Just Answer Just Answer

Ask Your Health Question. Health Experts Answer You ASAP
(Not a Health Question?)

Question

Can toddlers get Hemorrhoids?


Sent to Health Experts April 22, 2007 11:05 p.m.

My 4 year old son is bleeding from his rectum after bowel movements. He is also complaining of his anus itching.

Optional Information:
Male, Age: 4, West Virginia

Already Tried:
Mineral Oil
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status: Closed   Value: $15   
Answer
April 22, 2007 11:38 p.m. (32 minutes and 17 seconds later)
ACCEPTED Check Mark

Your 4 year old son has hemorrhoids.

Most hemorrhoids resolve spontaneously or with conservative medical treatment e.g. sitz baths 2 or 3 times a day (have your son sit in a tub of soothing room temperature water with a cup of Epsom Salts mixed into the water twice a day

Offer him a high-fiber diet especially fresh uncooked vegetables and fruit and whole grain cereals

Avoid offering your son more than 3 glasses of whole milk per day because milk can be constipating.

Encourage your son to use the bathroom at the first sign that he senses he has to have a bowel movement because waiting and "holding it" can cause the bowel movement to become dry and hard and this is what causes him to bleed.

Stool softeners are used to avoid straining and constipation e.g. Colace for a 4 year old dosage should be 20 to 60 mg daily or divided 2 to 4 times a day.

Topical anesthetics are indicated for pain e.g. Lidoderm or Dermaflex applied to hemorrhoids as needed to relieve pain.

Apply Witch Hazel up to 3 times per day or following a bowel movement. Witch Hazel is a mild astringent prepared from twigs of Hamamelis virginiana used to temporarily relieve itching of hemorrhoids.

If the above treatments don't relieve his bleeding and difficult bowel movements then I recommend that he be examined by a pediatric surgeon. He might require excision of a thrombosed external hemorrhoid.



__________________
Please click the green "ACCEPT" button.     A "BONUS" and "POSITIVE FEEDBACK" are appreciated!
PictureDr. Hanson  -- Doctor (MD) -- 99% Positive Feedback on 819 Health Accepts
Diplomate, American Board of Quality Assurance & Utilization Review Physicians

Think you can answer this question?
 Login or  Become an Expert









DISCLAIMER: You acknowledge that any information you may obtain from individuals you contact through use of the Just Answer service comes from those individuals, not from Just Answer!, and that Just Answer is not in any way responsible for any of the information these third parties may supply. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty and no representations are made regarding the qualification of an Expert. Responses and comments on Just Answer! are for general information and are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (such as medical, legal, investment or accounting) and do not establish a professional-client relationship. Just Answer! is not intended or designed to address EMERGENCY QUESTIONS which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals. Please carefully read the Terms of Service.
   Just Answer! > Medical Questions & Online Health Advice > Hemorrhoids Questions