Do minor external hemorrhoids itch?

Written by Yu Xu Chao
Colorectal Surgery
Updated on May 03, 2025
00:00
00:00

Mild external hemorrhoids can also cause localized itching in the anal area, but the itching is not pronounced. This is because the external hemorrhoids themselves stimulate the perianal skin, causing mild itching and a sensation of a foreign body in the anus. Moreover, external hemorrhoids can lead to increased secretions around the anus, further irritating the perianal skin and, in severe cases, causing anal eczema. Thus, in most cases, mild external hemorrhoids can cause itching, although it is not intense. For such situations, it is primarily important for patients to keep the perianal area dry and hygienic, wear loose, breathable cotton underwear, and avoid friction against the hemorrhoids. For mild itching, topical treatments such as calamine lotion can be used, along with keeping the perianal area dry. Additionally, a light diet should be maintained.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yu Xu Chao
Colorectal Surgery
1min 2sec home-news-image

How to deal with occasional bleeding from external hemorrhoids?

Occasional bleeding from external hemorrhoids is mainly due to damage to the hemorrhoids, which leads to bleeding, usually accompanied by pain and a foreign body sensation in the anus. In such cases, if the bleeding is not severe and the pain is mild, it means the damage to the external hemorrhoids is not serious. For these cases, one can choose to use an anal cleansing agent for sitz baths to achieve anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects, and then apply hemorrhoid cream and other medications externally to promote healing of the sores. At the same time, patients should wear loose, breathable cotton underwear to avoid frequent friction on the external hemorrhoids, which can worsen the damage. If the damage to the external hemorrhoids is severe, or if there is swelling or thrombosis, it is advised to go to the hospital's anorectal surgery department as soon as possible to undergo a hemorrhoidectomy. After the surgery, patients must persist in changing dressings to promote wound healing.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
51sec home-news-image

Clinical Characteristics of External Hemorrhoids

External hemorrhoids refer to hemorrhoids located below the dentate line, which are classified into four main types, each with distinct clinical manifestations. Connective tissue external hemorrhoids and varicose vein-type external hemorrhoids primarily present with a mild sensation of a foreign body in the anus. Inflammatory external hemorrhoids are characterized by redness, swelling, protrusion, burning, or itching of the anal skin or skin tags. Thrombosed external hemorrhoids often occur after intense exercise or straining during bowel movements, suddenly presenting as a round or oval lump under the skin at the edge of the anus. This lump contains a venous thrombus and is accompanied by anal pain.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
38sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
45sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yu Xu Chao
Colorectal Surgery
57sec home-news-image

Do minor external hemorrhoids itch?

Mild external hemorrhoids can also cause localized itching in the anal area, but the itching is not pronounced. This is because the external hemorrhoids themselves stimulate the perianal skin, causing mild itching and a sensation of a foreign body in the anus. Moreover, external hemorrhoids can lead to increased secretions around the anus, further irritating the perianal skin and, in severe cases, causing anal eczema. Thus, in most cases, mild external hemorrhoids can cause itching, although it is not intense. For such situations, it is primarily important for patients to keep the perianal area dry and hygienic, wear loose, breathable cotton underwear, and avoid friction against the hemorrhoids. For mild itching, topical treatments such as calamine lotion can be used, along with keeping the perianal area dry. Additionally, a light diet should be maintained.