevent infection.

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Written by Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
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What causes external hemorrhoids to itch?

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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Colorectal Surgery
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What foods to eat for thrombotic external hemorrhoids?

Thrombotic external hemorrhoids are primarily caused by inflammation of the anal veins, or by the rupture and thrombus formation of the anal venous plexus due to excessive straining. The main symptoms are a sudden bluish-purple swelling at the edge of the anus or severe pain. The primary cause is usually due to constipation. Therefore, it's important to maintain smooth bowel movements when eating. Increasing the intake of vegetables and fruits and reducing the consumption of meat, while ensuring regular bowel movements, is most crucial.