What is external hemorrhoids and how to properly treat them at home?

2023 Author: Alfred Shackley | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 13:14

Hemorrhoids are the most common rectal disease that can be diagnosed in men and women of different ages and social status. This ailment proceeds in different forms and always gives patients a lot of uncomfortable and painful sensations.

The patient's quality of life is especially noticeable when the external type of pathology affects him.

How does external hemorrhoids appear and look?

The most important sign of the external, or external, form of this ailment looks like bumps in the anus. They can be of various sizes, but you can always feel them with your fingers.

All other symptoms of the disease can be roughly divided into several stages:

1. Initially, severe itching occurs in the anal area, which causes significant discomfort. If the patient begins to scratch the skin at the site of the lesion, irritation occurs very quickly;
2. Blood marks are starting to appear on the toilet paper. Bloody discharge does not have high intensity for a long time, however, if the bumps greatly increase in size, bleeding necessarily occurs every time they are injured;
3. If the nodes become inflamed and swollen, pain occurs during bowel movements, but this symptom can only be noticed during an exacerbation of the disease.

The causes of external hemorrhoids

The only reason that can provoke this disease is the weakness of the venous wall. In the vast majority of cases, a person has this feature from birth. However, for this reason alone, the nodes do not bulge, and hemorrhoids do not occur.

For this to happen, the influence of one or more factors from the following list is necessary:

• Sedentary lifestyle, sedentary or standing work, lack of exercise;
• Prolonged constipation and excessive straining during bowel movements;
• Excessive physical activity during work, lifting weights, engaging in power sports;
• Eating a large number of meat dishes, as well as alcoholic beverages;
• Pregnancy.

During pregnancy, the external hemorrhoids of the veins of the pelvic region and perineum are overflowing with blood, as a result of which the venous wall stretches and protrudes. If a person has a congenital weakness in this part of the body, bumps can form, both outside and inside. The development of the disease proceeds in a similar way in the presence of other aggravating factors.

How to properly treat external hemorrhoids with medication?

Treatment of the external form of hemorrhoids, first of all, should be aimed at eliminating the inflammatory process in the node and the associated pain. As a rule, for this purpose, special antihemorrhoidal drugs are used in the form of ointments or suppositories.

Almost all modern medicines with which this disease can be treated have several active components in their composition at once, in particular:

1. Hormonal ingredients with antipruritic, anti-inflammatory and anti-edema effect;
2. Anesthetic components for pain relief;
3. Substances, the action of which is aimed at thinning the blood. They prevent the development of thrombosis or dissolve previously formed clots. Most often, heparin acts as this component;
4. Finally, some products also include wound-healing or antibacterial ingredients.

Most patients agree that it is much more convenient to use an ointment to get rid of external hemorrhoids, since it is easier to apply it directly to the inflamed nodes. Most often in this category of drugs, the well-known "Heparin" ointment is chosen, as well as drugs such as "Proctosan", "Bezornil" and "Proctosedin". However, there are suppositories that effectively and quickly get rid of external hemorrhoids. These are funds that have the names "Relief", "Anuzol", "Olestezin" and others.

Treatment of hemorrhoids using traditional pharmaceutical preparations usually takes no more than one to two weeks. However, all ointments and suppositories have different properties and varying degrees of effectiveness, so some patients have to try several remedies before choosing the right one for themselves. In addition, it should be borne in mind that not all medicines are approved for use during pregnancy, therefore, before using them, you should carefully read the instructions.

Treatment of external hemorrhoids with folk remedies at home

Despite the fact that most modern medicines quickly and effectively relieve the unpleasant symptoms of external hemorrhoids and can be easily used at home, some people still prefer traditional medicine.

Treatment of hemorrhoids with a variety of folk remedies is also very effective in some cases, however, they are usually less convenient to use.

At home, you can use one of the following popular methods:

• Place the medicinal plant tansy in a dry or fresh state in a water bath and heat until steam is obtained. Direct hot air directly to the affected skin and stand as long as possible;
• Pour 2 liters of clean water into a large saucepan, put on fire and bring to a boil. Pour as much yarrow, hop cones, or walnut leaves and twigs directly into the boiling water. Leave the saucepan over low heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes. After cooking, remove the broth from the heat, pour it into a basin and sit down in it. Remain in this position until the medicine has cooled down. Repeat this procedure for 3 days, and there will be no trace of your problem;
• The flowers of the mullein plant, fresh or dried, can be brewed and drunk instead of tea. This measure allows you to effectively get rid of hemorrhoids, and especially its external form, in a short time;
• Take 30-40 grams of dry chopped nettle, pour a glass of boiling water, cover and leave for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally. After the required time has elapsed, the prepared infusion should be filtered and drunk 2 tablespoons in the morning, afternoon and evening;
• Finally, another simple and effective folk remedy for treating this ailment is dogwood berries. Eat them, chewing slowly and thoroughly, 30-40 minutes before each meal, and after 2-3 weeks the disease will finally disappear and will never bother you again.

In any case, do not get too carried away with self-medication with folk methods and traditional medicines.

If hemorrhoids do not go away for a long time, consult a doctor, because the advanced stage of this ailment can provoke serious complications and significantly worsen the quality of your life.