Disclaimer: Content is for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. Statements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We encourage you to consult with a healthcare professional.
There are a variety of ways to treat hemorrhoid symptoms at home or under a doctor’s care. Remember – hemorrhoids are a normal part of anatomy, therefore the goal of treatment is to relieve any pain, itching or bleeding while preventing further irritation or complications.
Before you pursue treatment, it’s important to correctly diagnose your issue, ideally by getting a physical exam by your doctor. While hemorrhoids are the most common anorectal condition, there are other issues, including anal fissures, which sometimes are misdiagnosed as problematic hemorrhoids. In addition – hemorrhoids can be internal, external or mixed (a combination of both internal and external in one hemorrhoid). External hemorrhoids can also become thrombosed – which means a blood clot forms inside the hemorrhoid. Each of these conditions have unique symptoms and characteristics and require slightly different treatment. Learn more about the most common anorectal conditions here. And remember, while we always recommend you speak with a healthcare professional about any concerns, if you have any sort of bleeding, it is critical you speak to your doctor ASAP.
Lifestyle Changes for Optimum Anorectal Health
The first thing you can do to address issues with your anorectal health are to make the following adjustments:
- Increase fiber intake: A diet high in fiber (fruits, vegetables, whole grains) can help soften stool, making it easier to pass and reducing the strain that can worsen hemorrhoids. You can also consider fiber supplements like psyllium.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps keep stool soft and easier to pass.
- Avoid straining or sitting too long on the toilet: Straining increases pressure on the hemorrhoidal tissue, leading to worsening symptoms.
- Exercise regularly: Physical activity promotes regular bowel movements and reduces pressure on the veins, helping prevent and alleviate hemorrhoids.
The goal of these lifestyle changes is to prevent anorectal issues from occurring in the first place or to make sure existing issues don’t get worse.
External Hemorrhoid – At Home Treatment
In addition to the before mentioned lifestyle changes, there are a variety of at-home treatments that might offer relief of symptoms for external hemorrhoids.
Warm Sitz Baths
- Sitting in a few inches of warm (not hot) water for 10–15 minutes several times a day (especially after bowel movements) can relieve itching, irritation, and spasms in the anal muscles which may help hemorrhoids and fissures heal faster.
- You may use a sitz bath insert for your toilet (usually available at your local pharmacy or on Amazon) or just make a shallow bath in your bathtub. Sitz comes from the German verb “sitzen” meaning “to sit”.
- We do NOT recommend you put epsom salts, oils, lotions, soaps or fragrances in the water as they can be drying to the sensitive anal tissues. Our Founder learned this the hard way!
Topical Creams and Ointments
We are of course partial to our own maximum strength clean medicine balm we are launching in Summer 2025. In the meantime, here are some options:
- Lidocaine Spray or Cream 5% – this can temporarily relieve pain
- Hydrocortisone Cream 1% – this can reduce inflammation, but should not be used if there is a chance you have a fissure
- OTC pain medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), or aspirin can help reduce pain and inflammation.
Cold Compresses
- Applying cold packs to the anal area for no more than ten minutes at a time may reduce swelling and discomfort. Make sure to use a soft towel or piece of clothing between the cold pack and your body to protect your delicate skin from frostbite.
- A DIY solution for a cold pack that actually fits between the cheeks is to take a washcloth, soak it in water, then place it inside a plastic bag (you can fold it or roll it depending on the shape you prefer). Freeze the washcloth until it reaches your desired temperature then apply to the affected area. Make sure to dispose of the plastic bag after use as it could harbor bacteria.
- Do not use a cold compress if there is a chance you have anal fissure as it might exacerbate your situation.
Internal Hemorrhoid – At Home Treatment
In addition to the before mentioned lifestyle changes and sitz baths, there are a variety of at-home treatments that might offer relief of symptoms for internal hemorrhoids.
- Hydrocortisone Suppositories – may help reduce inflammation of internal hemorrhoids and discomfort.
- Stool Softeners – if hydration and a high-fiber diet are not enough to keep your bowel movements soft, you might consider a gentle stool softener.
If your hemorrhoids do not respond favorably to conservative measures within a week, there are a variety of office-based procedures as well as surgical options that should be discussed with your doctor.
Citations:
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1272818
DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2004.03.008
DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2012.12.020