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This article was medically reviewed by Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS and by wikiHow staff writer, Jessica Gibson. Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.
There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Hemorrhoids (piles) can happen to anyone at any age. These uncomfortable enlarged veins can be found inside or externally around the anus. Hemorrhoids are caused by increased pressure on your pelvic and rectal veins, usually linked to constipation, diarrhea, or straining to pass a stool. In some cases, hemorrhoids can be caused by obesity, lifting heavy objects, or from the strain of pregnancy which applies pressure to the veins of the lower abdomen. Fortunately, external hemorrhoids can usually be taken care of without seeing a doctor. There are several things you can do to help relieve the pain, discomfort, and itching of hemorrhoids.
Steps
Part 1
Part 1 of 3:
Pain Relief
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1Take a warm bath. Soaking in warm water can relieve hemorrhoid pain. Run a full bath or sitz bath (a small basin that fits over your toilet, allowing you to soak your anal area). Keep the water warm and add 1 cup of epsom salts to a full bathtub or 2 to 3 tablespoons of salts to the sitz bath. You can soak two to three times a day.[1]
- If you have hemorrhoids, you need to keep the area clean. Be gentle when showering, bathing, or using the toilet. You don't need to use soap, since it may irritate the area. You can apply Cetaphil lotion to calm the area without causing more irritation. Pat yourself dry with a clean towel[2]
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2Use a compress. To numb the pain, apply a cold ice pack or cold compress. Take a clean cotton washcloth and soak it in cold water. Apply the compress to your hemorrhoid for about 10 to 15 minutes. You can do this frequently throughout the day.[3]
- If you're using an ice pack, place a cloth between the ice pack and your exposed skin. Applying ice directly to the skin can damage your tissue.
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3Use pain and itch-relieving gels or lotions. After soaking and drying the hemorrhoid, apply a small amount of aloe vera gel, or anti-itch lotion. Look for something containing petroleum jelly, mineral oil, shark liver oil and phenylephrine. The phenylephrine acts as a decongestant and helps shrink the hemorrhoid. You can also use Aloe Vera gel to soothe hemorrhoids.[4]
- If the hemorrhoids are very painful or uncomfortable, apply a bit of baby teething gel to the area. Teething gels contain a local anesthetic that can reduce pain and discomfort.
- Avoid using steroid creams because they can damage the delicate tissue around a hemorrhoid.
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4Relieve hemorrhoid symptoms with an astringent. Take a cotton pad and soak it in witch hazel. Place it on the hemorrhoid after you have a bowel movement. Repeat this as often as you need to, at least four or five times a day. Alternatively, place it on a pad in your underwear for longer lasting relief.[5]
- Witch hazel can relieve itching, discomfort, irritation, and burning caused by hemorrhoids. It may also reduce swelling.[6]
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:
Diet and Lifestyle
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1Eat more fiber. Slowly add fiber to your diet, increasing in small increments since it may cause gas or bloating. While everyone needs a different amount of fiber based on calories consumed, try to get 25 grams (0.88 oz) of fiber a day if you're a female or 30 grams (1.1 oz) of fiber a day if you're a male. Fiber will soften your stools, making them easier to pass. Different fibers have different effects on your body, so aim to include more wheat bran fibers and other cereals, which are the fibers that affect stool softness.[7]
- Fiber supplements can reduce hemorrhoid bleeding, irritation, and inflammation.
- If you feel bloated or gassy, you may be eating too much fiber.
- You can increase your fiber by choosing whole grains, fruits with the peel or rind, leafy greens, beans, and legumes
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2Eat smaller meals and drink water. Choose more nutritious, smaller meals and eat throughout the day. This will give your digestive system a chance to process the food and give your body the nutrition it needs to heal the hemorrhoid. Drink plenty of water throughout the day.[8]
- Fluid keeps your stools softer making them easier to pass.
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3Exercise regularly. Choose low-impact exercises like swimming, dancing, yoga, and walking, but avoid activities that can cause straining, such as weight-lifting. Low-impact activities have an anti-inflammatory effect on your body, which can help relieve hemorrhoid symptoms. It also keeps your body systems healthy and your bowels moving.[9]
- Try pelvic floor exercises.
- Exercise also reduces pressure on your veins which may be contributing to hemorrhoid pain.
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4Reduce the pressure when you sit. It may be helpful to purchase a foam cushion or a doughnut cushion to sit on. This can help relieve some of the pressure. Avoid sitting directly on hard surfaces.
- Direct pressure on the hemorrhoid can increase swelling and even cause new hemorrhoids.
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5Use the restroom on a regular basis. If it's possible, try to use the bathroom without interruptions at the same time every day. If you pass bowel movements regularly, it will reduce your need to strain.[10] Regular bowel movements are a great indicator of overall good health.
- Don't strain or push too hard. Let gravity help, but allow your bowels to do most of the work. If nothing happens, wait an hour or so and try again.
- It may also help to place your feet on a small stool so that your knees are higher than your hips.[11]
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:
Treatment
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1Choose the correct laxative. Passing stools regularly is important when you have hemorrhoids. Avoid straining since this commonly causes hemorrhoids. Instead, choose a bulk laxative or stool softener to temporarily use. Bulk laxatives can soften your stools and reduce the pressure needed to pass the stool which will help the hemorrhoid start to shrink. While your stools should be regular because of the fiber in your diet, you can choose one of the following laxatives:[12]
- Bulk laxatives: These contain fiber (usually psyllium) to increase the mass or weight of the stool, helping it move through the bowels.
- Stool softeners: These soften the stools by adding moisture which should make them easier to pass. Most stool softeners contain docusate, which is what adds the moisture to soften the stool.
- Lubricant laxatives: These lubricate the walls of the intestines and rectum, making the stool pass easier. Most lubricant laxatives contain mineral oil. They are usually safe when taken for short periods of time, but are not recommended for long-term use.
- Avoid stimulant laxatives that include senna, cascara, aloe, or bisacodyl. They work by irritating the interior of the bowel, which is not helpful when you have hemorrhoids.
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2Look for signs of external hemorrhoids. The most common symptom of external hemorrhoids is bleeding and discomfort during a bowel movement. You may first notice external hemorrhoids when you clean yourself after using the restroom. A hemorrhoid will be a tender swelling around your anus often about the size and shape of a grape when it first appears. It can also be itchy and painful. Commonly, people notice blood on the toilet paper or in the toilet bowl.[13]
- If you're unsure if you have internal or external hemorrhoids, consider what you can feel. You won’t usually feel internal hemorrhoids, but they can bulge through the anal opening. Typically internal hemorrhoids have few symptoms other than bleeding with bowel movements.
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3Know when to see a doctor. Most external hemorrhoids go away or at least shrink within two to three days. If you still have hemorrhoids after three to five days, call your physician. You should also contact your doctor if the area is painful or bleeds. Your doctor can diagnose internal or external hemorrhoids by doing a rectal exam.[14]
- If rectal bleeding is not caused by a hemorrhoid, your doctor will probably recommend a more extensive test called a sigmoidoscopy or a colonoscopy because one of the symptoms of colon cancer is rectal bleeding.
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4Get medical treatment. If your hemorrhoids don't respond to basic home care or resolve on their own, your doctor may recommend a minimally invasive surgery. The most common approaches include:[15]
- Ligation: A rubber band is tied around the base of the hemorrhoid to cut off blood flow.
- Injection (sclerotherapy): A chemical solution designed to shrink the hemorrhoid is injected.
- Cauterization: The hemorrhoid is burned away.
- Hemorrhoidectomy: The hemorrhoid is surgically removed in this outpatient procedure (although it sometimes requires an overnight hospital stay).
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Warnings
- Stimulant laxatives can be habit forming and can also weaken the bowels, potentially leading to chronic constipation.[16]⧼thumbs_response⧽
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References
- ↑ https://www.saintlukeskc.org/health-library/taking-sitz-bath
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0072650/
- ↑ https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/hemorrhoids
- ↑ https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=346&showFR=1
- ↑ https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=346&showFR=1
- ↑ https://www.drugs.com/drp/tucks-pre-moistened-pads.html
- ↑ https://thrive.kaiserpermanente.org/care-near-you/northern-california/gsaa/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2015/11/5272-Hemmeroids_tcm28-552980.pdf
- ↑ https://healthyhorns.utexas.edu/HT/HT_hemorrhoids.html
- ↑ https://thrive.kaiserpermanente.org/care-near-you/northern-california/gsaa/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2015/11/5272-Hemmeroids_tcm28-552980.pdf
- ↑ http://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/hemorrhoids_and_what_to_do_about_them
- ↑ http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Constipation/Pages/Treatment.aspx
- ↑ https://familydoctor.org/condition/hemorrhoids/
- ↑ http://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/hemorrhoids_and_what_to_do_about_them
- ↑ https://familydoctor.org/condition/hemorrhoids/
- ↑ https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/hemorrhoids
- ↑ https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn/general-information/laxative-abuse
About This Article
Article SummaryX
To get rid of external hemorrhoids fast, apply a cold compress to the area for 10-15 minutes at a time to reduce the swelling. You can also apply aloe vera gel or anti-itch lotion to the area to soothe your skin. If you’re experiencing pain when you sit down, consider purchasing a donut pillow to sit on to make yourself more comfortable. As your hemorrhoids heal, work on eating small meals and drinking plenty of water so your stools will be easier to pass. Additionally, try to get regular, low-impact exercise, such as swimming, dancing, and yoga, which can lessen hemorrhoid pain. To learn how to tell if you need to see a doctor for your hemorrhoids, read more from our Medical co-author.
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Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
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