Hemorrhoids In Children
Symptoms and Treatment of Hemorrhoids in Children
Hemorrhoids in children can be a difficult situation for a parent to handle. How can we be sure whether our child has hemorrhoids or if they are suffering from something much more serious? Do hemorrhoids warrant a trip to the doctor or are there ways to treat this condition at home? The trials and tribulations of being a parent are never ending. There is always something new cropping up to keep up on our toes, and hemorrhoids are just another one of these instances! We are going to talk about the most prevalent symptoms of hemorrhoids in children and how the situation should be handled.
Before we jump into the list of symptoms, it may help for us to get a clearer picture of what exactly hemorrhoids are. As one would probably guess, there are many veins that line the muscular area of the anus. These veins can easily become swollen underneath the skin, and sometimes they can even break the surface of the skin. So, what causes the veins to swell? Most often the irritation is caused by straining or pushing too vigorously during a bowel movement. In children, this is very difficult to avoid as many young children would have difficulty understanding what their parent means when they say “don’t strain” on the toilet.
Different types of hemorrhoids can produce a range of symptoms that vary in severity. There are two basic types of hemorrhoids: internal and external. Internal hemorrhoids are those which occur actually inside the rectum. They cannot be seen and usually only cause discomfort during a bowel movement. External hemorrhoids occur outside of the anus and can often be seen or felt as lumps or red/purple discolorations. External hemorrhoids often cause discomfort even after a bowel movement has passed. They can remain sore, raw, or even itchy for quite some time.
The symptoms that crop up with hemorrhoids in children are usually quite similar to those that would show up in an adult with the same condition. One of the most noticeable—and alarming—symptoms of hemorrhoids is blood in the stool or on the toilet paper after cleaning up. With internal hemorrhoids, the child may feel as though he or she needs to have a bowel movement even when they don’t. The child may also experience a great deal of pain during a bowel movement that causes them to “hold it” when they really ought to go, or protest when you insist that they go to the bathroom. The child may cry or complain during movements because of the discomfort. In severe cases, the internal hemorrhoid can become so swollen that it protrudes from the anal opening. This often causes the anus to bleed or leak a mucous-like substance. Unfortunately, over the counter creams and ointment really aren’t effective against internal hemorrhoids because of their location.
External hemorrhoids are much easier to identify because they are often visible. We parent’s don’t exactly like the thought of having a gander at our child’s rear, but it’s the best way to determine whether external hemorrhoids are present. A child with external hemorrhoids may show or voice discomfort while sitting and may attempt to scratch their anus due to the itchiness that external hemorrhoids can cause. As with internal hemorrhoids, the most discomfort is experienced during a bowel movement, but the pain and soreness can last for a long time after the movement is passed. External hemorrhoids are very responsive to over the counter treatments which may simply be applied to the outer area of the anus, as long as the directions on the package state that it is okay for use on children (or if a doctor recommends a product and provides an adequate dosage).
In most cases, a child will initially begin developing hemorrhoids due to constipation. Adding more fiber such as whole grains, fruits, and green veggies to their diet will help soften their stool and reduce the need to strain. Fruit juices and beans are other great sources of fiber and will encourage softer stools. Frequent bathing and cleansing of the anal area is highly recommended to ensure that the child does not develop infection or further inflame the area. If a change in diet doesn’t seem to ease any of the child’s symptoms over the course of a week or two, then an appointment should be made with his or her doctor to see about an alternative treatment method. It is very important to catch hemorrhoids before they worsen to a state that makes them difficult to treat.