What Do Hemorrhoids Look Like? Itchy, Bleeding, and More

2021-05-24

what

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the anus and rectum. They can be internal, meaning they are inside the rectum, or external, meaning they are outside the anus. Hemorrhoids are very common, affecting up to 50% of people at some point in their lives.

Internal hemorrhoids are usually not visible or painful. However, they can cause bleeding, itching, and a feeling of fullness or pressure in the rectum. External hemorrhoids, on the other hand, can be visible and painful. They may appear as small, red bumps around the anus. They can also cause bleeding, itching, and pain when sitting or walking.

If you think you have hemorrhoids, it is important to see a doctor to get a diagnosis and treatment plan. In most cases, hemorrhoids can be treated with simple home remedies. However, in some cases, surgery may be necessary.

what does a hemorrhoid look like

Hemorrhoids can appear in different ways, depending on their type and severity. Here are 8 important points about what hemorrhoids may look like:

Internal hemorrhoids: Usually not visible or painful.
External hemorrhoids: Appear as small, red bumps around the anus.
Thrombosed hemorrhoids: Swollen, bluish-purple hemorrhoids with a blood clot inside.
Bleeding hemorrhoids: Bright red blood on toilet paper or in the stool.
Itchy hemorrhoids: Intense itching around the anus.
Painful hemorrhoids: Pain when sitting, walking, or having a bowel movement.
Protruding hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids that push out of the anus, especially during a bowel movement.
Strangulated hemorrhoids: Severe pain, swelling, and discoloration of a hemorrhoid.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor to get a diagnosis and treatment plan.

Internal hemorrhoids: Usually not visible or painful.

Internal hemorrhoids are located inside the rectum, above the anal opening. They are usually not visible or painful. However, they can cause a number of symptoms, including:

Bleeding: Internal hemorrhoids can bleed painlessly, especially during a bowel movement. The blood may be bright red or dark red.

Prolapse: Internal hemorrhoids can protrude, or prolapse, outside the anus, especially during a bowel movement. This can cause pain, itching, and bleeding.

Thrombosis: Internal hemorrhoids can develop a blood clot, which is called thrombosis. This can cause severe pain, swelling, and inflammation. Infection: Internal hemorrhoids can become infected, which can cause pain, swelling, fever, and chills.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor to get a diagnosis and treatment plan.

External hemorrhoids: Appear as small, red bumps around the anus.

External hemorrhoids are located outside the anus, under the skin. They can appear as small, red bumps around the anus. These bumps can be painful, especially when sitting or having a bowel movement. External hemorrhoids can also cause itching, bleeding, and swelling.

There are two types of external hemorrhoids:

Thrombosed hemorrhoids: These are external hemorrhoids that have developed a blood clot. Thrombosed hemorrhoids are usually very painful and can cause swelling, inflammation, and discoloration of the hemorrhoid.
Prolapsed hemorrhoids: These are external hemorrhoids that have protruded, or prolapsed, outside the anus. Prolapsed hemorrhoids can be painful and can also cause bleeding and itching.

External hemorrhoids are a common problem, affecting up to 50% of people at some point in their lives. They are usually not serious, but they can be uncomfortable and painful. There are a number of treatments available for external hemorrhoids, including home remedies, over-the-counter medications, and surgery.

If you have external hemorrhoids, it is important to see a doctor to get a diagnosis and treatment plan. In most cases, external hemorrhoids can be treated with simple home remedies. However, in some cases, surgery may be necessary.

Thrombosed hemorrhoids: Swollen, bluish-purple hemorrhoids with a blood clot inside.

Thrombosed hemorrhoids are external hemorrhoids that have developed a blood clot. They are usually very painful and can cause swelling, inflammation, and discoloration of the hemorrhoid.

Appearance: Thrombosed hemorrhoids appear as swollen, bluish-purple bumps around the anus. They can be small or large, and they may be accompanied by swelling and inflammation of the surrounding tissue.
Pain: Thrombosed hemorrhoids are usually very painful. The pain may be constant or intermittent, and it may worsen with sitting, walking, or having a bowel movement.
Bleeding: Thrombosed hemorrhoids may bleed, especially if they are irritated or prolapsed.
Other symptoms: Thrombosed hemorrhoids can also cause itching, burning, and a feeling of fullness or pressure in the rectum.

Thrombosed hemorrhoids are a common problem, affecting up to 5% of people at some point in their lives. They are more common in people who are pregnant, overweight, or constipated. Thrombosed hemorrhoids usually go away on their own within a few weeks. However, they can be very painful, so it is important to see a doctor if you have one.

Bleeding hemorrhoids: Bright red blood on toilet paper or in the stool.

Bleeding hemorrhoids are a common symptom of hemorrhoids. The blood is usually bright red and may be seen on toilet paper or in the stool. Bleeding hemorrhoids can be caused by a number of things, including straining during a bowel movement, wiping too vigorously, or having hard stools.

Appearance: Bleeding hemorrhoids may appear as small, red bumps around the anus. They may also be visible inside the rectum, especially if they are prolapsed.
Bleeding: Bleeding hemorrhoids can bleed painlessly, especially during a bowel movement. The blood may be bright red or dark red.
Other symptoms: Bleeding hemorrhoids may also cause itching, pain, and a feeling of fullness or pressure in the rectum.
When to see a doctor: It is important to see a doctor if you have bleeding hemorrhoids, especially if the bleeding is heavy or persistent. Bleeding hemorrhoids can be a sign of a more serious condition, such as colon cancer.

Bleeding hemorrhoids are usually not a serious problem. However, it is important to see a doctor to get a diagnosis and treatment plan. In most cases, bleeding hemorrhoids can be treated with simple home remedies. However, in some cases, surgery may be necessary.

Itchy hemorrhoids: Intense itching around the anus.

Itchy hemorrhoids are a common symptom of hemorrhoids. The itching can be mild or severe, and it may be constant or intermittent. Itching hemorrhoids can be caused by a number of things, including:

Irritation from stool or toilet paper: When stool or toilet paper comes into contact with hemorrhoids, it can cause irritation and itching.
Moisture: The area around the anus is naturally moist, which can also contribute to itching.
Inflammation: Hemorrhoids are often inflamed, which can also cause itching.
Infection: Hemorrhoids can become infected, which can also cause itching.

Itchy hemorrhoids can be very uncomfortable and can interfere with daily activities. In some cases, the itching may be so severe that it leads to skin irritation and bleeding.

There are a number of things that can be done to relieve the itching of hemorrhoids, including:

Keep the area clean: Gently clean the area around the anus with warm water and mild soap after each bowel movement.
Use witch hazel: Witch hazel is a natural astringent that can help to soothe and relieve itching.
Apply a cold compress: A cold compress can help to reduce swelling and itching.
Take over-the-counter pain relievers: Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can help to relieve pain and inflammation.

If the itching is severe or does not improve with home treatment, it is important to see a doctor.

Itchy hemorrhoids are usually not a serious problem. However, it is important to see a doctor if the itching is severe or does not improve with home treatment. Itchy hemorrhoids can be a sign of a more serious condition, such as anal fistula or Crohn's disease.

Painful hemorrhoids: Pain when sitting, walking, or having a bowel movement.

Painful hemorrhoids are a common symptom of hemorrhoids. The pain can be mild or severe, and it may be constant or intermittent. Painful hemorrhoids can be caused by a number of things, including:

Inflammation: Hemorrhoids are often inflamed, which can cause pain.
Thrombosis: A blood clot can form in a hemorrhoid, which can cause severe pain.
Prolapse: Hemorrhoids can prolapse, or protrude, outside the anus. This can cause pain, especially when sitting or walking.
Infection: Hemorrhoids can become infected, which can also cause pain.

Painful hemorrhoids can be very uncomfortable and can interfere with daily activities. In some cases, the pain may be so severe that it leads to difficulty sitting, walking, or having a bowel movement.

Protruding hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids that push out of the anus, especially during a bowel movement.

Protruding hemorrhoids, also known as prolapsed hemorrhoids, are hemorrhoids that push out of the anus. This can happen during a bowel movement, or it can happen at other times, such as when sitting or standing. Protruding hemorrhoids can be painful, itchy, and uncomfortable. They can also bleed.

Appearance: Protruding hemorrhoids appear as small, red bumps around the anus. They may be internal or external hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoids protrude inside the rectum, while external hemorrhoids protrude outside the anus.
Symptoms: Protruding hemorrhoids can cause a number of symptoms, including pain, itching, bleeding, and a feeling of fullness or pressure in the rectum. They can also make it difficult to clean the anus after a bowel movement.
Causes: Protruding hemorrhoids are caused by increased pressure on the veins in the anus. This can be caused by a number of things, including straining during a bowel movement, pregnancy, obesity, and lifting heavy objects.
Treatment: There are a number of treatments available for protruding hemorrhoids. These treatments include home remedies, such as applying a cold compress or taking over-the-counter pain relievers, as well as medical treatments, such as surgery.

Protruding hemorrhoids are usually not a serious problem. However, it is important to see a doctor if you have protruding hemorrhoids, especially if they are painful, bleeding, or causing other problems.

Strangulated hemorrhoids: Severe pain, swelling, and discoloration of a hemorrhoid.

Strangulated hemorrhoids are a rare but serious complication of hemorrhoids. They occur when a hemorrhoid is cut off from its blood supply. This can happen if a hemorrhoid prolapses and is then trapped outside the anus. Strangulated hemorrhoids are very painful and can lead to serious health problems if not treated promptly.

Appearance: Strangulated hemorrhoids appear as dark red or purple hemorrhoids. They may be swollen and tender to the touch.
Symptoms: Strangulated hemorrhoids can cause severe pain, swelling, and inflammation. They can also cause bleeding, itching, and a feeling of fullness or pressure in the rectum.
Causes: Strangulated hemorrhoids are caused by a lack of blood flow to a hemorrhoid. This can happen if a hemorrhoid prolapses and is then trapped outside the anus. Strangulated hemorrhoids can also be caused by surgery or other medical procedures.
Treatment: Strangulated hemorrhoids require immediate medical attention. Treatment typically involves surgery to remove the strangulated hemorrhoid.

Strangulated hemorrhoids can lead to serious health problems, such as infection and sepsis. It is important to see a doctor right away if you have a strangulated hemorrhoid.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about hemorrhoids:

Question 1: What are the different types of hemorrhoids?
Answer 1: There are two main types of hemorrhoids: internal and external. Internal hemorrhoids are located inside the anus, while external hemorrhoids are located outside the anus.

Question 2: What are the symptoms of hemorrhoids?
Answer 2: The most common symptoms of hemorrhoids include pain, itching, bleeding, and a feeling of fullness or pressure in the anus. Hemorrhoids can also cause difficulty sitting or walking.

Question 3: What causes hemorrhoids?
Answer 3: Hemorrhoids are caused by increased pressure on the veins in the anus and rectum. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including straining during a bowel movement, pregnancy, obesity, and lifting heavy objects.

Question 4: How are hemorrhoids diagnosed?
Answer 4: Hemorrhoids are typically diagnosed based on a physical examination of the anus and rectum. In some cases, a doctor may also order additional tests, such as a colonoscopy, to rule out other conditions.

Question 5: What are the treatments for hemorrhoids?
Answer 5: There are a variety of treatments available for hemorrhoids, including home remedies, over-the-counter medications, and surgery. The best treatment for hemorrhoids will depend on the severity of your symptoms.

Question 6: When should I see a doctor for hemorrhoids?
Answer 6: You should see a doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms: severe pain, bleeding, or difficulty sitting or walking. You should also see a doctor if your hemorrhoids do not improve with home treatment.

Closing Paragraph:

Hemorrhoids are a common condition that can be very uncomfortable. However, there are a number of treatments available that can help to relieve your symptoms. If you have hemorrhoids, talk to your doctor about the best treatment option for you.

Transition paragraph:

In addition to medical treatment, there are a number of things that you can do at home to help relieve your hemorrhoid symptoms. These include:

Tips

Here are some tips to help relieve hemorrhoid symptoms:

Tip 1: Keep the area clean. Gently clean the area around your anus with warm water and mild soap after each bowel movement. Avoid using harsh soaps or scrubbing the area, as this can irritate hemorrhoids.

Tip 2: Use witch hazel. Witch hazel is a natural astringent that can help to soothe and relieve itching. You can apply witch hazel to your hemorrhoids using a cotton ball or pad.

Tip 3: Apply a cold compress. A cold compress can help to reduce swelling and itching. You can apply a cold compress to your hemorrhoids for 15-20 minutes at a time, several times a day.

Tip 4: Take over-the-counter pain relievers. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can help to relieve pain and inflammation. Be sure to follow the directions on the package.

Closing Paragraph:

These are just a few tips that can help to relieve hemorrhoid symptoms. If your symptoms are severe or do not improve with home treatment, see a doctor.

Transition paragraph:

Conclusion

Hemorrhoids are a common condition that can affect people of all ages. They are usually not serious, but they can be very uncomfortable. There are a number of things that you can do to help relieve hemorrhoid symptoms, including home remedies, over-the-counter medications, and surgery.

Summary of Main Points:

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the anus and rectum.
There are two main types of hemorrhoids: internal and external.
Hemorrhoids can cause a variety of symptoms, including pain, itching, bleeding, and a feeling of fullness or pressure in the anus.
Hemorrhoids are caused by increased pressure on the veins in the anus and rectum.
There are a number of treatments available for hemorrhoids, including home remedies, over-the-counter medications, and surgery.

Closing Message:

If you have hemorrhoids, talk to your doctor about the best treatment option for you. In most cases, hemorrhoids can be treated with simple home remedies. However, in some cases, surgery may be necessary.