Is there a difference between external hemorrhoids and perianal abscesses?

There are obvious differences between external hemorrhoids and perianal abscesses, mainly in terms of causes, symptoms and treatments, but both involve diseases of the perianal area, and patients need to be vigilant to avoid delaying treatment.

External hemorrhoids are usually caused by aseptic thrombosis, congestion or skin growths due to poor blood flow in the venous plexus at the lower end of the rectum. Common causes include long-term sitting, pregnancy, constipation, etc. Symptoms include soft or hard bulges that can be felt around the anus, accompanied by itching, foreign body sensation or slight pain. If the condition worsens, it may cause pain or bleeding. Perianal abscess is an infectious disease, mostly caused by purulent infection after bacteria invade the anal glands or anal sinuses, and may be related to decreased immunity, intestinal diseases (such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis), etc. Its most notable feature is the appearance of hard bulges accompanied by redness, swelling, severe pain and fever. When the abscess ruptures, pus can be seen oozing out, and in severe cases it is easy to develop into anal fistula.

The treatment of external hemorrhoids is mainly conservative, including warm water sitz baths, the use of local analgesic ointments (such as compound carrageenan ester cream), and the use of hemorrhoid suppositories and other drugs to improve the condition. If necessary, surgery can be used, such as external hemorrhoidectomy. For perianal abscesses, the infection site must be identified as soon as possible and surgical drainage must be performed. This is the most effective way to resolve the abscess. For large abscesses, incision and drainage or simple hanging thread drainage can be considered. After surgery, antibiotic treatment is used to control the infection. Attention should be paid to a light diet and avoid irritating foods.

In order to prevent anal diseases, it is recommended to develop good bowel habits, avoid sitting for long periods of time, pay attention to perianal cleanliness and eat a healthy diet. If you find any abnormalities in the perianal area, it is very important to seek medical attention in time so that you can treat the symptoms and prevent the disease from getting worse.