Can Hemorrhoids Get Infected?

Medically reviewed by Moshe Barnajian, MD, FASCRS, colorectal surgeon at Surgery Group LA · Reviewed October 14, 2026

Hemorrhoids can get infected, but it's rare. Cleveland Clinic lists infection among the uncommon complications of hemorrhoids (Cleveland Clinic). When someone has pain, swelling and fever near the anus, the cause is more often a nearby problem, such as a painful blood clot in a hemorrhoid or an anal abscess (a pocket of pus). Those need a doctor's exam, and an abscess usually needs to be drained.

What hemorrhoids are

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the lower rectum and around the anus. Internal hemorrhoids sit inside the rectum and often bleed painlessly. External hemorrhoids sit under the skin around the anus and can itch or hurt. Most can be treated at home (NIDDK).

Why hemorrhoids rarely get infected

Even though hemorrhoids sit right next to stool, infection is uncommon. Doctors generally put this down to the area's strong blood supply, which helps tissue heal and fight off bacteria. So most hemorrhoid flare-ups are swelling and irritation, not infection.

How to tell if a hemorrhoid is infected

These signs suggest infection or an abscess rather than an ordinary flare-up:

• pain that keeps getting worse instead of easing after a few days;
• swelling, redness or warmth around the anus;
• pus or fluid draining from the area;
• fever, chills or feeling tired and unwell (Cedars-Sinai).

An anal abscess usually starts in a blocked gland inside the anus, not in the hemorrhoid itself. The pain tends to be constant and doesn't let up between bowel movements (Cedars-Sinai).

Can hemorrhoids cause a fever?

Ordinary hemorrhoids don't usually cause a fever. If you have anal pain or bleeding and a fever or chills, get checked promptly. NIDDK advises getting care right away for severe anal pain and rectal bleeding, especially with belly pain, diarrhea or fever (NIDDK; Cleveland Clinic). A fever points to something beyond a simple hemorrhoid, such as an abscess.

What does a white spot on a hemorrhoid mean?

A white or yellow spot on a swollen, painful, red hemorrhoid can be pus, and it should be looked at. Often, though, a whitish look is just irritated, moist skin or leftover ointment. If the spot comes with growing pain, swelling or fever, see a doctor rather than squeezing or popping it.

Thrombosed and "burst" hemorrhoids

A thrombosed hemorrhoid is an external hemorrhoid with a blood clot inside. It appears as a sudden, firm, painful lump, often bluish or purple (Cleveland Clinic). The pain usually gets worse for about 48 hours, then eases over 2 to 7 days, and the lump shrinks over 4 to 6 weeks. If the skin over the clot opens, it can bleed; this is what people often call a burst hemorrhoid. For severe pain, a surgeon can remove the clot through a small cut under local anesthesia, often in the office (ASCRS). A painful clot is not the same as an infection, but it's a good reason to be seen.

Home care for a sore hemorrhoid

If a doctor has checked you and it's a simple flare-up, these steps help (ASCRS; NIDDK):

1. Soak in a warm sitz bath for 10 to 20 minutes, a few times a day.
2. Eat more fiber and drink more water so stools are soft. A fiber supplement such as psyllium helps.
3. Don't strain or sit on the toilet for long. Aim for a minute or two.
4. Keep the area clean by rinsing with warm water and gently patting dry.
5. Use an over-the-counter cream or pain reliever if needed, for about a week. If you take a blood thinner, ask your doctor which pain reliever is safe.

If your symptoms don't improve after a week, see a doctor (NIDDK).

Do infected hemorrhoids need antibiotics?

Sometimes, but antibiotics alone are often not enough. If there's an abscess, the pus needs to be drained through a small cut near the anus. Antibiotics may be added afterward (Cedars-Sinai). Don't use leftover antibiotics or ones meant for something else.

When to see a doctor

• Your pain or swelling is getting worse, or hasn't improved after a week of home care.
• You notice pus, a spreading red area, or a lump that keeps growing.
• You have rectal bleeding you haven't had checked. Bleeding can have other causes, and a colonoscopy is sometimes needed (ASCRS).

Get care right away if

• you have a fever or chills along with anal pain;
• the pain is severe and constant;
• you have heavy rectal bleeding, or bleeding with belly pain (NIDDK);
• you feel faint, weak or very unwell.

How we treat it at Surgery Group LA

We start with a gentle exam to find out what's causing the pain: a flare-up, a clotted hemorrhoid, an abscess or something else. A painful clot can often be removed in the office. An abscess is drained, sometimes in the office and sometimes in the operating room if it is large or deep. For hemorrhoids that keep bleeding, clotting or prolapsing, we discuss options from rubber band ligation to hemorrhoidectomy. Learn more about hemorrhoid treatment and perianal abscess treatment at Surgery Group LA.

Talk to a colorectal surgeon

If a hemorrhoid isn't settling down, or you're worried about infection, we're happy to take a look. Our surgeons see patients at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Office Towers, 8635 W 3rd St, Suite 880W, Los Angeles. Call (310) 861-7493 or request an appointment.

This article is for general information and is not a substitute for medical advice.