Can external hemorrhoids be eliminated?

Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
Updated on February 10, 2025
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External hemorrhoids are generally divided into skin tag-type external hemorrhoids, thrombotic external hemorrhoids, and inflammatory edematous external hemorrhoids; each type presents different clinical symptoms. If the condition is skin tag-type external hemorrhoids or connective tissue-type external hemorrhoids, the patient generally does not feel obvious symptoms, but these will not resolve on their own and require surgical removal. If skin tag-type or connective tissue-type external hemorrhoids do not affect the patient's normal life, it is possible to avoid excessive intervention and treatment. However, if it is thrombotic external hemorrhoids or inflammatory edematous external hemorrhoids, since there is significant pain during flare-ups that affects the patient’s normal life, surgical removal and treatment should be performed as soon as possible.

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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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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 Yang Dong
Colorectal Surgery Department
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The difference between rectal prolapse and external hemorrhoids.

Rectal prolapse is the protrusion of the rectal mucosa, which manifests as an eversion of the mucosa presenting as pink-colored, cylindrical protrusions. These can usually be manually repositioned back into the anus, appearing smooth once repositioned. In contrast, external hemorrhoids are mostly caused by varicosities and are the same color as the skin. They cannot be completely repositioned manually, which distinguishes them from rectal prolapse.

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Written by Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
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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.