Thrombosed hemorrhoids

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Thrombosed hemorrhoids

A thrombosed hemorrhoid is a condition in which a blood clot forms inside a swollen vein in the anus.

External hemorrhoids form outside the anus. This type of hemorrhoid is more likely to develop a blood clot than an internal hemorrhoid, which develops within the anal canal.

Symptoms of a thrombosed hemorrhoid include:

A very painful lump of soft tissue outside the anus. It may feel like a small, very tender pebble near the anus.
Bright red blood on the toilet paper or on the stool.
Constant pain that is made worse by passing hard stool.

Thrombosed hemorrhoids affect only the small veins near the skin surface (superficial veins). Unlike blood clots in the deep veins, blood clots in thrombosed hemorrhoids do not travel to the lungs or another part of the body and do not cause serious problems.

Home treatment may help relieve the symptoms of thrombosed hemorrhoids. Minor surgery is sometimes needed to remove a painful clot.

Credits

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Author	Monica Rhodes
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Brent Shoji, MD - General Surgery
Last Updated	September 29, 2008

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Last updated:	September 29, 2008
Author:	Monica Rhodes
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Brent Shoji, MD - General Surgery
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC

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