Pain around your anus is never welcome. One of the most common reasons for pain in this area, called the perianal region, is a hemorrhoid.
However, while it’s a reasonable suspect, a hemorrhoid might not be the culprit. Rather, your pain could be due to a perianal abscess. The two are sometimes mistaken for each other. However, each has its own physiology; they have little in common except for the pain they create.
If you are experiencing anorectal discomfort, visit us at Colorado Colon & Rectal Specialists in Parker, Colorado. Dr. Lisa Perryman, FACS, FASCRS, can diagnose your disorder and provide pain-relieving treatment.
Today, we’ll examine both perianal abscesses and hemorrhoids to illustrate the differences between the two.
If you’re over 50, there’s a 50/50 chance you’ve already experienced hemorrhoids at some point in your life. The tissue that results in hemorrhoids is a natural feature of your anal anatomy.
It’s only when this tissue becomes inflamed that hemorrhoids become a problem. Common reasons for hemorrhoids include:
Hemorrhoids can develop internally or externally. Internal hemorrhoids may not be painful, but they can cause anal bleeding. External hemorrhoids are typically more painful, particularly when you’re having a bowel movement or performing a strenuous task.
External hemorrhoids often present as hard bumps that you might notice. These usually have a blue or purple color, and they’re tender or sore when touched.
Also presenting as bumps outside the anus, perianal abscesses result from the clogging of anal glands. Your body’s reaction is similar to acne abscesses, and the resulting bumps are usually soft and warm when compared with hemorrhoids.
The blocked glands collect pus, the result of an infection that starts within the gland. As the abscess grows, so does the pain it produces. This pain can be more intense when passing stools or moving in ways that put pressure on the area. You may also develop flu-like symptoms, including chills and fever, because of the infection.
An abscess can also stem from blockage of a sebaceous gland. While similar to a perianal abscess in many respects, a sebaceous gland abscess is usually less painful and tends not to cause more advanced symptoms.
Visit Dr. Perryman any time you find a bump or lump around your anus that is accompanied by severe discomfort or pain, rectal bleeding, or chills and fever.
Contact Colorado Colon & Rectal Specialists using our online link or by calling the office. Don’t wait for your problem to get worse. Schedule your visit today.
