Advice for treating an external haemorrhoid please

[FleurandLion]

Hi folks. I have awful health anxiety and have sadly found another problem. I have been having quite a few bowel issues since I had gallbladder surgery 2 months ago which have thankfully settled down now but I have gone from normal to diarrhoea to constipation and now it seems I have an external pile (haemorrhoid). This would explain why it has happened I think.

I was only feeling sore on wiping but decided to use some anusol last night to ease things and freaked out when I found this. I wish I had just left it or used some cotton wool to apply then I wouldn’t have noticed.
It feels quite big but probably isn’t but I am scared to look. Feels soft.
The anusol stings a bit when I put it on so don’t know whether to stop using it.

So I am freaking out once again so need some help to manage this. It’s a common thing isn’t it and what is the best way to treat it? Honestly I have had one thing after another this whole year and I can’t take anything else 😩

Firstly this is such a common thing. People just generally don’t bring it up in conversation or make a joke of it.
Maybe just use Vaseline if the anusol stings. Apparently piles do shrink on their own in time so if it is not causing pain maybe leave it for a while but if you are worried get it checked by the gp who can advise on treatments and put your mind at ease.
I have health anxiety too and can relate to your fears.

As PP said, they're very very common. They can be alarming though. They can go away by themselves. Anusol does shrink them but if that's unpleasant to use, make sure you're getting enough fibre (Fibogel is brilliant for this) and it's likely to shrink by itself. They can be exacerbated by stress, so if it's been a hard year, that could contribute. Get on top of the constipation and it will reabsorb but if it puts your mind at rest, you could always check in with the doc.

One thought is, if you've been constipated, there could be a slight tear on the skin (again, nothing to worry about) - maybe treat the constipation first and then in a week go back in with the anusol.

Thank you. I am very alarmed by it. My brain is in overdrive at the moment.

Yes I have been constipated at times and probably strained too much. I am guessing straining can cause external piles due to the pressure etc. I am drinking loads of water and trying to up my fibre intake but I have been all over with the bowels due to settling down after surgery.
I just don’t think I can take much more health issues on top of what I am currently dealing with but it’s interesting about the stress effect on things.
I have an appointment on Friday with the doc about my gallbladder situation but they are really funny and you are only supposed to ask about one problem at a time or else you need a double appointment 😳 And I know they have seen it all before but it’s a male doctor.

Just had a look. It’s actually just on the inside/ on the edge. Not that it makes much difference 😳

It’s all connected lol. You sometimes don’t even realise you are straining so much as well so yes as @DoYouSellBuckets says get on top of the constipation.
There is an applicator with the anusol for the internal bits if you want to insert the cream inside but I found it difficult to use and just used my finger.

You could mention it to the gp but I know what you mean. At ours you have 10 minutes per ailment so if you have 3 things going on you would need a triple appointment, which is impossible to get. We have a nurse practioner who can prescribe and she is much easier to get in to see. Is that possible for you?

Thank you. It’s the same at our practice @MinnieMouseSlippers. They tell you if there is more than one problem you need a double appt. Try getting one of those in a hurry!
I dont really want to see the nurse practitioner. Sounds awful but she seems terrified of making a decision if things are not 100% obvious. Long story but too outing to go into but it caused me a lot of unnecessary stress.

I shall give the anusol a go and if no improvement shall make an appointment. Meanwhile I will try and not have a meltdown.