The blood clot blocks blood flow, causing painful symptoms.
Most thrombosed hemorrhoids are external, but they can also be internal.
External hemorrhoids form in the tissue outside the anus, while internal hemorrhoids are inside.
Verywell / Brooke Pelczynski
In females, pregnancy and childbirth are additional causes.
Any hemorrhoid can become thrombosed.
Thrombosed hemorrhoids are also known as acute hemorrhoidal disease orperianal thrombosis.
Perianal is a general term for the area around the anus.
Thrombosed hemorrhoids may appear as a single lump or a circle of lumps.
In most cases, theblood clotis reabsorbed by the body and the symptoms go away.
Thrombosed hemorrhoids are not considered dangerous, but they can be very painful.
If symptoms do not go away, there are multiple treatment options ranging from topical creams to surgery.
This article discusses the causes, symptoms, and treatment for thrombosed hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoid Causes
Hemorrhoids form when the blood vessels that line your anal canal become swollen.
Most of the time, hemorrhoids are painless.
When they become thrombosed, though, they can be painful.
A hemorrhoid is due to increased pressure on the veins in your rectum.
Healthcare providers don’t know why some people develop blood clots in their hemorrhoids and others don’t.
The blood clot inside will make it appear dark and bluish in color.
A thrombosed hemorrhoid looks different than other hemorrhoids.
An external hemorrhoid that is not thrombosed will just look like a rubbery lump without the blue color.
After that time, the blood clot will be slowly reabsorbed.
When this happens, the pain will start to go away.
If over-the-counter topical hemorrhoid medications don’t relieve your pain, you may have a thrombosed hemorrhoid.
This is because the pain is not on the surface.
Instead, it comes from pressure and swelling within the tissue.
If you have a fever with a thrombosed hemorrhoid, see a healthcare provider.
The hemorrhoid may be infected, which can cause aperianal abscess.
This is a painful pocket of pus that forms in the top tissue layer around your anus.
Never ignore rectal bleeding or assume that it is related to hemorrhoids.
It could be a sign of something serious, like anal cancer orcolorectal cancer.
See your healthcare provider if you have rectal bleeding.
Look for a boil-like lump that may be red and feel warm.
See a healthcare provider if you suspect a perianal abscess.
It should be drained as soon as possible.
An untreated perianal abscess can lead to ananal fistula.
This is an abnormal connection between the skin and the anus.
A fistula may require surgery to correct.
Recap
Most of the time, thrombosed hemorrhoids go away on their own.
you might treat the symptoms with self care.
Sitz baths, a high-fiber diet, and topical ointments can help.
Avoid straining when using the toilet.
A simple surgical procedure may be needed if pain is severe or other treatments don’t work.
Treatment for Thrombosed Hemorrhoids
Most thrombosed hemorrhoids will get better on their own.
It may take two to three weeks for them to disappear completely.
In the meantime, there are options for self-care.
In extreme cases, you may want to consider surgery.
Topical treatments like ointments and creams could help.
AneCream (lidocaine) ointment is an over-the-counter treatment commonly used for hemorrhoids.
Newer drugs such as topical Adalat CC (nifedipine) may be more effective treatments.
Some studies suggest that nifedipine may help symptoms resolve faster than lidocaine.
Surgery
If treatments don’t help, your healthcare provider may suggest surgery.
Surgery for a thrombosed hemorrhoid can usually be done in a healthcare provider’s office.
It is considered safe and doesn’t usually lead to complications, or new problems sparked by the surgery.
Surgery may also keep the thrombosed hemorrhoid from coming back.
Patients are typically satisfied with the results.
Summary
Hemorrhoids are triggered by increased pressure on the veins in your rectum.
They can become thrombosed if a blood clot forms inside.
Thrombosed hemorrhoids can be painful.They may also bleedand itch.
Most of the time, thrombosed hemorrhoids go away on their own.
You should start to feel better in a couple of days.
If your thrombosed hemorrhoid does not seem to be improving, see your healthcare provider.
A healthcare provider can help you find a successful treatment.
If the hemorrhoid fills with too much blood it can burst.
This usually isnt serious, but it leads to bleeding and may cause severe pain that requires treatment.
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