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If the lump is painful and itchy it would most likely be a pile (or a perianal haematoma). They are common and usually itchy. They are caused when the bowels open and the anus is stretched too much. Sometimes a small vein inside the anus can leak or become swollen.
Piles usually get better without any treatment and are not serious. Make sure your motions are soft and you avoid constipation by eating a healthy diet (rich in vegetables and fruit). This prevents further stretching of the anus and will help the pile heal. Keep the area very clean and use a pile/haemorrhoid cream to soothe the itching. It really should be examined by a doctor in person to confirm the diagnosis. (This is important because sometimes a lump inside the anus could be a cancer.)
Answered by Dr Emmajane Down.
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