Haemorrhoids, also known as piles, are enlarged and swollen blood vessels which are in or around the lower rectum and the anus.
Most of the time you are not aware of having haemorrhoids but in most cases you will feel a small lump which is just inside or outside the anus. Bleeding from a pile can be quite scary when first discovered but it is not serious.
Haemorrhoids, anal tears and anal fissures can all result in bleeding from the anus, which can be quite alarming. All these conditions are relatively common and in most cases any bleeding is not a cause for alarm. However, any bleeding from the anus should always be investigated immediately as it may be a symptom of a more serious condition.
If there is an irritation or an itch associated with piles, ask your pharmacist for advice. There are a number of preparations that can help ease the discomfort. You may find it useful to have a read of our treatments page for more information. Injecting haemorrhoids is a particularly effective treatment for haemorrhoids that bleed.
It is sometimes called sclerotherapy. Injecting a small amount of a chemical called phenol into the base of the haemorrhoids causes them to shrink in size. This can take a number of weeks to be effective, so you should not expect immediate results.
