What Do Hemorrhoids Look Like

Wondering what do hemorrhoids look like? Chances are that either one of your loved ones or you are suffering from some unpleasant experience at the rear anatomy or that there is some unusual growth felt near the anal area. Or perhaps blood is found after a visit to the toilet, on the toilet paper or in the toilet bowl.

So, what do hemorrhoids look like?

To answer that question lets first be clear what hemorrhoids are. Known variously, hemorrhoids (American English), haemorrhoids (British English), emerods (or hemroids, hemorroid, hemorhoid, hemorroids, hemoroid, hemmoroids, hemeroids, hemmeroids, hemmroids, hemmorhoids, haemoroids, haemorroid, hemorroides) or piles are swelling and inflammation of veins in the rectum and anus.

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Such swellings/inflammation are commonly caused by undue straining during bowel movements, hypertension, obesity, pregnancy, frequent constipation due to lack of fiber in daily diet, and prolonged diarrhea arising from excessive consumption of alcohol or caffeine, etc.

Basically there are 2 types of hemorrhoids: internal and external.

And what do internal hemorrhoids look like?

Internal hemorrhoids occur inside the anus and are commonly graded 1 to 4.

Grade 1 internal hemorrhoids are small swellings inside the lining of the anus. These are very common, not visible and not painful.

Grade 2 internal hemorrhoids are larger than Grade 1 but are still found within the anus. Sometimes these could be pushed out as stools are passed out but will retract inside the anus immediately after.

Grade 3 internal hemorrhoids are found outside the anus and are known as prolapsed hemorrhoids. In some cases these can be pushed back into the anus with our fingers.

Grade 4 internal hemorrhoids remain outside the anus and cannot be pushed back inside. This engorged vein/veins look like a piece of very soft tissue that has fallen outside the anus. They are normally light red in color, hang outside the anus, are very painful and need to be treated by a doctor.

What do external hemorrhoids look like, then?

As the term suggest, these swollen veins are on the outside of the anus instead of on the inside. They are usually found close to the rim of the anus as lumps and are generally brownish in color.

What do hemorrhoids look like – thrombosed & prolapsed

If these hemorrhoids, internal or external, should become thrombosed, you will find them looking dark red or purple/blue in color. Thrombosed hemorrhoids are those which have blood clots inside, and are extremely painful for the sufferer.

So if you suspect that you have hemorrhoids due to one or more symptoms, use a mirror to look at the anal area to have an idea what do hemorrhoids look like?

If you find small grape-like looking lumps coming out of the anus and are light red in color, these are probably ordinary prolapsed (i.e. falling out of place) internal hemorrhoids. You may try to gently but firmly push them back in.

If you find brownish bumps or lumps developing on part of the rim, they are most likely external hemorrhoids.

However if these lumps, whether due to internal or external hemorrhoids, are dark red or purplish/bluish looking, chances are they are already thrombosed. The great pain and discomfort you experience would certainly serve to confirm this visual observation.

What should you do?

Knowing what do hemorrhoids look like, what should you now do?

If the hemorrhoids are in early stages and are not thrombosed, you may wish to try some home remedies or natural remedies. Avoid straining when clearing your bowels; prevent and manage constipation through watching your daily diet; practise good toilet hygiene; use warm baths to soothe the anal area; and apply over-the-counter anaesthetic creams to calm the hemorrhoids.

For more serious cases like thrombosed hemorrhoids, professional medical help is highly recommended. The doctor may suggest surgical means, such as rubber band ligation and hemorrhoidectomy as the best way to treat the problem.