Can a Hemorrhoid Burst and Is It Dangerous?
Both external and internal hemorrhoids can become thrombosed, meaning a blood clot forms inside the vein. If the clot becomes too full of blood, the hemorrhoid could rupture, which can lead to severe pain, though it does not usually jeopardize your health or life.
Hemorrhoids, also called piles, are enlarged veins in your rectum and anus. Some people may not experience symptoms from piles, but others may have itching, burning, bleeding, and discomfort, especially when sitting down.
There are two types of hemorrhoids:
Internal hemorrhoids develop in your rectum.
External hemorrhoids develop around the anal opening, beneath the skin.
Read on to learn more about burst hemorrhoids, including what happens and what you should do.
What happens when a hemorrhoid bursts?
When a thrombosed hemorrhoid becomes too full of blood, it may burst. This can lead to a brief period of bleeding. Ruptured hemorrhoids are not typically dangerous or considered a medical emergency.
A thrombosed hemorrhoid will typically become very painful before it actually bursts. Once it bursts, you'll likely feel an instant sense of relief due to the release of extra pressure from built-up blood.
How long will the bleeding from a burst hemorrhoid last?
Bleeding from a burst hemorrhoid can last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes. However, it shouldn't last for more than 10 minutes.
In some cases, the area around the hemorrhoid may continue to bleed occasionally during or after bowel movements.
What should you do if a hemorrhoid bursts?
A burst hemorrhoid usually doesn't require any medical treatment. But you may want to take a sitz bath to soothe the area and keep it clean while it heals.
A sitz bath can also help to increase blood flow to the area, which aids the healing process.
To take a sitz bath, try these steps:
Fill a clean bathtub with 3 to 4 inches of warm water — make sure it's not too hot.
Sit in the water and soak the area for 15 to 20 minutes.
Try bending your knees or putting your legs over the edge of the tub to ensure the area is submerged.
Gently pat dry the area with a clean towel, making sure you don't rub or scrub.
Over the next week, try to keep the area clean and dry. While a shower or bath should be enough, you can also take a daily sitz bath.
»MORE ON THIS: All about sitz baths
When to see a doctor
It's always a good idea to have a medical evaluation when you have anal bleeding. If bleeding lasts for more than 10 minutes, or is recurrent or severe, it's best to seek immediate care to rule out other causes.
Not all bleeding is due to hemorrhoids, so it's important not to self-diagnose. Sometimes, bleeding can caused by a minor injury or tear, or it could be a symptom of an underlying condition, such as colorectal or anal cancer.
In addition to anal bleeding, these accompanying symptoms also warrant care:
sudden and persistent changes in stool consistency or color
changes in bowel movement habits
anal pain or cramping
unexplained weight loss
nausea or vomiting
fever
dizziness
lightheadedness
abdominal pain
An irritated hemorrhoid can also cause intermittent bleeding over a longer period of time, but it would not be accompanied by any of these other symptoms.
What's the outlook for a burst hemorrhoid?
The blood from a burst hemorrhoid can look alarming, but it's usually not serious. However, a hemorrhoid that is filled with blood will be extremely painful, leading up to when it bursts. This pain is severe enough that most people seek treatment before the hemorrhoid has a chance to burst.
Burst hemorrhoids usually resolve quickly and may or may not return.
If you didn't have any unusual pain leading up to the bleeding, you may have just irritated an inflamed hemorrhoid.
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