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Lifestyle and home remedies
By Mayo Clinic staffYou can temporarily relieve the mild pain, swelling and inflammation of most hemorrhoidal flare-ups with the following self-care measures:
- Use topical treatments. Apply an over-the-counter hemorrhoid cream or suppository containing hydrocortisone, or use pads containing witch hazel or a topical numbing agent.
- Keep the anal area clean. Bathe (preferably) or shower daily to cleanse the skin around your anus gently with warm water. Soap isn't necessary and may aggravate the problem. Gently drying the area with a hair dryer after bathing can minimize moisture, which can cause irritation.
- Soak regularly in a warm bath. Do this several times daily.
- Apply cold. Apply ice packs or cold compresses on the anus to relieve swelling.
- Use a sitz bath with warm water. A sitz bath fits over the toilet. You can get one at a medical supply store or some pharmacies.
- Don't use dry toilet paper. Instead, to help keep the anal area clean after a bowel movement, use moist towelettes or wet toilet paper that doesn't contain perfume or alcohol.
- Take oral medications. You can use acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) temporarily to help relieve your discomfort.
These self-care measures may relieve the symptoms, but they won't make the hemorrhoid disappear. See your doctor if you don't get relief in a few days, or sooner if you have severe pain or bleeding.
- Hemorrhoids. American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons. http://www.fascrs.org/patients/conditions/hemorrhoids. Accessed Dec. 1, 2008.
- Hemorrhoids. American Gastroenterological Association. http://www.gastro.org/frame-templates/print_template.cfm. Accessed Dec. 1, 2008.
- Hemorrhoids. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hemorrhoids. Accessed Dec. 1, 2008.
- Kaidar-Person O, et al. Hemorrhoidal disease: A comprehensive review. Journal of the American College of Surgeons. 2007;204:102.
- Bleday R. Patient information: Hemorrhoids. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 16, 2008.
- Acheson AG, et al. Management of haemorrhoids. British Medical Journal. 2008;336:380.
- Bleday R, et al. Clinical features of hemorrhoids. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 17, 2008.
- Cataldo P, et al. Practice parameters for the management of hemorrhoids (revised). Diseases of the Colon and Rectum. 2005;48:189.
- Bleday R, et al. Treatment of hemorrhoids. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 17, 2008.
