Topic: Need HELP - External Hemorrhoid

Alright – I am in disbelief.  Let me first start with a quick introductory about myself.  I am a healthy young (20s) 5’5” 115 lbs female, who eats very healthy 90% of the time (plenty of fiber), and recently hired a personal trainer to help push me to get fit (not loose weight). 

I am a super clean freak when it comes to passing stool.  If at home, I clean that area as soon as I am done with soap and water, when outside, I use wipes.  For the last year, I have notice that it seems that that area never seems to clean to my satisfaction, and I do tend to wipe slightly hard to clean that area (moist wipes) when I am not home.  A few times there were streaks of little blood, but again, never thought more about it.

About 4 weeks ago, I started to have a slight burning itch around the anus area, so I thought it was from the new wipes that I had purchased around that time, I used some anti-itch cream, and changed the wipes, and it went away after a week.  Then about 3 weeks ago, I notice that I had a bump around my anus area, and didn’t really think much about it (even though I had the though that it might be hemorrhoid), I notice it was there by not touching the area, but it wasn’t enough to freak me out, nor bothering me in any way.  Of course I was worried at first, but it just went away (or at least not noticeable) after a few days. 

3 days ago, it came back – and this time my red flags have gone up, and I have become really worried about it.  It doesn’t itch, nor hurt, just a pea size hard bump on the outside rim area of my anus.  This time I told my husband, and he examined it for me (believe me, this was hard and embarrassing).  We then decided to go to urgent care to have it checked out since it was the weekend.  The doctor said it was an external hemorrhoid after a visual exam.  The doctor didn’t seem to enthusiastic about providing me any treatments, and told me there was nothing that I can really do.

I went home to search more about hemorrhoids and came across this fairly new site to seek for help and more information to educate myself, and so here I am seeking for advice on if this will go away with proper prevention and care???  It’s now day 3, and the hemorrhoid has definitely shrunk, still there though .  Is there any hope that this will go away, at least visually???  It looks so horrible, even though it’s so small – HELP!!!

  • dugu
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Re: Need HELP - External Hemorrhoid

Hi SweetGal, welcome to our forums.
From what I understand, you are young and fit. Usually, external hemroids don't appear at your age, considering your numbers.
I must ask a few questions. What do you do for living? Do you have a job that requires you to stay for long amounts of time on chair? Do you have the nasty habit of sitting long periods of time on WC? And last but not least, the anal sex question.
If your answer is yes on one of the above, you first have to concentrate on prevention, by eliminating the cause.
From what I understood, your hemroid is still very small. Don't worry, if you eat well and with proper care, it can disappear.  One more thing: when washing our wiping you anus area, pay special attention. Be careful not to overdo things, that area is very sensitive.
If you really feel that you need some medication (although, at this point, I would advice you not to take any), you can check our hemroids treatment page. I would also advice you to have a complete medical exam, you may have problems with your blood pressure or lack some vitamins.

Re: Need HELP - External Hemorrhoid

Thanks for the response Dugu.

I do have a desk job, but it doesn’t require me to sit for long periods of time, and since I drink lots of water (32oz+) a day, it forces me to frequent the restroom.  I don’t have a nasty habit of sitting long periods of time on WC.  However, due to hormonal issues, I usually suffer from constipation around premenstrual, despite the fact that I eat plenty of fiber everyday, and therefore strain from time to time (before I educated myself about hemorrhoids – which is fairly recent).  Also, I have had anal sex in the past, but not frequent and not recently (and this will definitely come to an end now).

I am doing everything I can as far as “prevention” is concerned.  I have increased my fiber intake even though I already eat plenty of fibrous food.  I no longer strain myself on the toilet, and have educated myself on all related preventions as far as this is concerned.  Now I have to admit that since I am such a clean freak, that if I am not home, I do tend to over wipe my anus area as much as it takes to clean that area, and sometimes that means that it might be a little harsh.  Also, I do notice that most wipes that have fragrance in them are not good for that area, so I have since changed to feminine hygiene wipes – but ever since my episode, I have been super gentle, and basically just lightly wipe it with moist wipes once.  At home I don’t have that problem, because I just rinse that area with soap and water.

I’ll take your advice on doing a complete physical exam, since I haven’t had one yet.  I do know that my blood pressure is on the higher side (130/80), but every time I ask the doctors or nurses, they all say that it’s normal.  As for vitamins – really doubt it, since I eat really healthy, and try to eat a variety of healthy food, along with additional supplements that I take almost every day.

For some reason, I still don’t know if I trust the doctor who said it’s an “external hemorrhoid”, since it was just a visual exam with no additional exams done, but this morning when I checked, it has shrunk, and it does kinda appear to be on the side (even though it seemed as if it was coming though my anus) – it’s still slightly bumpy, and seems as if there’s some skin tags – yikes, I really just want this to disappear.

  • dugu
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Re: Need HELP - External Hemorrhoid

Well, it's really good that you are focusing on prevention. One more question, do you have kids? Pregnant women are predisposed to hemorrhoids.
I can give you an advice, if you don't mind. Try to use simple dry white toilet paper instead of wet wipes with doubtable chemical ingredients. Also, instead of washing after every stool, leave this operation for your daily shower. When showering, use a neural PH soap for your skin elasticity.
Also, it's always very good to have a second opinion if you have that possibility. I'm not saying that the doctor is wrong, but  having a second look by other specialist may bring more peace to you. Don't panic, early hemorrhoids go away easily if treated properly and from what I read, you are doing that.