Developed a hemorrhoid over a long period of time.

I am a 21 year old male. About 8 months ago I started experiencing sever itching near my anal canal. My rectum itself didn't itch, but the area around it (I guess a crude way to put it would be to say within the "cheeks" of my buttocks). I thought that maybe I had developed an allergic reaction to a soap or something but I couldn't figure out what it was. Then I feared that I had developed an infection (even though I had no sexual contact back there) so I started using a combination of antibacterial cream and a 1% hydrocortisone cream. Months passed and I still was unable to get rid of the itching around the area. I read online about hemorrhoids and anal fissures, however, I wasn't experiencing pain, just the itching, and it was only around my anus, not actually on my anus so I didn't think I had either of those. The area had days where it would look bright red like and I felt pain when showering and applying soap- it felt like the skin had broken (which to be honest it was probably broken because I would constantly scratch myself back there for long period of time in private). Well a few months ago the itching ceased and the skin no longer looked inflamed. But then the itching came back and had spread. Now it is around my anus and on the anus itself. I kept applying the antibacterial cream & Hydrocortisone cream but it only provided temporarily releif about an hour after I applied it and it didn't last for too long. Well it was 2 weeks ago when I finally noticed a sac protruding from my anus while I was having a BM, after I was finished I showered and checked for it, it was no longer protrouding from my anus. So now I'm sure I have a hemorrhoid. I do not experience pain when having a BM, just SEVERE itching after a BM and just as I live my life. So now that I know I have it, I finally purchased some Preparation H to use (I can't find any at local stores so I had to order it online) and it will be here in a few days.

My question is: what would going to do a doctor really do? Reading online there isn't much help unless I want to have surgery, so should I just wait and see how I react to the Preparation H before scheduing an appointment with my doctor? I feel really embarrassed about my back side and I simply do not want to expose myself to my doctor if he will only tell me to try the Prep H and report back to him. I'm hoping that the Prep H will work and I won't have to schedule an appointment at all, but since I've waited 8 months to figure out what the problem is, should I just schedule that appointment now, or will waiting an extra week or two really make a difference? And since I've had it for long long without the Preparation H treatment, what are the chances of this actually being curable without surgery? Is it something that the longer you have the less hope there is?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Having it seen by a physician is recommended.  

One consideration would be a topical fungal infection.  If this is the case, the antibiotic cream would have no effect and the hydrocortisone would actually make it worse.  A physician evaluation can rule this out.

If hemorrhoids are considered, you can consider steroid suppositories.  A flexible sigmoidoscopy can offer a more complete evaluation if the symptoms continue.  

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_

[ringring]

I understand your suggestion to see a doctor, but would waiting 1 or two more weeks to see how the Preparation H works harm me? I'm just curious if waiting decreases chances of full recovery.

[caregiver222]

First off all, you can die from hemorhoids. Your hematocrit can get lower and lower and lower until finally, instead of 46, it's 16 and you are flat on your back or end up in an auto accident because you are inattentive. Ot get a super infection. Get them taken care of.