Our bodies are quite intricate. However, they are very vulnerable. These health issues that plague us can be treated effectively; but while they last, the pain and misery caused can be excruciating. One such agent of misery is hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the lowest part of the rectum and anus. When the walls of these veins stretch, the veins swell, and this can irritate, especially when the person goes to the loo. Hemorrhoids are further classified into internal hemorrhoids and external hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoids are less painful. External hemorrhoids can give us a very painful experience. They are present under the skin around the anus where there are more pain-sensing nerves.

External hemorrhoids can cause great hindrance to the daily activities such as passing motions and sitting. The main cause of external hemorrhoids is the repeated straining while having a bowel movement. Straining puts a lot of pressure on the arteries and gets in the way of blood flow in and out of the area. This can result in enlargement of blood vessels in that area.

External hemorrhoids don’t just occur out of thin air; you can detect whether you are suffering from it if you show the following symptoms:

• The person starts experiencing discomfort while sitting, or during a bowel movement. It would be followed by itching or pain around the anus.
• There would be blood spots in the toilet bowl when the person goes to the bathroom.
• Moist, pink bumps would start appearing around the edge of the anus. At times, they can even bulge if they get swollen.

Though external hemorrhoids might appear to be quite serious, various external hemorrhoids treatments would cure it, if you decide to opt for it.

Here are some of the popular external hemorrhoids treatment methods, that are quite effective.

• Rubber band litigation – According to this procedure, the doctor would use a special tool and put a rubber band around the external hemorrhoid. This would result in the complete shutdown of blood supply. The hemorrhoid would dry up within a week; and would shrink, falling off ultimately.
• Cauterization- In this external hemorrhoid treatment, the doctor would use an electric probe, a laser beam, or infrared light, to make a little burn to remove the tissue and seal the end of hemorrhoid. The hemorrhoid will close and shrink.
• Surgery- External hemorrhoids that cause excruciating pain or are large are removed surgically. The doctor can perform the traditional hemorrhoidectomy, or use the modern staple technique. Though external hemorrhoids are rarely this serious, when it becomes too painful, it is advisable to go in for surgery.
• Epsom Salts- The pain and itching are what makes external hemorrhoids unbearable. To relieve oneself from the pain, you can take warm baths with Epsom salt. Epsom salts are known to act as a soothing agent and help in reducing the inflammation. Soak the body in the bathtub for around 15 to 20 minutes before going to the washroom. The heat would soften the hemorrhoids, and the Epsom salts would help reduce the inflammation. This would ensure that the person won’t experience excruciating pain during the bowel movement.
• Cold Compress- Cold compress works wonders on swellings and helps in reducing pain. External hemorrhoids are swollen veins that can be quite painful as well. So, put on an ice pack where it hurts the most. The pain would become numb, and slowly the pain subsides.
• Cotton Garments- Our undergarments are as important as our other clothes. If someone has external hemorrhoids, it is advisable to wear cotton underpants. Cotton soaks the sweat and would let your skin ‘breathe.’ Synthetic materials cause rashes, and can worsen the situation. Thus, cotton would be the perfect choice in such scenarios.
• Witch Hazel – Witch Hazel has been credited with reducing the impact of external hemorrhoids considerably. It acts upon the hemorrhoids and reduces the pain and the itching dramatically. Since it is available in a liquid form, one can apply it directly to the hemorrhoids.
• Stool Softeners- External hemorrhoids affect one the most during a bowel movement. In such cases, the person can opt for stool softeners as well. This would ensure that the person can pass motion without experiencing pain.
• High Fiber Diet – to get rid of external hemorrhoids, in the long run, make amends to the diet and include a high-fiber food. The fiber improves the digestion and makes the process of passing stool a painless one.
• Aloe Vera – Aloe Vera is known for its medicinal properties. It is known to reduce inflammation and irritation instantly. All you have to do is extract the gel, and apply the gel to the affected area.

So, now that you are aware of the various external hemorrhoid treatments, you don’t have to panic if you are diagnosed with external hemorrhoids.