One of the most typical health conditions confused with hemorrhoids is anal warts. They are sorta the same… yet they stem from entirely different causes and therefore are treated in very different methods. Anal warts are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). This virus is highly contagious and often transmitted through sexual intercourse or skin-to-skin contact. An anal fissure is a small tear in the thin, moist tissue (mucosa) that lines the anus.
The major distinction of course is the occurrence of pain.
ANAL PAINS & CONDITIONS: ANAL WARTS, HEMORRHOIDS OR FISSURE
What are Anal Warts?
Anal warts (also called “condyloma acuminata”) are a condition that affects the area around and inside the anus. They may also affect the skin of the genital area. They first appear as tiny spots or growths, perhaps as small as the head of a pin, and may grow quite large and cover the entire anal area. They usually appear as a flesh or brownish color. Usually, they do not cause pain or discomfort and patients may be unaware that the warts are present. Some patients will experience symptoms such as itching, bleeding, mucus discharge and/or a feeling of a lump or mass in the anal area. Anal warts are caused by HPV and can be transmitted by direct contact ie. basically any contact exposure to the anal area (hand contact, secretions from a sexual partner) can result in HPV infection .
HPV infection does not lead to hemorrhoids.
What are Anal Fissures?
An anal fissure is a small tear or crack in the lining of the anus. It may occur when passing large or hard stools, straining during childbirth, or experiencing bouts of diarrhea. An anal fissure is usually a minor condition that goes away within six weeks. Home treatments can help ease pain and promote healing.
Anal fissure can occur as a result of any circumstance that puts excessive pressure on the lining of the anus. Thus there are a variety of causes, which may include:
- Constipation with large or impacted stools
- Chronic or persistent diarrhea
- Inflammatory bowel disease (e.g. Crohn’s disease)
- Infections such as syphilis, herpes, HIV or tuberculosis
What are Hemorrhoids?
On the other hand, are a very painful condition. Symptoms of hemorrhoids are anal itching, pain (especially while sitting), blood on stool, and lumps near the anus. Increased pressure in the veins of the anus causes hemorrhoids. This is why hemorrhoids are common during pregnancy and after childbirth.
Hemorrhoid symptoms may include finding bright red blood on your toilet paper or seeing blood in the toilet after a bowel movement. Other common symptoms include rectal pain, pressure, burning, and itching. You may also be able to feel a lump in your anal area.
Hemorrhoids are common and usually not too serious. They can often be treated with home remedies, and you may not even need to be seen by a doctor.
But some symptoms of hemorrhoids, especially rectal bleeding, may also be caused by other diseases, some of them serious, like colon cancer.
Treatment of Anal Conditions:
Anal Warts Screenings, Tests & Checks:
Anal warts and hemorrhoids can both seem like lumps or masses of tissue round the anal area. However, there are difference scan result in a proper identification upon near inspection of the area.
Anal warts testing demands that your doctor may inquire as to the presence or absence of risk factors to include a history of anal intercourse, a positive HIV test or a chronically weakened immune system (medications for organ transplant patients, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, etc).
Anal warts’ physical examination should focus primarily on the anorectal examination and evaluation of the perineum (pelvic region) that includes the penile or vaginal area to look for warts. Digital rectal examination should be performed to rule out any mass. Anoscopy is typically performed to look within the anal canal for additional warts. This involves inserting a small instrument about the size of a finger into your anus to help visualize the area. Speculum examination may also be performed to aid in vaginal examination in women.
Hemorrhoids are usually best treated in your own home through a high-fiber diet, a proper amount of exercise, and easily obtained over-the-counter relief. Home remedies often work nicely on hemorrhoids and surgery is just rarely needed.
Hemorrhoids are often kept away by keeping the lifestyle changes that were made to assist cure them.
You should seek treatment for hemorrhoid symptoms if:
- You have rectal bleeding for the first time.
- You have heavy rectal bleeding.
- You have rectal bleeding that is not responding to home care.
- You have other hemorrhoid symptoms, such as pain, pressure, itching, and burning, that do not respond to home care after a few days.
- You have hemorrhoid symptoms along with other symptoms such as fever, weight loss, abdominal pain, or a change in bowel habits.
Anal Warts Treatment:
Anal warts, however, always have to be handled surgically, usually on an outpatient foundation. The warts will not go away by themselves. Instead, a physician has to make use of liquid nitrogen to freeze all of them off.
If warts are not removed, they can grow larger and multiply. Left untreated, warts may lead to an increased risk of anal cancer in the affected area. Internal anal warts may not respond to topical medications, so surgery may be required.
Anal warts will frequently come back for no cause under your control, because the virus can reside dormant in your skin cells for a long period. Post-treatment care and doctor’s supervision are often stressed to minimize chances of future outbreaks. When warts come back, they can usually be treated at your surgeon’s office. If a large number of new warts develop quickly, surgery may be needed again.
Treatment options for anal warts include:
- Topical medication: These creams usually work best if the warts are very small and located only on the skin around the anus.
- Topical medications that will freeze the warts (liquid nitrogen)
- Topical medications that will burn the warts (Trichlorocetic acid, podophyllin)
- Surgery: When the warts are either too large for the above mentioned treatments or are internal, surgery is considered. During surgery, the warts are surgically removed. The patient will be anesthetized for the procedure. The type of anesthetic depends on the number and exact location of the warts being removed. When there are many warts, your surgeon may perform the surgery in stages.
- An internal examination will also be performed so that any lesions on the inside can also be found and treated.