Hemorrhoid Cream 101: A Guide to Using Hemorrhoid Creams for Fast Relief

How effective is hemorrhoid cream as it pertains to helping you with your pain, discomfort, and symptoms? It's common questions like these that hemorrhoid sufferers are asking and seeking answers for.

In this guide, you'll have the opportunity to learn everything you need to know about hemorrhoid creams and how they can help you.

Hemorrhoids are a common, yet uncomfortable condition that affects many adults.

If you have hemorrhoids, you may be wondering if hemorrhoid cream works. When hemorrhoids become painful, itchy, or bleed, hemorrhoid creams are available to reduce symptoms and they can certainly help the pain.

To determine what hemorrhoid creams would be best for you, it's important that you understand how hemorrhoid creams work and how to use them.

(1) How Hemorrhoid Cream Works

Hemorrhoid medications come in cream, wipe or suppository form.

The best hemorrhoid creams combine active ingredients to alleviate the bothersome symptoms of external hemorrhoids.

If you are looking for a great alternative for hemorrhoid relief, try HemRid Hemorrhoid Supplement.

HemRid contains natural ingredients that work to provide pain relief from the inside out. 

(2) Common Ingredients In Hemorrhoid Creams

• Local anesthetics that temporarily numb the nerve endings that cause pain, itching, and burning in symptomatic hemorrhoids.
• Vasoconstrictors which are chemicals that make the blood vessels smaller in the affected area and reduce swelling.
• Protectants to prevent irritation by creating a protective barrier over the skin. The barrier keeps irritants from causing hemorrhoids to become more painful or irritated.
• Astringents like witch hazel work for hemorrhoids by cooling and calming the area and help to relieve itching, pain, or burning.
• Analgesics that provide a cooling sensation to depress the pain receptors and provide relief from pain, burning, and itching.
• Corticosteroids like hydrocortisone to reduce swelling or inflammation.
• Antiseptics to inhibit the growth of infectious bacteria.
• Most creams contain a moisturizer to help hydrate the skin and prevent itching.

Hemorrhoid cream can be applied around the outside of your anus with your finger.

For internal use, hemorrhoid creams come with an applicator with a rounded tip.

The applicator is inserted into the rectum and squeezed to distribute the cream in the affected area.

The applicator is particularly effective for internal hemorrhoids.

(3) Does Hemorrhoid Cream Help?

Yes, hemorrhoid cream can be an extremely helpful way of alleviating symptoms commonly experienced by particularly painful hemorrhoids. 

Doctors will often recommend the use of creams to aid in the relief of hemorrhoid symptoms.  Some creams have a numbing agent that can null the painful presence of external hemorrhoids. 

This will make the few days of having external hemorrhoids tolerable until they subside on their own.

Hemorrhoid creams do not make the hemorrhoids disappear quicker but they do contain anti-inflammatory agents that can provide immediate relief. 

Hemorrhoid creams also promote personal hygiene, which can be helpful during flare-ups. 

Using creams as this temporary relief method can make daily activities such as exercise, sitting, and picking up heavier objects more comfortable.

(4) Common Hemorrhoid Cream Side Effects

As with any topical medication, the risk of using certain creams to treat hemorrhoids is typically when your skin has an adverse reaction to it. 

Mainly, this is an allergic reaction to creams, specifically ingredients used in the creams. 

Consult your doctor before trying any creams for hemorrhoid treatments. 

Using creams for hemorrhoids is considered by doctors as low risk and most of the time does not result in any dangerous side effects.

Even after talking with your doctor, it is important that you test the cream in an inconspicuous place first before applying them on the sensitive external hemorrhoids, as this could result in further inflammation and discomfort. 

Be sure to read the entire label before use, including the list of ingredients used in the cream.

(5) Is Hemorrhoid Cream Supposed to Burn?

Common side effects of using hemorrhoid creams include mild rectal pain or burning. 

Inform your doctor if you experience burning using hemorrhoid cream. 

Be sure to check out our hemorrhoid pain guide, which details exactly how to deal with hemorrhoid pain. It's a great guide that can help give you some ideas to relieve your pain.

Sometimes, an application of cream or ointment will make hemorrhoids itch.

Does Hemorrhoid Cream Shrink Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids tend to shrink on their own, regardless of what creams are applied, but this shouldn't downplay the effectiveness of well-formulated hemorrhoid cream.  

By working to subside hemorrhoid symptoms, you will experience less aggravation of the anorectal area, and this can help prevent any irritation that may prolong the hemorrhoid's presence.

(6) Does Hemorrhoid Cream Get Rid of Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoid cream is a common treatment for problem hemorrhoids, but it is only a temporary solution.

These creams are intended to reduce the symptoms that cause hemorrhoids and relieve irritation.

While hemorrhoid creams do not make hemorrhoids go away, they reduce the symptoms enough for your body to heal.

Extended use of over-the-counter hemorrhoid creams can be dangerous.

If symptoms haven’t cleared up in a week, it is important to contact a hemorrhoid doctor.

(7) Can Preparation H Get Rid of Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are chronic, therefore, they don’t go away entirely.

Hemorrhoid flare-ups can come and go.

The goal in treating hemorrhoids is to reduce the risk of occurrence. Preparation H has many different hemorrhoid products that treat your symptoms based on their severity.

They are designed to relieve the symptoms of burning, itching, and discomfort.

They also reduce internal swelling.

Using Preparation H the right way can help reduce the symptoms of your hemorrhoids.

Preparation H hemorrhoid cream is a very common treatment method for hemorrhoids after pregnancy.

(8) Can You Use Diaper Rash Cream on Hemorrhoids?

Diaper rash creams have been used on hemorrhoids.

Diaper rash cream contains Zinc Oxide which has the same properties as antiseptic and astringents, two common ingredients in hemorrhoid creams.

It helps reduce inflammation and eliminate hemorrhoid itching and burning.

It also has a skin protectant and moisturizer to reduce the effects of itching and create a protective barrier on the skin surrounding your hemorrhoid.

If you're interested in learning more about Desitin, check out our Preparation H vs Desitin post!

(9) How Long Does Hemorrhoid Cream Take to Work? How Fast Does Hemorrhoid Cream Work?

Because hemorrhoid creams are applied topically, the skin immediately absorbs them after application. 

Depending on the reaction of your skin with the cream, hemorrhoid creams are typically effective within a matter of minutes. 

Some creams with natural ingredients like witch hazel can have cooling effects that can be felt immediately. 

Hemorrhoid creams are reported to help manage symptoms almost immediately after application.

When applied properly, your hemorrhoid cream should work quickly to relieve the symptoms of itching, burning, and pain associated with hemorrhoids.

Most hemorrhoid creams take a week before hemorrhoids are resolved.

Hemorrhoids themselves typically shrink and go away on their own in matter of a few days to a week or so. 

While creams can give you immediate relief, know that the painful external hemorrhoids you are experiencing will typically resolve themselves. 

(10) How Often Should You Apply Hemorrhoid Cream?

Follow the instructions as indicated on the packaging of your hemorrhoid cream. Some creams, used externally, allow application up to six times daily.

Creams used for internal hemorrhoids generally allow up to four applications a day.

If your symptoms have not resolved after seven days, contact your doctor.

If you have questions about application of hemorrhoid cream, you can ask your local pharmacist or call your doctor’s office for further instructions.

(11) Does Hemorrhoid Cream Work for Internal Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoid creams are generally intended to reduce the symptoms of external hemorrhoids.

Using a suppository may help relieve internal hemorrhoids, but most creams cannot be applied to internal hemorrhoids.

Because internal hemorrhoids don’t often have symptoms that cause pain and discomfort, you might not even realize you have them.

This guide will help you figure out how to get rid of internal hemorrhoids.

(12) Does Hemorrhoid Cream Work for External Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoid cream is designed to alleviate the symptoms of pain, burning, and itching often associated with external hemorrhoids.

Most creams can be applied directly to the area around the opening of the anus. External hemorrhoids are the most painful and uncomfortable form of hemorrhoids.

The creams can reduce the symptoms associated with this discomfort and help resolve your hemorrhoids.

(13) Can You Use Expired Hemorrhoid Cream?

Although it does not cause a health risk, it is not recommended that you use expired hemorrhoid cream.

The expiration date on hemorrhoid cream refers to how effective the active ingredients in the product may be.

It is not recommended to use hemorrhoid cream after the expiration date, because it may not be effective in treating your symptoms.

When used properly, hemorrhoid creams can alleviate the symptoms of pain and itching associated with bothersome hemorrhoids.

Be sure you follow the instructions on your product information guide, and consult a physician or hemorrhoid doctor if you have symptoms that last more than one week with the use of hemorrhoid cream.

(14) Can You Use Hemorrhoid Cream While Pregnant?

The answer to this question is not a straightforward one. 

Some creams may contain ingredients that are not recommended to use while pregnant, while others can be completely safe to use. 

However, studies have shown that creams are generally a low risk treatment method during pregnancy.

Popular creams for hemorrhoid treatment like Preparation H are safe to use and can be a very effective method in relieving pain and other symptoms caused by hemorrhoids. 

The best thing to do when searching for a cream to use while pregnant is to consult with your doctor. 

Second to this, find creams that have naturally derived ingredients like aloe vera or witch hazel. 

These natural oils and ingredients are organic with a low risk of use.

(15) Hemorrhoid Cream Final Summary

Hemorrhoid creams sometimes have a numbing agent that can aid in the relief of pain associated with them. 

Other common ingredients in hemorrhoid creams may contain a local anesthetic as well as ingredients that promote anti-inflammation. 

Hemorrhoid creams are designed to use on external hemorrhoids.  Creams are to be applied directly onto the external hemorrhoid. 

They are then absorbed through the surface of the skin. 

The ingredients of the cream go right to work, penetrating the skin cells, while offering temporary relief for pain, discomfort, irritation, and itchiness. 

The creams target symptoms like irritation and itchiness and usually immediately relieve them. 

When using hemorrhoid creams, you should understand that the cream is designed for relief of symptoms rather than making the hemorrhoids disappear.