Hemorrhoids are a bothersome but common ailment. They occur when the veins in the rectum or anus swell and become painful. The University of Maryland Medical Center points out that two specific types of hemorrhoids exist. The first is an internal hemorrhoid that generally doesn't cause pain. The second is an external hemorrhoid where the vein protrudes outside the anus. Symptoms of hemorrhoids are most often associated with external hemorrhoids.
Itching
Anal itching can develop with an external hemorrhoid. This can occur before and after the worst episode of pain. The itching can be mild or it can become intense. Over-the-counter hemorrhoid creams or astringent pads can help reduce itching. It is important that an individual refrain from actually scratching the anus because this can introduce bacteria or split the skin, resulting in bleeding, also called a fissure.
Pain
Pain in the anus is a primary symptom of a hemorrhoid. Sitting, standing, walking and having a bowel movement can increase the discomfort. An internal hemorrhoid may produce some pain while passing a bowel movement but they don't usually cause discomfort on a regular basis. Thrombosis, a blood clot in the vein, can intensify the pain, states the University of Maryland Medical Center. A blood clot in the hemorrhoid usually requires medical treatment, whether that consists of draining the blood, surgically removing the hemorrhoid or using other pain and swelling relief methods.
Bleeding
An internal or external hemorrhoid can bleed, especially during and after a bowel movement. The tissues that line the rectum and anus are full of blood vessels. When the veins become swollen, the risk of developing an open wound increases. An individual may notice blood on the toilet tissue, in the fecal matter or in the toilet bowl following a bowel movement. The blood is usually bright red, which indicates the bleeding is from the lower part of the bowel structure comprised of the colon, rectum and anus.
Lumps
An external hemorrhoid appears in various-sized lumps near the anus. When an internal hemorrhoid protrudes out of the anus it is called a prolapsed hemorrhoid. When this occurs, the internal hemorrhoid can produce the same symptoms as an external hemorrhoid. These are generally bright red, but if a blood clot occurs they can become blue, purple or even black due to the lack of blood flow from the clot. The lumps can be the size of a raisin, a grape and sometimes larger. It is not uncommon for more than one lump to form.
Individuals may notice the lump shrinks over time and even disappears. The lumps can reappear at a later time due to straining, constipation or other factors that originally caused the hemorrhoid. FamilyDoctor.org explains that a prolapsed hemorrhoid can go back inside the rectum on its own or it can be gently pushed up by the individual.
Bowel Incontinence
Some individuals may experience a small amount of bowel incontinence, which is described as leaking of feces by MayoClinic.com. Leaking is sometimes expected due to poor cleansing of the area as well. The pain from touching the hemorrhoids with toilet tissue following a bowel movement can make it difficult to be thorough. A wet wipe or cloth can make cleansing easier.
