Hemorrhoids in Kids

Hemorrhoids are an uncomfortable and somewhat embarrassing medical condition that most of us think is more likely to affect the elderly. However that doesn’t mean we should rule it out at an earlier age, and that includes in children who can also suffer from hemorrhoids and who might find the experience particularly traumatizing and upsetting.

What Are Hemorrhoids?

External hemorrhoids, also known as piles, occur when the hemorrhoids (healthy vascular structures around the anus) become swollen or inflated resulting in red bulges protruding from the skin. This then causes blood (red) in the stool, itching and discomfort and difficulty when straining.

What Causes Hemorrhoids in Children?

Many things can cause hemorrhoids in children. Sitting on hard surfaces for instance is associated with the onset of piles, and this is something that can be a problem for children who spend long periods sitting on wooden stools in their classroom. It’s also a problem for children who spend long times on the toilet or on the potty. Children are also somewhat more likely to suffer from constipation and digestive problems as a result of a poor diet. This then causes them to strain more when passing stool which can result in piles. To help your children avoid hemorrhoids then, make sure that they stay hydrated and drink plenty of water. At the same time you should increase their intake of fiber and vegetables. Giving them whole grain bread and a healthier cereal can be great ways to easily improve their diet and make their stool easier to pass.

To help your children with sitting for long periods of time, suggest that they sit on their jumper at school, and monitor their toilet habits to ensure they aren’t spending too long in there. You should also ensure that when they are at home with you, that they aren’t only engaging in sedentary activities – encourage them to go outside and play.

Treatment

If you find your child is suffering from piles then there are several treatment options available to you. First of all, ensure that they understand the nature of the problem and that they know not to try and ‘force’ their toilet habits. Encourage them to avoid sitting down more than necessary and give them something soft to sit on when they do.

Meanwhile you should improve their diet in the ways described above – by giving them lots of fruit and fiber and ensuring they drink a lot of water. The most painful part for them will be wiping after they have used the toilet so encourage them through this and suggest washing in the bath or with the shower attachment – make sure that hygiene doesn’t suffer.

You should also help them to cope by medicating and addressing any discomfort. The use of analgesics may help, and particularly soothing creams and steroid creams for their anus which can help to ease the discomfort. Normally the piles will go away on their own after a short period of time depending on how bad they are. If they do not then there are a range of surgical options that can be used to remove the hemorrhoids such as ‘rubber band ligation’ in which a band is attached to the top of the hemorrhoid in order to starve it of blood and oxygen and cause it to disappear. These methods have mixed levels of discomfort and success, and some may result in scarring, so try to manage the symptoms first and consult your family doctor on the best course of action.

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  1. My son has a great diet, no one can tell me what is wrong with him he has been constipated since he was a baby have been to westmead children's hospital he was supposed to have tests done but never heard back now tonight my son has gotten piles need real help don't know where to go now.

  2. The information given in the page is helpful and informative, however, it was lacking quite a lot of the information that I needed such as the first signs that your child may have hemorrhoids, the age of children susceptible to condition etc.

  3. Thanks for the brief lecture, however can you help direct on the first line of medication, my daughter 2-3 years have experienced this twice and she has perfect diet and cereals. I guess she pushes too much even after she must have finished pooh. How do we go about it, though she eats heavily.

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