Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHome RemediesLifestyle ChangesOTC and Prescription DrugsWhen to Seek Medical HelpTypes of Medical TreatmentsNext in Hemorrhoids Guide7 Self-Care Tips for Coping With Hemorrhoids
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Home Remedies
Lifestyle Changes
OTC and Prescription Drugs
When to Seek Medical Help
Types of Medical Treatments
Next in Hemorrhoids Guide
There are many effective home remedies and over-the-counter (OTC) treatments that can relieve thesymptomsand resolve theunderlying causesof hemorrhoids.
External hemorrhoids (occurring outside of the rectum) tend to cause pain and itching, while internal hemorrhoids (occurring inside the rectum) are typically painless but can causerectal bleeding.
Treatments may include:
If these measures don’t work, a healthcare provider can suggest other options. In some cases, a medical procedure may be necessary to resolve hemorrhoids.
This article describes home remedies, lifestyle measures, and over-the-counter products that can help ease the symptoms of hemorrhoids. It also explains the types of procedures that may be needed if conservative measures fail to provide relief.
Verywell / Cindy Chung
Natural Remedies
Some common treatments include:
Sitz Baths
A sitz bath involves sitting in a shallow tub of warm water (or a bath) for 10 to 20 minutes to reduce itching and irritation. Baking soda or Epsom salts can be added to reduce inflammation. A mixture of 2 tablespoons each of Epsom salt and glycerin can also be applied to painful areas and then rinsed off in a sitz bath after 15 minutes.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazelis a naturalastringentthat can help relieve minor bleeding and prevent infection. You can dab it on gently with a cotton ball or even add a couple of tablespoons to a sitz bath.
Natural Treatments
Aloe vera gel,vitamin E oil, andcoconut oilcan be applied to the skin to help soothe and shrink minor hemorrhoids.
Ice Therapy
Anice packcan relieve inflammation and pain but should never be used for longer than 15 to 20 minutes. Anything longer can lead to frostbite.
Home remedies, along with OTC and prescription medications, are intended to relieve the symptoms of hemorrhoids and may shrink them. Some may go away on their own.
Home Remedies for Hemorrhoids That Work
Simple lifestyle measures can prevent and treat hemorrhoids:
Careful Hygiene
High Fiber Diet
A diet rich insoluble fibercan help relieveconstipationand prevent hemorrhoids from returning. Soluble fiber dissolves in water and forms a gel-like goo that helps ease the passing of stools. By making stools soft, there is less chance of rectal pain or bleeding.
Try to consume between 25 and 35 grams of fiber daily to keep your bowel movements regular.
Excellent sources of insoluble fiber include:
It’s also important to drink plenty of water to help the fiber in your diet work better and to help keep stools soft.
Fiber supplementscontaining psyllium, methylcellulose, or calcium polycarbophil can also help.
Fruits That Are Easier to Digest
OTC Medications
Pain Relievers
Oralnonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)such as Aleve (naproxen) or Advil (ibuprofen) are highly effective in reducing the pain and swelling of mild-to-moderate hemorrhoids.
Topical Creams
NSAIDs are a good, first-line defense against hemorrhoid pain and inflammation. But if these fail to provide relief, hemorrhoid creams can be used to actively shrink inflamed tissues.
OTC and prescription options include:
The 7 Best OTC Hemorrhoid Treatments
Stool Softeners
As their name suggests,stool softenersare OTC products that soften stools and help relieve constipation. They are also commonly known asemollient laxatives.
Stool softeners contain the active ingredientdocusate sodiumand are sold under various brand names, including Colace, Correctol, Diocto, Doxinate, Dulcoease, Ex-Lax Stool Softener, Fleet Sof-Lax, Modane Soft, Phillips' Stool Softener, and Surfak.
Stool softeners take at least a couple of days to take effect.
How Stool Softeners Work
Do Hemorrhoids Go Away on Their Own?
Hemorrhoids tend to be more aggravating than anything else and are usually relieved with home remedies and/or medications.
You should seek immediate medical care if a hemorrhoid:
While complications are rare, they can and do occur sometimes. At the same time, other conditions can mimic hemorrhoids and be potentially serious, including ananal or rectal abscessor evencolorectal cancer.
When home remedies or medications are not effective in relieving hemorrhoids, a minimally invasive medical procedure or surgery may be necessary.
Non-Surgical Procedures
Several minimally invasive in-office procedures can be used to treat larger or severe hemorrhoids. These include:
Hemorrhoids Doctor Discussion GuideGet our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.Download PDFEmail AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
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Surgery
Surgeryis reserved for only the most severe cases, including hemorrhoids that havethrombosed(filled with blood) orprolapsed(slipped outside of the anal canal).
Surgical options include:
How to Prepare for Hemorrhoid Surgery
Summary
Hemorrhoids can be treated with home remedies, diet, OTC painkillers, and topical medications that actively shrink inflamed tissues. If these don’t work, a medical procedure or surgery may be necessary.
A Word From VerywellWhile discussing hemorrhoidal symptoms with your healthcare provider can be embarrassing and uncomfortable, there are a number of treatments, both medical and surgical, that can provide long-term relief. Don’t be afraid to discuss your symptoms with your provider to get the best possible treatment.—JAY N. YEPURI, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
While discussing hemorrhoidal symptoms with your healthcare provider can be embarrassing and uncomfortable, there are a number of treatments, both medical and surgical, that can provide long-term relief. Don’t be afraid to discuss your symptoms with your provider to get the best possible treatment.—JAY N. YEPURI, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
While discussing hemorrhoidal symptoms with your healthcare provider can be embarrassing and uncomfortable, there are a number of treatments, both medical and surgical, that can provide long-term relief. Don’t be afraid to discuss your symptoms with your provider to get the best possible treatment.
—JAY N. YEPURI, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.Hemorrhoids.Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School.Hemorrhoids and what to do about them.American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.Hemorrhoids.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, diet, and nutrition for hemorrhoids.Lorenc Z, Gökçe Ö.Tribenoside and lidocaine in the local treatment of hemorrhoids: an overview of clinical evidence.Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci.2016 Jun;20(12):2742-51.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment of Hemorrhoids.Keck Medicine of USC.Is it hemorrhoids or colon cancer?Additional ReadingSun Z, Migaly J.Review of hemorrhoid disease: Presentation and management.Clin Colon Rectal Surg.2016;29(1):22-29. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1568144
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.Hemorrhoids.Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School.Hemorrhoids and what to do about them.American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.Hemorrhoids.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, diet, and nutrition for hemorrhoids.Lorenc Z, Gökçe Ö.Tribenoside and lidocaine in the local treatment of hemorrhoids: an overview of clinical evidence.Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci.2016 Jun;20(12):2742-51.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment of Hemorrhoids.Keck Medicine of USC.Is it hemorrhoids or colon cancer?Additional ReadingSun Z, Migaly J.Review of hemorrhoid disease: Presentation and management.Clin Colon Rectal Surg.2016;29(1):22-29. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1568144
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.Hemorrhoids.Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School.Hemorrhoids and what to do about them.American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.Hemorrhoids.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, diet, and nutrition for hemorrhoids.Lorenc Z, Gökçe Ö.Tribenoside and lidocaine in the local treatment of hemorrhoids: an overview of clinical evidence.Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci.2016 Jun;20(12):2742-51.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment of Hemorrhoids.Keck Medicine of USC.Is it hemorrhoids or colon cancer?
American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.Hemorrhoids.
Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School.Hemorrhoids and what to do about them.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, diet, and nutrition for hemorrhoids.
Lorenc Z, Gökçe Ö.Tribenoside and lidocaine in the local treatment of hemorrhoids: an overview of clinical evidence.Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci.2016 Jun;20(12):2742-51.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment of Hemorrhoids.
Keck Medicine of USC.Is it hemorrhoids or colon cancer?
Sun Z, Migaly J.Review of hemorrhoid disease: Presentation and management.Clin Colon Rectal Surg.2016;29(1):22-29. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1568144
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