Don’t forget that hemorrhoids and perianal abscesses are not the same disease

I have seen a case like this before. A patient had anal abscess but thought it was hemorrhoids and treated it as such. Unexpectedly, not only did it not get better, but it got worse. This case reminds people that anal abscess and hemorrhoids are not the same disease. Remember not to treat anal abscess as hemorrhoids.

Perianal abscesses can be easily mistaken for hemorrhoids

Some patients think they have hemorrhoids and buy medicine to treat "hemorrhoids" without authorization, delaying treatment. Since the perianal tissue is loose, it is very easy for the inflammation to spread. Therefore, if it is not treated for a long time, the scope of the disease will become larger and larger. In severe cases, it may even rot from the anus to the lower abdomen.

Experts remind that people with anorectal diseases such as long-term diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, or systemic immune diseases such as diabetes and tumors are prone to abscesses around the anus and rectum. It is important to distinguish between hemorrhoids and perianal abscesses. Although both have similar pain symptoms, the former often has prolapsed hemorrhoids or even edema and tenderness, but no skin redness; while the latter can see typical symptoms of local redness and swelling.

The early symptoms of perianal abscess are small lumps or swellings around the anus, pain, redness, swelling, and fever. Abscesses usually form in about a week and are more common in men aged 20 to 40.

Early surgical treatment after diagnosis

Once perianal abscess is diagnosed, surgical treatment should be performed as soon as possible. If it is not treated in time, the abscess will spread to the deep and surrounding tissues, the lesion will worsen, and even lead to sepsis.

Experts believe that patients should not rely on anti-inflammatory drugs or Chinese medicine plasters and excessively adopt conservative treatments, and should not puncture the abscess by themselves. The correct method is to undergo surgical treatment as soon as possible, and never "pack the abscess and treat the abscess" because of fear of surgery and pain. "For any disease, treatment is secondary and prevention is the main thing, and this is especially true for perianal abscesses."