Thrombosed External Hemorrhoid Treatment – Your Choices

Thrombosed external hemorrhoid treatment can be as varied as the cases that are presented.  What is an external thrombosed hemorrhoid? Thrombosed hemorrhoids are among the most severe forms of hemorrhoids. A thrombosed hemorrhoid is a hemorrhoid in which the vein has clotted. External hemorrhoids are those found on the outside of the anus.  Thrombosed hemorrhoids are usually quite painful.  An external thrombosed hemorrhoid generally develops over time. Treating hemorrhoids early can help prevent the development of more serious conditions such as an external thrombosed hemorrhoid.

You may also hear a thrombosed external hemorrhoid occasionally referred to as a hemorrhoid skin tag. They can vary in size from being very small (the size of a pea) through to being as large as a golf ball in the most extreme cases.

A number of factors may lead to the formations of hemorrhoids including irregular bowel habits (constipation or diarrhea), exercise, nutrition (low-fiber diet), increased intra-abdominal pressure (prolonged straining), pregnancy, genetics, absence of valves within the hemorrhoidal veins, and aging.

Other factors that can increase the rectal vein pressure resulting in hemorrhoids include obesity and sitting for long periods of time.

During pregnancy, pressure from the fetus on the abdomen and hormonal changes cause the hemorrhoidal vessels to enlarge. Delivery also leads to increased intra-abdominal pressures. Surgical treatment is rarely needed, as symptoms usually resolve post delivery.

External hemorrhoids can be treated with over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams. These medications help to shrink hemorrhoids and also relieve the itching, burning sensations, and pain associated with hemorrhoids. Using these treatments as soon as you notice symptoms of hemorrhoids can help prevent the development of an external thrombosed hemorrhoid.

If you decide to go with surgery (which is only recommended as a last resort) there are numerous options available to you, some of them include:

• Band ligation – a rubber band is tied around the base of the hemorrhoid, this causes the hemorrhoid to dry up as no blood can get to it. It eventually disappears altogether.
• Hemorrhoidectomy – generally a last resort for hemorrhoid removal, this painful surgery fully removes the thrombosed hemorrhoid but you may require several weeks or more to recover fully.
• Sclerotherapy – the infected area is injected with a shrinking agent. The hemorrhoid eventually disappears.