What's causing hemorrhoids to itch?

Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
Updated on September 26, 2024
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Hemorrhoids cause secretions to flow out from within the anal canal, particularly in the case of internal hemorrhoids. When severe, these secretions can flow outside the anus due to changes in the position of the anus or the patient's body, irritating the local skin and mucosa around the anus, thus leading to symptoms of itching. Additionally, with repeated prolapse of internal hemorrhoids, the mucosa may get trapped at the anal opening and cannot retract normally, also causing irritating itching and possibly even pain and bleeding due to repeated friction. To treat the itching from hemorrhoids, it is first necessary to alleviate the increased secretion from internal hemorrhoids. Options include using anti-inflammatory suppositories or gels, and washing the anal area with saline water or herbal washes that have antipruritic effects.

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Written by Xu Jun Hui
General Surgery
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Can hemorrhoid suppositories be used for hemorrhoid bleeding?

For hemorrhoid bleeding, if the bleeding is not severe, external hemorrhoid suppositories can be used to compress and stop the bleeding, which can be quite effective. If the hemorrhoid bleeding is heavy and prolonged and the suppository is not effective, hospitalization is required. Intravenous hemostatic drugs or oral hemostatics should be administered, with local gauze compression, and surgery should be performed as soon as possible to definitively stop the bleeding. If the bleeding is due to oral anticoagulants, it may be necessary to consider discontinuing these medications, providing symptomatic support treatment for hemostasis, and surgical treatment if necessary.

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Written by Yu Xu Chao
Colorectal Surgery
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How to treat hemorrhoids bleeding

In clinical practice, the treatment of hemorrhoidal bleeding primarily depends on the severity of the bleeding. If a patient experiences frequent hemorrhoidal bleeding and the volume of blood loss is significant, it is recommended to adopt surgical treatments early. Prolonged bleeding can lead to severe anemia, severely impacting the patient's health. Possible surgical options include sclerotherapy, internal hemorrhoid ligation, or surgeries like PPH and TST. However, if the hemorrhoidal bleeding is infrequent and the volume of blood loss is minimal, the first step should be to improve the diet. Consuming more seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables, maintaining smooth bowel movements, not spending too long on bowel movements or straining excessively, and using hemorrhoidal suppositories or ointments for anal administration after bowel movements are recommended.

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Written by Xu Jun Hui
General Surgery
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Hemorrhoids with bloody stools belong to what type of hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are divided into internal and external hemorrhoids. Bleeding from hemorrhoids generally belongs to internal hemorrhoids or develops into mixed hemorrhoids. Therefore, hemorrhoidal bleeding is due to internal hemorrhoids or mixed hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are classified into four degrees: First-degree hemorrhoids do not prolapse. Second-degree hemorrhoids prolapse during defecation when abdominal pressure increases but can retract spontaneously afterward. Third-degree hemorrhoids involve prolapse of the hemorrhoidal tissue that requires manual replacement. Fourth-degree hemorrhoids are incarcerated and cannot be retracted. The treatment of hemorrhoidal bleeding depends on the amount and nature of the bleeding. If it is a small amount of bleeding, conservative treatment is generally sufficient, and the bleeding symptoms will disappear. If the bleeding is significant and persistent, failure to promptly address and surgically treat it may lead to chronic anemia and iron deficiency anemia.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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Hemorrhoids, are they cancer?

Hemorrhoids are not cancer; they are a benign and common local disease of the anus. The main cause is due to the displacement of the anal cushion or the formation of varicose veins and thrombi in the local mucosal tissue, leading to protrusion, swelling, and even pain and bleeding of the local mucosa. Hemorrhoids are a common proctological disease, with an incidence rate of about 60% among adults, primarily influenced by poor dietary and defecation habits. Therefore, to prevent the onset of hemorrhoids, it is recommended to avoid overly spicy and irritating foods and to keep bowel movements under ten minutes to prevent overly dry stools.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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What to eat when hemorrhoids bleed?

When symptoms of bleeding occur in hemorrhoids, it is generally necessary to first carry out symptomatic treatment with oral hemostatic medications and local anal suppository for hemorrhoids. Simple bleeding or minor bleeding can be alleviated by oral medication or conservative topical drugs. If the bleeding hemorrhoids are accompanied by recurrent protrusion of internal masses or severe anal pain, in addition to oral hemostatic drugs, it is also necessary to combine surgical ligation or internal hemorrhoidal banding for hemostasis, and if necessary, combined with internal sclerosant mucosal injection for comprehensive treatment. When patients with hemorrhoids bleed, it is generally advised to eat liquid food and avoid hard textured food, and certainly not to eat spicy and irritating food.