Hemorrhoids Home Treatment Guide

Hemorrhoids are a common problem that many people face at some point in their lifetime. Although they are a common issue, many people still do not want to talk about the fact that they have hemorrhoids.

And, going to see a doctor for treatment can be even more difficult to discuss. While some cases may require medical treatment, most patients are able to treat the symptoms of hemorrhoids at home.

When dealing with hemorrhoids, the most common complaint is bleeding, itching, burning, and pain. Some of the best hemorrhoid treatments are often things you can do at home to alleviate the discomfort from these symptoms. Here’s how.

These guides will help you deal with specific hemorrhoid symptoms:

• hemorrhoid bleeding guide
• hemorrhoid itching and burning guide
• hemorrhoid pain guide

How to Get Rid of Hemorrhoids at Home the Right Way

One of the easiest ways to get rid of hemorrhoids is to stop them before they form. The key to doing this is to avoid constipation, as constipation is one of the leading causes of hemorrhoids.

The most common causes of constipation are dehydration, medication, and eating too many processed foods.

If you are already dealing with hemorrhoids, and haven’t been able to prevent them, the most important thing to do is to work to alleviate the symptoms and avoid further irritation.

To get rid of hemorrhoids at home, ease the symptoms that cause hemorrhoids to linger.

Ease the pain and itching with warm baths.

Dealing with a lot of pain and swelling?

Ice the area to calm the pain and bring the swelling down.

Try a rub on relief like over-the-counter wipes and creams.

Avoid scratching at all costs.

This can damage the skin and make irritation worse!

Wear loose, cotton clothing to keep your anal area dry and clean.

Practice proper bathroom habits.

Limit your time sitting on the toilet, be gentle when wiping, go immediately when you feel the urge, and practice proper hygiene habits.

Be sure not to make things worse for your body, so your hemorrhoids have time to heal.

Bump up the fiber to ensure your stool will pass easily during bowel movements. Drink lots of fluids to help activate the fiber in your system (1).

Exercise regularly. If you perform strenuous work daily, be sure to breathe properly when you are working hard.

And take breaks if your job requires that you sit for long periods of time. While these are ways to get rid of hemorrhoids at home, be sure to contact your medical provider if they have not solved the issue.

Unfortunately, in some cases, medical treatment is necessary.

How to Treat Hemorrhoids at Home

Hemorrhoid treatments for home include finding different ways to soothe the symptoms of pain, itching, bleeding, and burning. There are many at-home treatments that can help alleviate the symptoms of your hemorrhoids. Here are some examples:

1. Witch hazel is an effective treatment to reduce the symptoms of both itching and pain. It is a natural anti-inflammatory, so it will also work to reduce swelling. Witch hazel comes in liquid form and can be applied directly to hemorrhoids. It is also an active ingredient in some over-the-counter hemorrhoid wipes and soaps.
2. Aloe vera is naturally derived from the leaves of an aloe plant. Its anti-inflammatory properties have been found to be effective in treating inflammation of the skin (2). For hemorrhoids, pure aloe vera can help reduce the swelling associated with the condition. Because some people are allergic to aloe vera, it’s important to treat an area of the skin, preferably the forearm, to check for an allergic reaction.
3. Warm Epson salt baths can help soothe the irritation associated with hemorrhoids. Also known as a sitz bath, sitting in a few inches of warm water for 15-20 minutes a few times a day can help provide relief from swelling, pain, and itching. By adding Epsom salt to your bath, you can provide further relief from pain.
4. Over-the-counter ointments are available in many forms to treat hemorrhoids. Ointments, creams, and suppositories can be found in almost any drug store, and some grocery stores as well. They provide immediate relief for the symptoms of hemorrhoids. The work by reducing swelling, alleviating itch, and helping to soothe pain and burning.
5. Over-the-counter hemorrhoid wipes can really help. Toilet paper can sometimes be a cause of additional irritation to your anal area when you have hemorrhoids. To reduce this problem, using hemorrhoid wipes can help clean you after a bowel movement without adding irritation. To further help your cause, there are wipes available that help to treat the symptoms of hemorrhoids. Anti-hemorrhoid ingredient filled wipes include those with witch hazel and aloe vera to reduce swelling, pain, and itching.
6. Cold compresses and ice packs are a great option to help treat hemorrhoids at home (3). By applying these to the anus for 15 minutes at a time, you can greatly reduce swelling. This is especially helpful for large and extremely painful hemorrhoids.
7. Stool softeners and fiber supplements can help to make your stool softer and make bowel movements quick and painless. This helps you avoid further irritation of your hemorrhoids from regular bowel movements.
8. Wear loose fitting clothing to reduce further irritation. Another effective way to treat hemorrhoids at home is to watch what you wear. Tight clothing can sometimes aggravate your symptoms. Breathable cotton can help keep your anal area clean and dry. This can also reduce symptoms and irritation.

While the best way to treat hemorrhoids at home is to avoid them all together, there are many ways to help speed up the healing process and get rid of your hemorrhoids once and for all.

What About Thrombosed Hemorrhoid Home Treatment?

Thrombosed hemorrhoids can be very painful. A thrombosed hemorrhoid is an external hemorrhoid that results in a blood clot under the skin.

In many cases, this type of hemorrhoid leads to unbearable pain. While these are often treated by a medical professional, there are some ways you can work to alleviate a thrombosed hemorrhoid at home.

Pain relievers may be necessary to help you deal with the pain associated with a thrombosed hemorrhoid. Over-the-counter creams and ointments can also be effective.

The best way to treat a thrombosed hemorrhoid at home is to work to make lifestyle changes, so you don’t continue to have signs of this severe type of external hemorrhoid.

Increase your daily fiber intake and water consumption. In addition to what you eat, what you wear and how you care for yourself is important. Keep yourself clean and avoid moisture in your anal area.

Cotton, loose-fitting clothing can be particularly helpful for treating thrombosed hemorrhoids.

If your pain level is high, try icing the area. This will give you temporary comfort. Use a stool softener to help alleviate the irritation of painful bowel movements. If your pain continues to get worse, it is important that you contact a medical provider.

Is There a Home Cure for Hemorrhoids?

No, there are not any home cures or magical wands you can use to get rid of them quickly. The number one thing you can do for relief is to prevent them all together.

Sometimes, you don’t realize you are at risk of developing hemorrhoids until you are already experiencing the symptoms.

If you are worried about getting them, be sure you are eating a diet high in fiber and continually hydrating yourself throughout the day. These have been shown to help prevent outbreaks.

Avoid activities that could lead to constipation or strain, as these are the most common causes of hemorrhoids.

In addition to lifestyle changes, there are many ways to treat hemorrhoids at home that can help to cure them. Soak in a few inches of warm water a few times a day for 15-20 minutes.

Practice good bowel habits, such as using a stool softener when needed, properly cleaning yourself, and going when you feel the urge.

Over-the-counter products are available to treat the symptoms of hemorrhoids and help push along the healing process. There are many natural supplements available as well.

Added hemorrhoid relief can be found in natural products or at your local drug store.

While most hemorrhoids do go away on their own and can be treated at home, seek medical help if your symptoms last and become increasingly worse. The more you take care of yourself and your body, the less likely you will be to have to handle hemorrhoids.

How to Shrink Hemorrhoids Fast at Home

Since hemorrhoids are a result of swollen veins in the anal area, the fastest way to shrink them at home is to use a method that serves as an anti-inflammatory. There are many over-the-counter products that help reduce swelling. Plus, you can find an OTC product with an astringent or vasoconstrictor.

Oral medications such as acetaminophen are available, as well as ointments and cream that use ingredients with anti-inflammatory properties.

While there are also many natural treatments to shrink hemorrhoids, the most effective and fastest way to shrink hemorrhoids is to apply a cold compress or cold pack for fifteen minutes, and then add a hemorrhoid cream with witch hazel and a vasoconstrictor, like Phenylephrine HCL. Our best hemorrhoid cream guide will help you pick out a hemorrhoid cream that really works.

This will not only greatly reduce the swelling, it will numb the anal area and help eliminate the pain associated with hemorrhoids.

It is Unsafe to Remove a Hemorrhoid at Home! Do Not Remove Your Hemorrhoid Without Medical Advice

Hemorrhoid removal typically involves a medical procedure and a doctor. There are many non-invasive medical procedures that can be done in a hemorrhoid doctor’s office. There are also surgical procedures done under anesthesia that can be done in a hospital.

While it is possible to remove a hemorrhoid completely through a healthcare professional, you should not practice any hemorrhoid removal techniques at home.

Never try to pop a hemorrhoid or cut it out. This can lead to more serious, even life-threatening problems that you want to avoid at all costs.

If you are looking to remove your hemorrhoids, speak to a healthcare professional.

Otherwise, there are at-home treatments available to attack hemorrhoids and alleviate their symptoms.

Top Home Remedies for Hemorrhoid Pain

Since pain can be one of the most bothersome symptoms of hemorrhoids, many people are simply looking to alleviate the pain.

As mentioned before, warm baths three to four times a day for 15-20 minutes can help alleviate pain.

Make sure to keep your anus clean and avoiding harsh wiping! Using moist hemorrhoid wipes or medicated pads to wipe can reduce irritation. This will help lessen pain from hemorrhoids.

Ice packs like Hemorrwedge can help relieve swelling and numb pain. Over-the-counter pain medications may be used, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

For really bad flare-ups, stay off your feet and rest in bed for an entire day. You should also avoid heavy lifting, as this can make hemorrhoids more painful and keep them from healing.

Are There Any Home Remedies for Bleeding Hemorrhoids?

Bleeding is a very common symptom of hemorrhoids. While it may be the cause of great concern for many patients, it is often harmless.

The most common cause of bleeding hemorrhoids is irritation. Because the anal tissue becomes damaged as your hemorrhoids get larger, it makes the skin susceptible to tearing. This causes bleeding.

Most bleeding is caused by bowel movements. To alleviate the symptoms of bleeding hemorrhoids, practice good bowel habits. Use a stool softener and increase your fiber and water intake.

Avoid wiping after a bowel movement, unless you are using a medicated or moist wipe.

Instead, if possible, try to rinse the anal area and pat it dry. Do not wait to go when you have the urge for a bowel movement. And, be sure you avoid straining.

Using a hemorrhoid wipe and a hemorrhoid cream can help with bleeding. If your hemorrhoid bleeds a lot, or bleeds for a long period of time, you'll want to get in to see a doctor. 

External Hemorrhoid Treatment at Home

External hemorrhoids are the most common, most symptomatic types of hemorrhoids that patients experience. The best way to treat external hemorrhoids at home is to undergo lifestyle changes.

Let's go over the things we discussed above that work to eliminate hemorrhoids from your life.

1. Add fiber to your diet.
2. Increase your water intake.
3. Exercise daily.
4. Avoid straining or waiting to have a bowel movement.
5. Practice good hygiene and proper bowel habits.
6. Take breaks from sitting too long.
7. For bothersome external hemorrhoids, over-the-counter creams, ointments, and wipes can be very helpful.
8. To alleviate pain and reduce swelling, sit in a warm sitz bath or use a cold pack on the anal area for 15 minutes at a time.
9. Adding a stool softener during the period where your hemorrhoids are active can help make bowel movements easier.
10. Wear loose-fitting, cotton clothing to keep the anal area clean and dry.
11. Over-the-counter pain medication can also help reduce the symptoms of pain and swelling.
12. There are also many natural supplements and treatments available to treat external hemorrhoids at home.