What is the difference between perianal abscess and external hemorrhoids?

Perianal abscess and external hemorrhoids are two different anal diseases. The biggest difference is that the former is an acute suppuration caused by infection, while the latter is a mass formed due to venous congestion. If you suspect perianal abscess, it is recommended to seek medical treatment in time to avoid more serious complications.

Perianal abscesses are usually caused by the accumulation of pus due to local infection. Patients will feel severe pain and have inflammatory symptoms such as fever, redness and swelling. External hemorrhoids are formed by venous dilation. Regardless of whether thrombosis occurs, they basically do not cause systemic symptoms, and are generally characterized by local swelling, pain or itching.

For perianal abscess, it may be just a small hard lump in the early stage, but as the infection worsens, the abscess may rupture and even form an anal fistula. External hemorrhoids can appear as soft fleshy masses or hard thrombosed hemorrhoids depending on the severity of the lesion. The causes are mostly long periods of sitting or standing, constipation, etc., and the overall process is relatively slow.

If you feel that the redness, swelling, heat and pain around the anus are getting worse, or if you suspect that there is pus accumulation, you must seek medical treatment in time for surgical treatment. External hemorrhoids can be relieved by warm water sitting baths, improving eating habits and taking local medications. If the thrombosed external hemorrhoids are serious, you can also consider seeing a doctor for removal. In either case, you need to keep the anus clean and hygienic, avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time, and develop good bowel habits to reduce the possibility of recurrence.