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Treatment of external hemorrhoids

Medical expert of the article

Proctologist, colorectal surgeon
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025

Hemorrhoids do not discriminate between genders or ages. This unpleasant disease has even become a household name in modern slang. You can often hear the expression "Why do I need these hemorrhoids?" (meaning the problem) among young people. This is true. Discomfort, a feeling of distension in the anus, pain of varying intensity significantly spoil the quality of life and, if ignored, threaten even greater troubles. A distinction is made between internal (submucous) and external (subcutaneous) hemorrhoids. These definitions correspond to the localization of hemorrhoidal nodes. Among such pathologies, external hemorrhoids account for more than a third of cases and undoubtedly require treatment.

External hemorrhoids are treated with ointments and suppositories. What components should they contain? To get rid of the problem, medications can have a mono or complex effect, including:

  • anti-inflammatory;
  • pain reliever (proctoglivenol);
  • antibacterial (posterisan, levomekol);
  • venotonic (proxevasin).

In the treatment of external thrombosed hemorrhoids, anticoagulants (heparin ointment) are used to prevent the formation of blood clots. In case of bleeding, hemostatics (relief) are prescribed, the mechanism of action of which is aimed at slowing down blood clotting.

Treatment of inflammation of external hemorrhoids is carried out using steroid and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Aurobin, Proctozan).

The treatment regimen should be determined by a proctologist. [ 1 ]

First aid for external hemorrhoids

Actions in providing first aid depend on the symptoms. Acute pain is relieved by applying ice to the anus, taking painkillers. Emptying the intestines with a cleansing enema, which includes decoctions of medicinal herbs and vegetable oils, can help.

For anal fissures, you can use rectal suppositories with novocaine; if you don’t have them, apply a well-washed leaf of plantain, Kalanchoe, or a cut of aloe leaves.

Bleeding is stopped by applying lotions of calendula, oak bark, and nettle decoctions. It is also good to take a Vikasol tablet, which will stop any bleeding.

Severe itching in the anal area can be relieved with warm baths containing herbs, or you can use baking soda. [ 2 ]

Treatment methods for external hemorrhoids

There are several treatment options for external hemorrhoids, including:

  • conservative, using a comprehensive approach, including local medications, folk remedies, a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition; [ 3 ]
  • minimally invasive surgery - photocoagulation using a beam of infrared rays (effective at stages 1-2 of the disease); sclerotherapy (a special substance is injected into the nodal lumen, as a result of which the walls of the hemorrhoidal node stick together, blood stops flowing and it dies); ligation with latex rings (the node is placed in a hollow tip and a ring is put on it);
  • surgical - thrombectomy is used when signs of tissue necrosis appear, an abscess develops. After anesthesia, an incision is made in the node and the thrombus is removed.

How many days does external hemorrhoids take to heal? Symptoms of the disease disappear on average after 7-10 days. [ 4 ]

Conservative treatment of external hemorrhoids

Conservative treatment of external hemorrhoids is possible at home. In addition to ointments, gels, suppositories, painkillers, folk remedies are successfully used. You can use the recipes below.

  • Baths for external hemorrhoids - there are several options for the procedure. The most popular are warm, with a temperature close to the body's condition, with the use of medicinal decoctions, potassium permanganate. They relax well, relieve itching, reduce pain, disinfect and heal cracks, strengthen blood vessels.

A hotter bath, but not higher than 40ºС will be useful for mild forms of chronic pathology in the remission stage. There are also steam and smoke baths, but they are rarely used due to the complexity of their organization.

A cold bath (using boiled water up to 20º) will help in the acute stage of the disease, stop bleeding, and enhance blood microcirculation;

  • Lotions for external hemorrhoids are a kind of compress that relieve acute symptoms of the disease: pain subsides, swelling decreases, skin elasticity increases, burning and itching go away. It is not superfluous to do them during remission to prevent the formation of nodes. Gauze or bandage is used as a material, and it is moistened in a pre-prepared solution, for which medicinal infusions are taken.
  • Treatment of external hemorrhoids with ice - in this case, the effect of blocking the sensitivity of nerve endings is triggered, freezing occurs, the pain stops. Cold also stops bleeding if the node has burst, since the vessels and veins narrow, and the blood flow to the pelvis decreases.

How do you use cold? It is best to make candles using paper cones, pour herbal decoctions into them and freeze them. After taking them out of the freezer, put them in the anus for a couple of minutes. You can also use an ice cube for wiping, wrapped in a cloth.

  • Treatment of external hemorrhoids with honey - bee product has an excellent softening, healing, disinfecting effect. It should be used as an ointment, lubricating the affected area at night. You can form candles from thick candied and freeze them, put them before bedtime after washing and thoroughly drying the anus. Adding butter will enhance the therapeutic effect of the suppository.
  • Treating external hemorrhoids with potatoes is a tried and tested remedy. Cut a cone 3-4 cm long and 1.5 cm in diameter at the base from a peeled potato. Put it on after defecation. Starch has an analgesic effect, relieves itching and inflammation. The vitamins present in it (C, B, E strengthen blood vessels, regenerate damaged tissues), silicon and ascorbic acid have an antibacterial effect.
  • Treatment with sea buckthorn oil – the berries of this plant are a unique product in terms of their medicinal properties. Its rich chemical composition allows it to be used in various areas of medicine, including the treatment of hemorrhoids, since it increases the elasticity of blood vessels, promotes cell regeneration, prevents the formation of blood clots, and strengthens the immune system.

The most useful are raw berries, from which you can extract juice yourself, add vegetable oil, let it sit for a week in a warm place, and then apply. But not everyone has a sea buckthorn bush at hand and the desire to mess around. It is best to buy it at a pharmacy and lubricate the problem area several times a day. It is even better to use ready-made candles with sea buckthorn.

  • Aloe for external hemorrhoids - its other name is "century plant" and several decades ago it was considered a universal folk remedy that can help in the treatment of many diseases. It is really classified as a biogenic stimulant. It also has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial properties, heals quickly, increases local immunity, and relieves pain.

The juice from the plant is easy to obtain. Cut leaves are washed, dried, crushed and the liquid is squeezed out. It is used for lotions and compresses. The jelly-like inside of the leaves is used in candles and ointments.

  • Enema for external hemorrhoids is a common method of its treatment, especially microclysters. With the help of this procedure, irritation, inflammation, swelling are removed, and the mucous membranes are disinfected.

For the composition of enemas for hemorrhoids, decoctions of medicinal herbs, oil solutions, vitamin complexes, starchy mixtures are used. No more than 50 ml is administered at a time, and a pear is selected accordingly to this volume. The liquid should be warm. You can make it yourself at home and in a lying position. [ 5 ]

Treatment of external hemorrhoids in women

Therapy for external hemorrhoids in women depends on the stage of the disease (there are four in total), is most often conservative and includes a comprehensive approach (diet, use of external and internal medications, traditional medicine recipes).

Surgical intervention is rarely resorted to, only if previous methods have failed to produce results.

The disease often affects women during pregnancy. Hormonal changes, pressure from the uterus on the pelvic organs, and decreased mobility contribute to this. Treatment should not be left until the postpartum period, but some procedures, such as baths, should be abandoned, and ointments and suppositories should be selected more carefully, choosing those that have no contraindications for such patients (suppositories with sea buckthorn, posterisan, natalsid).

Exacerbations occur no less often after childbirth, because the woman had to carry a heavy load for half of the term and also push during childbirth. Breastfeeding should not be an obstacle to treatment, but not all drugs are suitable, despite local use.

There is a vascular ring in the anal sphincter area, so medications applied to it quickly enter the bloodstream. Treatment should be prescribed by a doctor, taking into account the woman's "status." [ 6 ]

Treatment of external hemorrhoids in men

According to statistics, hemorrhoids affect men more often than women. This is facilitated by a sedentary lifestyle (driving a car, at the computer), frequent constipation from hearty, meaty food, alcohol consumption, lifting weights (specifics of work, gyms or weightlifting), diseases of the bladder and prostate gland.

If symptoms such as pain during sitting and walking, bowel movements, heaviness, a feeling of distension in the anal area appear, you should consult a proctologist. Timely treatment at early stages is more effective, has fewer consequences and is no different from the treatment of women. The only difference is that it is more difficult to get men to go to the doctor and they have to treat a more complicated pathology.

Folk remedies

Above, we have already given recipes of traditional medicine used for the treatment of external hemorrhoids. It is time to name the herbs that should be used to prepare healing potions.

Calendula, chamomile, St. John's wort, sage, and raspberry leaves will help reduce the symptoms of the inflammatory process of hemorrhoids and reduce the intensity of pain.

Tincture of horse chestnut, rosehip and hazel decoctions taken internally will increase the tone of blood vessels.

Decoctions of nettle, cucumber shoots, and beetroot juice can help stop bleeding.

Homeopathy

Among homeopathic preparations, one of the most widely used for uncomplicated hemorrhoids is Fleming's ointment. A complex remedy containing extracts of calendula, witch hazel, horse chestnut, zinc oxide, and menthol. It is applied to the affected area three times a day with a cotton swab. It is recommended for use from 2 years of age.

Other preparations can also be used, which include sulfuric, nitrous, hydrochloric acid; minerals: antimony, arsenic; snake venom; plants other than those mentioned: flax, peony, thistle, etc.

Orally take aesculus compositum, carbo vegetabilis, witch hazel, nux vomica. The dosage is determined by the homeopath. On average, the recommended dose for drops is 10 drops three times a day a quarter of an hour before meals, granules - 8 pcs. under the tongue 3-4 times.

Vitamins

They are necessary to boost immunity and strengthen blood vessels. The list includes vitamins C, E, A, B, K, PP. When choosing food products, you need to focus on their presence. Vitamin and mineral complexes will also help saturate the body.

Diet and nutrition for external hemorrhoids

External hemorrhoids do not require a strict diet, but certain nutritional rules should still be followed. What should not be eaten with external hemorrhoids? Spicy, salty, smoked, alcohol, and fast carbohydrates are prohibited. The menu should be dominated by raw vegetables, fruits, dietary dishes, lean meat and fish, cereals other than rice, fermented milk and dairy products, and bran bread. A plentiful drinking regimen is also required.

Colonoscopy for external hemorrhoids

At the initial stages of hemorrhoids, the clinical picture of the disease may not be clearly expressed and require clarification. Unpleasant symptoms sometimes indicate the presence of neoplasms, Crohn's disease, colitis, etc.

For this purpose, a colonoscopy is used – a procedure that involves a tube with optics and a light bulb at the end to examine the condition of the colon. It requires preparation in the form of cleansing the intestines, into which air is then pumped. If there is pain, local anesthesia is used. [ 7 ]

External hemorrhoid massage

Massage is used to eliminate venous congestion in the lower rectum. Before the procedure, the bladder and intestines are emptied, and the knee-elbow position is adopted. If there are cracks in the walls of the rectum, a suppository with belladonna is first inserted.

The specialist puts on gloves and inserts the index finger into the anus. Stroking and pressing movements are made, the external nodes are tucked inside. Such techniques are repeated 3-4 times. Then the massage is continued with a vibrator, and finished with physical exercises.


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