If you have recently discovered that you have hemorrhoids, you are not alone. Nearly 75% of Americans experience hemorrhoids at some point in their life. Hemorrhoids, sometimes called piles, are swollen veins in your anus and rectum. Common symptoms can include pain, itching, and rectal bleeding. They can develop inside or outside of the anus and rectum, called internal and external hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids usually go away on its own without any treatment. However, sometimes medication or even surgery is necessary to help take away the discomfort of hemorrhoids. In this article, I’m going to go over tips for how to treat hemorrhoids at home. Hopefully, this article will answer all of your questions. Let’s get started.
How To Treat Hemorrhoids At Home
1. Witch Hazel
Witch hazel can reduce both itching and pain, which are the two main symptoms of hemorrhoids. It’s a natural anti-inflammatory, so it could also reduce swelling. You can purchase witch hazel in the liquid form, as well as in anti-itch wipes and soaps. Consider which type will work best for you.
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2. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is known for treating a number of skin issues, including rashes. While there isn’t much clinical evidence that Aloe Vera helps with hemorrhoids, many people swear by this treatment. You can either grow your own Aloe Vera plant, or you can purchase Aloe Vera gel. The gel can be found as an ingredient in other products, but you should only use pure Aloe Vera gel on hemorrhoids. Keep in mind that many people are allergic to Aloe Vera, particularly those who are allergic to garlic or onions. Before applying Aloe Vera, rub a dime-sized amount on your forearm. Wait 24 to 48 hours. If no reaction occurs, it should be safe to use.
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3. Cold Compresses
Another great treatment is to apply cold compresses to your hemorrhoids. Apply ice packs or cold compresses to the anus to relieve swelling for 15 minutes at a time. For large, painful hemorrhoids, this can be a very effective treatment. Always wrap ice inside a cloth or paper towel, and never apply something frozen directly to the skin.
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4. Loose, Cotton Clothing
Instead of wearing tight clothes made with polyester, try wearing loose, cotton clothing instead. Loose, cotton clothing can help keep the anal area both clean and dry, which will reduce further problems. Avoid using perfumed detergents or fabric softeners to reduce irritation. For tips on choosing the best laundry detergent, check out our article here.
5. Epsom Salt In Warm Water
Epsom salt is often used on skin rashes, which makes it the perfect remedy for treating hemorrhoids at home. In addition to the Epsom salt helping, warm baths can help soothe the irritation from hemorrhoids. Taking a warm bath for 20 minutes after every bowel movement will be most effective. While a warm bath will help, it is the Epsom salt that will help cure your hemorrhoids.
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6. Turmeric
This natural ingredient is known for its antibiotic properties and can be used to heal hemorrhoids. To use turmeric for treating hemorrhoids, mix turmeric with mustard oil and a bit of onion juice. Apply this paste to the infected areas for immediate relief.
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7. Goat Milk
Goat milk is another great home remedy for treating hemorrhoids. Because it may be difficult to find goat milk in the form of liquid at stores, you may need to use powdered goat milk. Mix 10 grams of ground mustard to 10 tablespoons of goat milk. Drink this mixture before breakfast to see a significant change in inflammation and pain.
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8. Hemorrhoid Cream
Over-the-counter hemorrhoid treatments can often be very helpful. Hemorrhoid cream is designed specifically for hemorrhoid. Because it is made for hemorrhoids, it is guaranteed to help with your hemorrhoids.
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9. Hemorrhoid Wipes
Hemorrhoid wipes, also called hemorrhoid pads, are once again made specifically for hemorrhoids. They are different from regular wipes because they are much softer and gentle on the skin. They usually contain a treatment such as Aloe Vera or witch hazel.
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10. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar can be used to cure almost anything, making it a great option for treating hemorrhoids. It reduces the pain, swelling, and itching that hemorrhoids bring. You can either pour a little onto a wipe, or you can take an apple cider vinegar bath. Keep in mind that apple cider vinegar may burn your skin, so be careful when using it. Only try a little apple cider vinegar at first, because too much of it could cause further damage.
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11. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil for hemorrhoids is a great essential oil for hemorrhoids. This essential oil for hemorrhoids helps reduce itchiness and swelling. Keep in mind that not many studies have been done on tea tree oil for helping hemorrhoids. Therefore, it is unknown if this is as effective as other treatment options.
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12. Sit On Cushions Instead Of Hard Surfaces
Sit on cushions rather than hard surfaces to help lessen the swelling of hemorrhoids and keep new ones from forming. While this isn’t necessarily a treatment, it is helpful when you have hemorrhoids.
13. Ginger
A combination of ginger, mint, and fresh lemon juice can be consumed daily for great relief from hemorrhoids. Add a little honey to the mixture to make it more effective. This is a great treatment for postpartum hemorrhoids, but they work for anybody with hemorrhoids.
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14. Onions
Take one piece of red onion and chop it finely. Add sugar to it and consume this mixture twice a day to reduce nerve irritation. The bleeding will reduce, as will the irritation.
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How To Prevent Hemorrhoids
The best ways to prevent hemorrhoids are to maintain a healthy diet and to exercise regularly. Eat lots of high-fiber foods (especially from plants) and drink plenty of water to keep the digestive process moving correctly and prevent constipation. Regular exercise and avoiding sitting for long periods of time can also help prevent hemorrhoids. The most effective way to avoid constipation is to go to the bathroom as soon as you feel the urge. Waiting too long can cause constipation, which in turn will cause hemorrhoids.
What To Do When You Have Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy
Hemorrhoids during pregnancy are extremely common. It is even more common to get hemorrhoids after birth if you decide to have a vaginal birth. If you have had hemorrhoids before, there is a good chance you’ll have them again during pregnancy. As your unborn baby grows, your uterus gets bigger and begins to press against your pelvis. This growth puts a lot of pressure on the veins near your anus and rectum, and these veins may become swollen and painful as a result. If you experience hemorrhoids during pregnancy, you can use the home remedies that I gave above.
Another helpful treatment for hemorrhoids during pregnancy is to do Kegel exercises. If you take Lamaze classes, you will probably learn about Kegel exercises. Kegel exercises can be done in two different ways. You can either hold the pelvic floor muscles or quickly contract them. For the slow Kegels, contract the pelvic floor muscle and hold for 10 seconds. Then relax, and repeat ten times. For fast Kegels, quickly contract and relax your pelvic floor muscle 50 times. Relax for 5 seconds and repeat up to 4 times. Once you know how to do Kegel exercises, you can do them almost anywhere, whether it’s at home, in your car, or at your office.
When To See A Doctor
Usually, hemorrhoids will go away after you treat them with home remedies. However, if there is no improvement or if things become worse, it is best if you visit a doctor. Chronic blood loss from hemorrhoids could cause anemia, which is a shortage of red blood cells. Internal hemorrhoids can also have their blood supply cut off, resulting in strangulated hemorrhoids, which can cause extreme pain.
If home treatments haven’t been effective after more than two weeks, make an appointment to see your doctor. Your primary care physician can diagnose and treat hemorrhoids. They can write prescriptions for medicated creams, ointments, and suppositories.
If these treatments don’t work, they may recommend treatments like rubber band litigation or surgery to remove the hemorrhoids. You should also make an appointment to see your doctor right away if you notice rectal bleeding for the first time or if your rectal bleeding increases.
Final Thoughts
I hope this article on how to treat hemorrhoids at home was helpful to you. Hemorrhoids are such a painful symptom. It usually goes away on its on, but due to its painfulness, you will probably want to treat it. In this article on how to treat hemorrhoids at home, I went over 14 of the best home remedies to treat hemorrhoids. If you don’t notice a difference or if your hemorrhoids get worse, you should visit a doctor. Your doctor can give you hemorrhoid medication, and if that doesn’t work, you may need surgery done. Whether you have postpartum hemorrhoids or you have hemorrhoids for no apparent reason, they should be easy to treat. I hope this article on how to treat hemorrhoids at home will help you when treating hemorrhoids.
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