How to Take Care of Your Hemorrhoids at Home

By Venita Adams
January 7, 2024

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the lower part of the rectum and anus that can cause pain, itching, bleeding, and discomfort. They are also known as piles, and they can be either internal or external. Internal hemorrhoids are inside the rectum and usually do not cause symptoms unless they bleed or protrude outside the anus. External hemorrhoids are on the skin around the anus and can be seen and felt.

Hemorrhoids are very common, especially among older adults, pregnant women, and people who have chronic constipation or diarrhea, or who strain during bowel movements. Hemorrhoids are not dangerous, but they can be bothersome and interfere with your daily life. Fortunately, there are many ways to treat and prevent hemorrhoids at home, using simple remedies and lifestyle changes. In this blog post, we will share some of the best tips and tricks for hemorrhoid self-care, as well as answer some frequently asked questions about this condition.

Home Remedies for Hemorrhoids

If you have mild to moderate hemorrhoids, you may be able to find relief with some of these home remedies:

A warm bath or sitz bath. Soaking the affected area in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes, several times a day can help reduce inflammation and soothe irritation. You can use a sitz bath, which is a small plastic tub that fits over the toilet seat, or a regular bathtub. You can also add some Epsom salt to the water, which can help reduce pain and swelling.
A cold compress or ice pack. Applying a cold compress or an ice pack to the anus for 15 minutes at a time, several times a day can also help shrink the hemorrhoids and numb the pain. Make sure to wrap the ice in a cloth or paper towel, and do not apply it directly to the skin.
Witch hazel. Witch hazel is a natural astringent that can help reduce bleeding, itching, and inflammation caused by hemorrhoids. You can buy witch hazel in liquid form and apply it directly to the hemorrhoids with a cotton ball or a pad. You can also find witch hazel in products like wipes, creams, and suppositories.
Aloe vera. Aloe vera gel is another natural anti-inflammatory that can help heal and soothe hemorrhoids. You can use pure aloe vera gel from a plant or a bottle, and apply it to the hemorrhoids with a cotton ball or a pad. Make sure to use only pure aloe vera gel, and avoid products that contain other ingredients or additives that may irritate the skin. Also, do a patch test on your arm before using aloe vera on your anus, as some people may be allergic to it.
Over-the-counter medications. Many over-the-counter products can help relieve the symptoms of hemorrhoids, such as creams, ointments, suppositories, pads, and wipes. These products may contain ingredients like lidocaine, hydrocortisone, phenylephrine, or zinc oxide, which can help shrink the hemorrhoids, reduce inflammation, and ease pain and itching. Follow the directions on the label, and do not use them for more than a week, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

Lifestyle Changes for Hemorrhoids

In addition to using home remedies, you can also make some lifestyle changes that can help prevent and treat hemorrhoids, such as:

Eating more fiber. Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that helps soften the stool and make it easier to pass, reducing the pressure and straining that can cause hemorrhoids. Fiber also helps prevent constipation, which is a common trigger for hemorrhoids. You can get more fiber from foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds. The recommended amount of fiber for adults is 25 to 30 grams per day.
Drinking more water. Water is essential for keeping your body hydrated and your stool soft and moist, which also helps prevent constipation and hemorrhoids. Water also helps flush out toxins and waste from your body, which can improve your overall health. You should drink at least six to eight glasses of water per day, or more if you exercise or live in a hot climate.
Exercising regularly. Exercise can help improve your blood circulation, strengthen your muscles, and relieve stress, all of which can benefit your hemorrhoid condition. Exercise can also help you maintain a healthy weight, which can reduce the pressure on your pelvic and anal veins. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, such as brisk walking, cycling, swimming, or dancing.
Avoiding long periods of sitting. Sitting for too long can put pressure on your anal and rectal veins, and worsen your hemorrhoids. Try to avoid sitting for more than an hour at a time, and take frequent breaks to stand up, stretch, and walk around. You can also use a cushion or a pillow to support your buttocks and reduce the pressure on your anus when you sit.
Using the bathroom as soon as you feel the urge. Holding in your stool can cause it to harden and dry out, making it more difficult and painful to pass. This can also increase the pressure and strain that can lead to hemorrhoids. Therefore, you should go to the bathroom as soon as you feel the urge, and do not delay or ignore it. You should also avoid spending too much time on the toilet, as this can also put pressure on your anal and rectal veins.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hemorrhoids

Here are some of the most common questions that people have about hemorrhoids, and their answers:

What causes hemorrhoids? Hemorrhoids are caused by increased pressure on the veins in the lower rectum and anus, which can make them swell and bulge. This pressure can result from various factors, such as chronic constipation or diarrhea, straining during bowel movements, pregnancy, aging, obesity, anal intercourse, or a family history of hemorrhoids.
How can I tell if I have hemorrhoids? The symptoms of hemorrhoids may vary depending on their type and severity, but they may include: blood in the stool or on the toilet paper, itching or irritation in the anal area, pain or discomfort in the anal region, lumps or swelling around the anus, or fecal leakage. If you have any of these symptoms, you should see your doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
When should I see a doctor for hemorrhoids? Most hemorrhoids can be treated at home with self-care measures and over-the-counter products, and they usually go away on their own within a few weeks. However, you should see a doctor if: your hemorrhoids do not improve or get worse after a week of home treatment, you have severe pain or bleeding, you have signs of infection, such as fever, pus, or redness, or you have other medical conditions that may affect your hemorrhoid treatment, such as diabetes, liver disease, or blood disorders.
How are hemorrhoids diagnosed? Your doctor can diagnose hemorrhoids by asking you about your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle habits, and by performing a physical examination of your anus and rectum. Your doctor may also use some tests to check for the presence and severity of hemorrhoids, such as a digital rectal exam, in which your doctor inserts a gloved finger into your rectum to feel for any abnormalities, a sigmoidoscopy, in which your doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube with a light and a camera into your rectum to look for any internal hemorrhoids, or an anoscopy, in which your doctor inserts a small, rigid tube with a light and a lens into your anus to look for any external hemorrhoids.
How are hemorrhoids treated? The treatment of hemorrhoids depends on their type and severity, and your personal preference. The main goals of treatment are to relieve the symptoms, shrink the hemorrhoids, and prevent them from coming back. The treatment options may include: home remedies and lifestyle changes, as mentioned above, over-the-counter products, such as creams, ointments, suppositories, pads, and wipes, that can help reduce inflammation and ease pain and itching, prescription medications, such as oral or topical steroids, that can help reduce swelling and inflammation, or non-surgical procedures, such as rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy, infrared coagulation, or hemorrhoid stapling, that can help cut off the blood supply to the hemorrhoids and make them shrink and fall off. These procedures are usually done in the doctor’s office or an outpatient clinic, and they are less painful and invasive than surgery. However, they may not work for all types of hemorrhoids, and they may have some side effects, such as bleeding, infection, or recurrence.
What are the complications of hemorrhoids? Hemorrhoids are not life-threatening, but they can cause some complications if left untreated, such as anemia, which is a condition in which your blood does not have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to your tissues, and it can result from chronic or severe bleeding from hemorrhoids, thrombosed hemorrhoids, which are hemorrhoids that develop a blood clot inside them, and they can cause severe pain, swelling, and inflammation. Thrombosed hemorrhoids usually need to be drained by a doctor, or they may resolve on their own within a few weeks, but they may leave a skin tag behind, or surgery, which is the most effective and permanent way to get rid of hemorrhoids, especially if they are large, prolapsed, or recurrent. Surgery involves removing the hemorrhoids under general or local anesthesia, and it can be done using various techniques, such as hemorrhoidectomy, hemorrhoidopexy, or hemorrhoidal artery ligation. Surgery has a high success rate, but it also has some risks, such as bleeding, infection, pain, urinary retention, or anal stenosis.

How to Prevent Hemorrhoids

The best way to prevent hemorrhoids is to avoid the factors that can cause or worsen them, such as constipation, straining, sitting for too long, or being overweight. You can also follow these tips to prevent hemorrhoids:

Eat a balanced and healthy diet. A diet that is rich in fiber, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats can help you maintain a healthy weight, prevent constipation, and promote your digestive health. You should also limit your intake of processed foods, refined sugars, saturated fats, and alcohol, as they can contribute to inflammation, obesity, and dehydration.
Drink plenty of fluids. Fluids can help you stay hydrated, soften your stool, and prevent constipation and hemorrhoids. You should drink at least six to eight glasses of water per day, or more if you exercise or live in a hot climate. You should also avoid drinks that can dehydrate you, such as coffee, tea, soda, or alcohol.
Exercise regularly. Exercise can help you improve your blood circulation, strengthen your muscles, and relieve stress, all of which can benefit your hemorrhoid condition. Exercise can also help you maintain a healthy weight, which can reduce the pressure on your pelvic and anal veins. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, such as brisk walking, cycling, swimming, or dancing.
Practice good hygiene. Keeping your anal area clean and dry can help prevent irritation, infection, and inflammation that can worsen your hemorrhoids. You should wash your anal area with warm water and mild soap after every bowel movement, and gently pat it dry with a soft towel or a hair dryer. You should also avoid using toilet paper, wipes, or products that contain alcohol, perfume, or dye, as they can irritate the skin. You can use moistened cotton balls, pads, or tissues instead.
Use proper toilet habits. Using the toilet properly can also help prevent hemorrhoids, as well as other problems like anal fissures or fistulas. You should go to the bathroom as soon as you feel the urge, and do not delay or ignore it. You should also avoid spending too much time on the toilet, as this can also put pressure on your anal and rectal veins. You should also avoid straining, pushing, or holding your breath during bowel movements, as this can increase the pressure and damage the veins. You should also avoid lifting heavy objects, coughing, or sneezing while on the toilet, as this can also cause strain .

Conclusion

Hemorrhoids are a common and annoying condition that can affect anyone, but they are not dangerous or life-threatening. They can be treated and prevented with simple home remedies and lifestyle changes, such as warm baths, cold compresses, witch hazel, aloe vera, over-the-counter products, fiber, water, exercise, hygiene, and toilet habits. However, if your hemorrhoids are severe, persistent, or complicated, you should see a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment, which may include prescription medications, non-surgical procedures, or surgery. By following these tips and tricks, you can take care of your hemorrhoids at home, and enjoy a more comfortable and pain-free life.