|
Treatment Of Thrombosed External
Hemorrhoids
You have a thrombosed external hemorrhoid. This is a hemorrhoid with
a blood clot that can be seen and felt under the skin around your anus.
It is usually moderately to severely painful. These hemorrhoids often
occur with chronic constipation, diarrhea, or pregnancy, but they can
also appear on their own.
Treatment
Today the doctor cut off the skin over the clot and removed the clotted
hemorrhoid. You have not had a complete hemorrhoidectomy. The wound was
either left open or closed with absorbable suture. If absorbable suture
was used, this stitch will fall out on its own. The doctor put a dressing
over the wound to soak up any blood or discharge.
Back to Top
After Treatment
Symptoms and Care
You will have pain after the local anesthetic wears off. It may be moderately
strong. Your doctor will prescribe something to relieve it. You may also
take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®, for example).
Do not take aspirin or products containing aspirin for at least seven
days as they promote bleeding. Topical anesthetic ointments available
over the counter such as Americaine®, Xylocaine®, Analpram®, Nupercainal®,
and Anusol-HC®) will also help with the pain.
A small amount of bleeding is normal. Leave the dressing in place for
12 to 24 hours; then take your first sitz bath. If the dressing is difficult
or painful to remove, do it after soaking in the bath. If the wound is
still bleeding, cover it with a pad or gauze.
It takes two to four weeks for the wound to heal. Don't worry if some
bleeding, discharge, pus, or itching occur during this time; they are
part of the normal healing process.
Anal hygiene is important. Wash or sit in the tub after bowel movements
or at least twice a day.
You may have been asked to return to the office in 7 to 14 days for
a wound check. Your doctor will let you know if this is necessary and
if you need further treatment or tests.
Diet
It is important to keep your bowel movements soft and regular. Eat foods
high in fiber and drink lots of water (6-8 glasses a day). If you are
constipated, take a fiber supplement (for example, Metamucil® or Konsyl®).
Prune juice or small doses of milk of magnesia may also be used.
Activity
Avoid strenuous activity for the rest of the day. Tomorrow you can go
back to your normal activities.
Back to Top
Causes For Concern
Call your doctor if you have any of the following problems:
- Excessive pain unrelieved by your pain medication
- Increasing pain several days after treatment
- Fever or chills
- Difficulty urinating
- Severe bleeding that won't stop with direct pressure using Kleenex
or gauze
- Severe constipation (no bowel movement for three days)
- Diarrhea (more than three watery bowel movements within 24 hours)
- Nausea and vomiting
If your doctor is unavailable, the on-call doctor is available 24 hours
a day, every day of the year. After hours, call any of our offices and
the answering service will locate one of our doctors on call. In an emergency
try to contact us for advice before you go to the hospital. A telephone
call may save you a lot of time, discomfort, and expense.
|
