The appearance of a lump in the anus can cause discomfort, especially when sitting and walking. This condition can be caused by various health problems, ranging from mild to dangerous. Treatment for lumps in the anus also needs to be adjusted to the cause.
The anus is an opening at the bottom of the digestive tract. It consists of the skin and inner intestinal tissue, including the mucous glands, blood vessels, lymph nodes, and sensitive nerve endings.
When these areas become irritated, infected, or blocked, lumps can form. Lumps that appear in the anus are generally painful, hard, and discharge fluid. However, there are times when the bumps do not cause any complaints at all.
Various Causes of Lumps in Anus
There are several conditions or diseases that can cause lumps in the anus, namely:
1. Hemorrhoids
Piles or hemorrhoids are a common cause of lumps in the anus. There are two types of hemorrhoids, namely internal hemorrhoids and external hemorrhoids. Symptoms and signs that appear can vary slightly, depending on the type of hemorrhoid experienced.
Called internal hemorrhoids because the lumps that appear are inside the anus, to be precise in the rectum. Generally, internal hemorrhoids do not cause pain because there are not many nerves in the rectal canal.
Meanwhile, the location of the lump on the external hemorrhoid is outside the rectum or around the anal canal. In addition to lumps, this disease is characterized by pain or itching in the anus and bloody stools.
This disease, also known as hemorrhoids, is caused by swelling or enlargement of the blood vessels around the anus.
This condition can be caused by various things, such as pregnancy, the habit of pushing hard during bowel movements, sitting or standing for too long, anal sex, obesity, and often lifting heavy weights.
2. Perianal hematoma
A perinatal hematoma is characterized by a small, purplish or black lump on the outside of the anus. This condition is caused by the rupture of a blood vessel in the anus, which usually occurs due to straining during a bowel movement or lifting heavy weights.
Anal lumps caused by perianal hematomas can be up to the size of a baseball and are painful and swollen around the anus.
3. Anal warts
This condition is caused by infection human papillomavirus (HPV). In most cases, anal warts are painless or painful, especially if they are small.
Therefore, sufferers often do not realize that there is a lump in the anus. If they are large, anal warts may itch and produce mucus or blood.
4. Anal abscess
An anal abscess is a painful condition when there is a collection of boils or lumps filled with pus in the anus. This condition can be caused by infected anal blisters, sexually transmitted infections, and blockages in the glands in the anus.
The most common type of abscess is a perianal abscess. Its characteristics are lumps that are red and feel warm to the touch.
5. Constipation
Constipation or difficulty passing stools due to hard, dry stools can make the anal area feel swollen, giving the impression that there is a lump in the anus. Constipation is generally caused by a low-fiber diet and lack of fluids.
6. Molluscum contagiosum
This disease is a skin infection caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus. The virus can be spread to the anus through sexual contact, coming into contact with infected skin, or sharing sheets or towels with an infected person.
Symptoms include small, pink or white bumps with a small hole or hollow in the center. Although harmless and sometimes cause no symptoms, lumps in the anus caused by this disease can take months or even years to go away.
7. Anal cancer
Anal cancer occurs when abnormal cells that are malignant form in the anal tissue. Most anal cancers are caused by HPV infection.
However, this cancer can also be triggered by various factors, such as smoking habits, having multiple partners, having anal sex, suffering from immune disorders such as HIV, or having had cancer in the vaginal area.
In addition to a lump in the anus, other symptoms of anal cancer are bleeding from the anus, pain, itching, and changes in bowel patterns.
How to get rid of a lump in the anus
To determine the exact cause of a lump in the anus, the doctor will perform a physical examination by inserting a finger into the anus to determine the condition of the lump that appears.
Investigations, such as anoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy, are also performed if a lump in the anus is suspected to be related to a digestive tract disorder.
After the cause of the lump in the anus is known, then the doctor can determine the right type of treatment. The following are treatment options according to the condition of the lump in the anus:
- Painkillers, to relieve pain that appears
- Medication to relieve swelling
- Laxative drugs, to soften stools and facilitate defecation
- Antibiotics, to treat infection
- Creams or ointments, to numb or reduce irritation
- Surgery, to remove the lump
- Radiation and chemotherapy
Most cases of lumps in the anus can recover with proper treatment. So, you are advised to consult a doctor once you find a lump in the anus.
You need to see a doctor immediately if the lump in the anus is accompanied by fever, bleeding, severe pain, pus, or changes in the texture and pattern of bowel movements. Do not delay to see a doctor so that the right treatment can be done.