hemorrhoids?

Hello Doctor,

For the past month, I've had irritation around the opening/just inside my rectum. It feels like an itching sensation. I notice that there's a small solid "lump" raised. It doesn't feel like it's movable (when I push on it, it causes slight dull pain but seems to stay put).

There very seldom is blood in my stool, and there is only slightly more pain when defecating than normal. Additionally, it is not bothersome to the point where I have to change my sitting/laying patterns at home, school, or driving.

What's complicated is that I recently was the recipient of anal sex, and there was a period of unprotected genital-to-rectal contact prior to engaging in protected sex (but as I recall, that "lump" was present at the time of the sexual contact).

So, my mind is constantly on the "lump" because of the possibility of it being sexual in nature (though, from other articles, a single persisent non-changing lump isn't likely to be herpes - right?), and as a result, it seems to always cause mild mild discomfort, though once my mind's on something else, it doesn't cause any discomfort, but I still know it's there (plus, examining it for changes 100 times a day probably doesn't help, either).

I've started applying hydrocortizone 1% around the rectal area - but I'm not sure if it's helping (I apply it once or twice a day).

Do hemorrhoids (or a fissure or maybe even herpes) last a month roughly unchanged? Is there something else that it could be and do you think it requires medical attention? (Again, it's not painful so much as bothersome/uncomfortable). Do you think an urgent care/ER/walk-in place would be equipped to handle something like this? I don't feel comfortable sharing this with my GP, if I have to go.

Thank you for your help, Doctor!

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Yes, it could be a hemorrhoid.  You are also right to say that this doesn't sound like herpes.  I nevertheless recommend that you have it checked out.  I doubt this is sexual in nature, but still, you need to be seen for definitive diagnosis.  An urgent care center would be a reasonable place to go.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[tfe]

I should go on to mention that its size and shape rougly resembes an average sized pimple -- nothing grand, big or otherwise protruding at all. No excruciating pain when touched. Hmm....

[tfe]

And, last but not least, is it possible -- that at the most simple -- that this can be caused by nothing more than irritation (or folliculitis), that has no inherent traumatic cause?

[tfe]

Well, I left "well enough alone" and stopped poking, prodding and self-inspecting for a few days and it's reducing in size.

Could it have been follucilitis (sp) or another irritation that just kept its original size because of my constant irritation?

[davebest2001]

Maybe you should try Preparation H cream.I have had haemorroids on and off for about 10 years and this always works when I get them.Take care