Hemorrhoids and Anal Skin Tags

Digestive health
1

Hi I am a 21 year old female in the UK.  I believe I have external hemorrhoids and possibly anal skin tags from previous untreated hems.  I have had this for a few years now. I believe I have perhaps 2 skin tags and maybe 3 external hems?  Kind of looks like a five leaf clover, I will be going to a referral doctor to check it all out.

For a while I have been super embarrassed and paranoid about it and scared about potential surgeries.  Currently, they do not cause me any pain or irritation as such, the pain happened years back when I was sort of too young to think about it much and get help.  I used to skip meals a lot and have constipation/straining.

I was just wondering if anyone has any advise on keeping external hems to a minimum.  I actually haven't tried medicinal creams yet as have been using natural remedies such as Rutin capsules, tea tree oil, ACV (which irritated mine more), and coconut oil.  I am not certain they are working but they aren't seeming to hurt either.

I have been afraid about the choice of whether to have a surgery or not, I am aware it may not even be offered as I believe the doctor will suggest it is cosmetic - which for now it is, but I would be willing to pay if I thought it would be beneficial.  I am worried that I will regret not getting something done earlier, because if I do it later the anal skin tags may grow, or the hemorrhoids, and then be more painful.

I am hoping that with a good diet (fibre/fruit) and staying hydrated, and using the squatting toilet method (which helps with my movements), I could prevent the issues from getting worse.  But obviously over the years it has been worse as I have got more than just one hemorrhoid down there.  I do plan to wait and see what the doctor says but I have just been super paranoid, self-consious and embarrassed recently.  I have been put on betablockers for my anxiety of it all.  I am planning on sorting my head out though, because I know people live with hemorrhoids, so why can't I?

When I went to the GP he was not really worried, but wanted to refer me just in case I have internal hems that we can't see.  He didn't even prescribe me any creams as they do not cause me pain.  But I wanted to know if I should try the creams, like Anusol, to reduce the swelling? would it work even if I have no pain?

Thanks for any advise, sorry it is so long.

 

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Hi Kelly

I posted my story of the operation to remove Haemorrhoids a few days ago on this forum. I went through the same thing as you.

Creams wont really make the haemorrhoids go away, they help to relieve symptoms such as itching etc. You can buy Anasol over the counter for this.

Realstically, you will want to get the haemorrhoids looked at. Depending on how big they are, they surgeons may offer Sclerotherapy where they inject the haemorrhoids so that it shrivels up and falls off. This didnt work for me personally but surgeons may try this so that you don't have to through the operation. 

If that doesn't work, my advice is definitely go for the operation. I went Private as I pay for it through work, I think the NHS waiting time will be a while. Its not classed as cosmetic surgery if its affecting your life i.e your skipping meals to not feel constipated. 

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Thank you for taking the time to reply,

I have been traumatised by all the horror stories, however I am aware that there are good outcomes as well; like yours! (Congrats).

Do you think the creams would at least help with shrinking? They claim they do but I don't know if that just means for painful hems.

I am just thinking, is a scalpel surgery worth it if they do not cause me pain?  I think for now they would be considered cosmetic for that very reason, and my bowel movements in the recent years are mainly fine.  I think the hemorrhoids are due to many years of not looking after myself during school.

My hems are also external, I have been told so far, so am not certain if the injection method is used on them.  I am awaiting a appointment with a colorectal doctor so I know s/he will tell me more, I just thought I'd see if anyone has similar experiences/advise!

My main concern is A) my paranoia and embarrassment of the situation (which my parents keep telling me 'don't feel like that, they are so common&#39, and B) if I'd regret not having a surgery done earlier - but right now the hems are not causing me pain, just look not great! (I am hoping the doctor will be able to shed some light on this) ahahaha

Thanks again.

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Kelly, generally speaking I agree with 786.  Creams can treat but not cure.  That said I strongly suggest you try them first.  Experiment with different ones.

My surgery story is also posted on this site.  It can solve the problem but should be the last resort.  That said, you are young.  If, after consulting with a COLORECTAL SPECIALIST it looks like you are just putting off the inevitable, just do it.  Yeah, it sucks.  But we all overcome it.

Good luck

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I was as well when I heard all the stories, and even the thought of an operation down there but it had to be done...

I dont think the creams will shrink it, I think it will just help with the symptoms and make it less itchy and painful, but it will still be there. 

I think sclerotherapy may not be classed as surgery in that its just an injection into the haemorrhoids. If that doesnt work then the surgeon can consider the main operation, haemorrhoidectomy. You can use sclerotherapy for external haemorrhoids as I had this done and had external haemorrhoids, but it just didnt work for me.

Your parents are right...it is normal so don't feel embarrassed..If you don't want to tell work etc for example, the hospital wont mention what you are going in for so it will be kept private. I think you should definitely look at getting sclerotherapy (injection to the haemorrhoids). This was done to me under general anaesthetic so I didn't feel a thing whilst it was done. 

If that doesn't work then go for the operation to have them removed. It can become worse later on as it did become with me and the pain increased by like a million!!

Hope it goes well with you, is your appointment coming up soon?

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Hallo,

I have suffered also more than two years from hemorrhoids 2nd degree. Apparently not treated they became 3rd. Surgical removal was first proposition from GP and followed by proctologist. Did online research and found out the doctors avoid surgery - they know all types of modern methods, invasive or not, lead to recidive. So I started trying different ointments and creams as Pilex, Anusol, Preparation H and several chinese. Some didn't work at all, some have only temporary effect. What helped me is Hemorrel cream from some european producer. Used 2 boxes for 3 weeks and that was it. Hope my experience could be of any help for you!

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Hi Ben,

Thanks for replying, I have researched the cream you are talking about ! It doesn’t thave many reviews? What was your experience with it? 

Thank you

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Hallo again Kelly,

My experience was a bit strange - this cream is different from everything else I've tried. Even the form is different, it comes in a jar and has solid consistency which happened to be useful for applying small amount inside the rectum. I used it two times a day, two boxes were enough for me. As I had no pain, only discomfort from the prolapsing hemorrhoids, what I felt was them retract and discomfort went away. It has unbelievable action. In fact all info I've managed to find was in different languages - it is popular in Europe, what made me try it was a lot of words like "miracle" and "wonder". It's done a great job for me and I hope it can help you! Strongly suggest you to try it!

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Hey Ben,

Wow, that sounds impressive!  I did have a look, found it on an Ebay link, is that where you bought it?  I am worried it is a scam as noone posts reviews about it !  I am in the UK so should be able to get it.  I have external hemorrhoids I believe, so unsure if it will work but I will try possibly.

Did you apply after showers/baths and BMs? 2/3 times a day? Do you wash it off after?

Thank you

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Hallo Kelly,

Yes, I bought it from ebay. Came to US after 12 days, maybe for UK will be faster. I used it twice a day after bath, never washed it off. Bear in mind it's greasy and absorbs a bit slower. 

I hope I have helped

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hi Kelly I first had this problem in March i had 2 lumps on the outside i went to the ngh in sheffield the doctor found 7 hemms internally grade 2 _3 and said I'll band them got referred for a sigmoidoscopy the banding sadly didn't work since then I had surgery hal rar and sigmoidoscopy a longer recovery than anticipated i ended up constipated and un severe pain i stayed in for 2 days and fed laxatives now signed off 6 weeks

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Hey Matthew,

That doesn’t sound like fun, I’m sorry to hear.  Did you have any symptoms other than he lumps? (Bleeding/pain)

My gp said I have external, but I am not sure if he is 100% correct because he only did a visual examination.  Mine are always on show around the anus.  I was originally worried I had prolapse go but my Gp said I didn’t.  Either way, he referred me to a specialist so I guess I’ll find out.

I don’t think I have veins coming OUT of my anus while I have a BM, so I’m not certain! Sorry if TMI.

Hope you recover soon Matthew xx

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I hope it works for you but be cautious especially if the price is high.  I find very little information on the product which is not usually a good sign.