Lidocaine for Hemorrhoids Review & Guide - Should I Buy a Hemorrhoid Cream with Lidocaine?

Wondering if you should use lidocaine for your hemorrhoid pain? If you are a veteran of hemorrhoid flare-ups, or have recently been diagnosed with them, you are probably finding yourself on a search for a hemorrhoid treatment that works on uncomfortable symptoms both quickly and effectively. 

There are numerous ways to treat hemorrhoids—from salves, ointments, balms, creams, topical lotions, fiber, suppositories, pills, cushions, and even surgeries.

It can be hard to tell what method is right for you, and some harmful ingredients may give you a pause before applying them to your sensitive, inflamed anal-rectal area. 

Lidocaine is one ingredient frequently employed by hemorrhoid creams and perhaps you have seen this chemical listed as a main component for treating hemorrhoids. 

Lidocaine, also known as xylocaine and lignocaine, is a numbing agent utilized for anesthetic for intravenous application, and a numbing agent in topical treatments for skin conditions.  

In terms of hemorrhoids, lidocaine is combined with hydrocortisone in certain medications.  This combination of these two drugs target inflammatory skin conditions, while hydrocortisone works to reduce swelling and surface skin reactions, lidocaine assists by numbing the area to relieve the symptoms.

Hemorrhoids are essentially an inflammatory skin condition located in the anal-rectal area, causing a collection of blood vessels and rectal veins to swell and produce hemorrhoidal symptoms.  This is why you will see lidocaine and hydrocortisone advertised to relieve hemorrhoids and other rectal issues like anal itching. 

Internal hemorrhoids are not visible to the naked eye, unless they have prolapsed through the rectum.  However, if you are just starting to notice signs of internal hemorrhoids, it is likely that it is a mild case, but still should be treated immediately in order to prevent a prolapsed internal hemorrhoid from occurring.  

Lidocaine is commonly found as a part of a topical treatment for external hemorrhoids, so if you notice rectal bleeding but no other symptoms like small, tender bumps forming around the anus, then you probably have internal hemorrhoids. 

Lidocaine will be a prominent ingredient for the treatment of external hemorrhoids. Do not use lidocaine on bleeding hemorrhoids or when your hemorrhoids burst and bleed. These small, rubbery bumps are sore to the touch and can make movement, trips to the bathroom, and certain positions difficult and uncomfortable.  

External hemorrhoids are certainly the more painful of the two types and should be treated right away to prevent them from worsening.

In your search for a beneficial topical treatment for your external hemorrhoids, you will see many ointments with lidocaine, often paired with hydrocortisone, but what is the actual effectiveness of these chemicals and will they provide immediate relief? Plus, are they really safe for you to use?

Does Lidocaine Ointment Really Work for Hemorrhoids?

Lidocaine has numerous studies to support its effectiveness as a pain reliever and has  long history of being used for numbing purposes.  Lidocaine is commonly utilized as a numbing agent for dental work as well as being employed as a staple ingredient to relieve pain in topical treatments.

Many sufferers of hemorrhoids choose to utilize more natural methods in treating their hemorrhoids, afraid that harsh chemicals that are difficult to pronounce will cause further disruption to their sensitive anorectal area.  Witch hazel is perhaps one of the most common natural ingredients used to treat hemorrhoids.

The mistake in this is overlooking ingredients that excel at alleviating the most painful symptoms produced by hemorrhoids, like hydrocortisone and lidocaine, or even the combination of the two.

Hemorrhoid doctors will often recommended these extra-strength over the counter treatments with these powerful anti-inflammatory and numbing properties because of their ability to relieve symptoms quickly, even directly following their application.

While natural treatments are all well and good, they may not have the extended ability to numb painful external hemorrhoids for long periods of time, making your daily routine and lifestyle much more manageable. 

With ointments that utilize lidocaine, the known numbing agent, you can enjoy more vigorous activities by lubing your external hemorrhoids beforehand. 

Doctors may advise using witch hazel wipes following a bowel movement to keep the area clean and hygienic, but also applying lidocaine ointment to the external hemorrhoids afterwards.

Is Lidocaine Safe for Hemorrhoids? 

Lidocaine has proven itself to be a safe and effective treatment for anorectal disorders, including hemorrhoids.  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises that a concentration of lidocaine used in formulas for over the counter medications should be between 2-5%.

In a study published in 2007 concerning the topical treatment of lidocaine for patients with anorectal pain, the conclusion drawn from the results of the experiments stated that the patients demonstrated no adverse side effects from the ointment with a concentration of 5% lidocaine.

Lidocaine in a topical application is designed for treating external hemorrhoids.  For the most beneficial effects, it is best to lubricate your external hemorrhoids before engaging in strenuous activities, or activities that require increased movement.  Friction plays a role in aggravating external hemorrhoids and their symptoms of itching, burning, and pain.

All over the counter medications use lidocaine in safe concentrations of 2-5% as required by the FDA.  These are determined to be safe amounts of lidocaine and it is rare that users experience adverse effects because of it.

You can determine if using an ointment with lidocaine is right for you by talking to your doctor.  As with any other condition, your doctor should be informed if you believe you are experiencing hemorrhoid symptoms. 

Lidocaine does have a chance of causing an adverse reaction if you are allergic to it.

What Symptoms Does Lidocaine Target?

Because lidocaine is derived from the chemical family of anesthetics, this ingredient works by deadening the pain-feeling nerves in the skin.  Lidocaine, for all intents and purposes, is a numbing agent. 

Its properties to numb the skin are harnessed by topical creams, lotions, ointments, and gels to treat symptoms of itching, pain, and the burning sensation often associated with hemorrhoids.

Anal itching is a main symptom caused by hemorrhoids.  When lidocaine is paired with hydrocortisone, the formula can work right away to reduce hemorrhoidal swelling and itching. 

Lubricating external hemorrhoids with an over the counter treatment with lidocaine can force the hemorrhoids to shrink fasters while symptoms quickly subside.  Hemorrhoids do subside within a few days to a few weeks, at best, even without treatment. 

However, with the application of lidocaine, there is less irritation in the anorectal area, making your routine and lifestyle increasingly more manageable. 

What Are the Best Lidocaine Products for Hemorrhoids?

Your search for a superior over the counter product in the treatment of your hemorrhoids can be overwhelming.  There are many products that advertise maximum effectiveness, but which products are truly the best? 

Our list of best lidocaine products is based on both customer favorability and cost effectiveness. The best lidocaine products are not absurdly expensive and can be purchased at multiple stores. 

Highly reviewed lidocaine products ensure the effectiveness of the product as stated by actual consumers. 

• Aspercreme Pain Relieving Crème
• Preparation H Hemorrhoidal Cream
• Walgreens Pain Relief Cream with Lidocaine
• Lidocane Plus
• RectiCare Lidocaine 5% Anorectal Cream

Preparation H is one of the most popular hemorrhoid treatments that utilize lidocaine.  This brand is highly regarded among hemorrhoid sufferers and is available in the form of wipes, suppositories, and ointments. 

These creams and topical ointments are widely used by people with painful external or thrombosed hemorrhoids.  Lidocaine provides a numbing sensation that can relieve common symptoms of anal itching, rectal pain and burning, and discomfort caused by inflamed hemorrhoids. 

Where Can I Buy Lidocaine for Hemorrhoids?

Lidocaine is a popular and widely used ingredient for hemorrhoid treatment and other anorectal problems like anal fissures, rectal pain, and rectal disorders.  Despite its use as an anesthetic, lidocaine is sold in over the counter topical treatments. 

You can find lidocaine in topical creams, lotions, ointments, and gels for hemorrhoid treatment at superstores such as Walmart or Target. 

Lidocaine topical treatments can also be purchased online via Google Shopping or Amazon and through other online store retailers. 

Lidocaine can also be found at your local drugstores and pharmacies, like Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, and others.

As an ingredient in hemorrhoid formulas, lidocaine is not expensive, and these topical treatments average about $5-$10 per tube.  Consumers favorably review the use of lidocaine for their hemorrhoids, indicating that its numbing properties aid in relieving the most painful of their hemorrhoid symptoms.