What's the difference between an anal abscess and an external hemorroid?!
Question: How do you know the difference?
Answers: How do you know the difference?
An anal abscess is a tight, painful pocket of pus near the anus (i.e. the external opening of the rectum). The condition invariably becomes extremely painful, and usually worsens over the course of just a few days. Anal abscesses, unfortunately, cannot be treated by a simple course of antibiotics or other medications. Even small abscesses will need the attention of a surgeon immediately.
External hemorrhoids are always outside by definition. They rarely bleed, but can cause embarrassing rectal itching and soreness. Hemorrhoids may usually be treated with over the counter preparations. If symptoms do not improve in seven days, referral to a physician is recommended.
Go see your doctor...He will tell you....
An abscess is an infection of some sort whereas a hemorrhoid is caused by a blood clot.
Well, to start with, just from the names, a hemorroid should be a bulge of a blood vessel while an abscess should be an open hole. The former, while uncomfortable, should not be infected while the latter probably is.
Hemorroids do not usually get infected, just itchy and painful. If the hemorroid bleeds, it's a good idea to treat it with antibiotic cream to minimize the opportunity for abcess.
An anal abscess is much more serious matter. Not to say that a hemorroid cannot abcess. It certainly could, but usually doesn't. That in itself is pretty strange, considering the location.
An abscess is a puss filled pocket - infection. Hemorrhoids are swollen tissues in the rectal area.
An abcess can be squeezed and the infection comes out in the form of puss. Not much can be done w/ hemorroids except to keep them from burning/ itching w/o a doc.