How to Find Relief From Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids commonly happen late in pregnancy.

Hemorrhoids are a very common ailment in which large bumps or lumps form just inside or outside of your rectum. Although common among pregnant women hemorrhoids can develop in anyone of any age and can present with light bleeding in the rectal area along with pain, swelling and itch. Relief from hemorrhoids can be found at home with some over-the-counter remedies and a few simple steps.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Hydrocortisone hemorrhoid cream
• Pillow
• Baby wipes
• Plastic sandwich bags or large ice packs

1. Fill your bathtub with some warm water and soak your bottom half for 15 minutes in the morning. Shower or bathe as you regularly would and wash the rectal area with water. Pat dry and air dry for 10 minutes before putting on clothing. Repeat at night before bed.

2. Do not eat spicy foods until your hemorrhoids are gone. Spicy food will only agitate the area when when you are making a bowel movement. Also stay away from alcohol and caffeine which can make bowels harder to move.

3. Spread a thin layer of hydrocortisone hemorrhoid cream to the rectal area where bumps are present. Reapply as directed by the specific brand as needed to help relieve itch. Always apply the cream to a clean rectal area.

4. Sit on a pillow whenever possible when you sit. A pillow will soften the pressure placed on your behind when you are seated. Pharmacies sell pillows made specifically for seating that are easily inflatable to take with you on the go.

5. Use unscented, alcohol-free baby wipes following bowel movements and do not use regular toilet paper around the rectal area until hemorrhoids have cleared up. Regular toilet paper is too harsh for this delicate area and will only make hemorrhoids worse.

6. Freeze a bag of water or purchase large ice packs and sit on them to help alleviate itch and swelling. Do this as needed for itch relief. To make ice packs at home fill a large sealable sandwich bag with water; then place it in a larger sealable sandwich bag and lay it out flat in your freezer to freeze for two to three hours.

Tips & Warnings

• A product called CLENZONE is available at certain health stores. This is a little appliance which attaches to the toilet seat and squirts a thin stream of water into the rectum area after every bowel movement. It serves to cleanse and soothes the area.

• Always have hemorrhoids diagnosed by your doctor if this is your first time dealing with them, as there may be a serious underlying cause.

• If hemorrhoids do not go away after a week of treating them see your doctor.

References

• Mayo Clinic: Hemorrhoids: Lifestyle And Home Remedies
• Hemorrhoid Relief: 5 Things You Should Never Do When Treating Hemorrhoids