How to Quickly Cure External Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids can affect anyone, regardless of age. These swollen blood vessels can be extremely uncomfortable and can occur either inside or outside the anus. The condition is typically caused by increased pressure on the pelvic area and rectal veins, often related to constipation, diarrhea, or straining during bowel movements. In some cases, obesity, heavy lifting, or pregnancy can place extra pressure on the lower abdominal veins. Fortunately, you can often treat external hemorrhoids at home without needing a doctor's intervention. There are several steps you can take to alleviate pain, discomfort, and itching caused by hemorrhoids.

Soak in a warm bath. Soaking in a warm bath can help relieve hemorrhoid pain. You can fill a regular bathtub with warm water or use a sitz bath (a small basin placed over the toilet to soak the anal area). Keep the water warm and add a cup of Epsom salt to the bathtub or 2-3 tablespoons to the sitz bath. Soak 2-3 times a day.

• Remember to keep the anal area clean. Gently cleanse when showering, bathing, or after using the toilet. Avoid soap as it can irritate the skin. You can apply Cetaphil lotion to soothe the hemorrhoidal area without causing further irritation. Pat dry with a clean towel.

Cold Compress. To numb the pain, apply an ice pack or cold compress. Soak a clean cotton cloth in cold water and place it on the hemorrhoid for about 10-15 minutes. You can repeat this multiple times during the day.

• If using an ice pack, ensure you place a cloth between the ice and your skin. Direct contact with the ice may damage the tissue.

Apply Pain-Relieving Gel or Lotion. After soaking and gently drying the hemorrhoid, apply a small amount of aloe vera gel or an anti-itch lotion. Choose one that contains petroleum jelly, mineral oil, shark liver oil, or phenylephrine. Phenylephrine helps to reduce swelling and tightens the hemorrhoid. Aloe vera gel is also effective in soothing the area.

• If the hemorrhoids are especially painful or uncomfortable, you can try applying a baby teething gel. These gels contain local antiseptics that help alleviate pain and discomfort.
• Avoid using steroid creams as they can damage the delicate skin around the hemorrhoid.

Ease Hemorrhoid Symptoms with Astringents. Soak a cotton ball in witch hazel and apply it to the hemorrhoid after a bowel movement. Repeat this multiple times daily, at least 4-5 times. You can also place the cotton ball under your underwear to prolong its effect.

• Witch hazel can relieve itching, discomfort, irritation, and burning caused by hemorrhoids while also reducing swelling.

Increase Your Fiber Intake. Gradually add more fiber to your diet, increasing it slowly to avoid bloating. Although fiber needs vary depending on calorie consumption, it’s generally recommended that women aim for 25g of fiber per day and men for 30g. Fiber helps soften stool, making it easier to pass. Different fibers have different benefits, so try to get fiber from wheat bran and other grains that specifically aid in stool softening.

• Fiber-rich foods can reduce bleeding from hemorrhoids, as well as minimize inflammation and irritation.
• If you feel bloated or gassy, it may be because you're consuming too much fiber.
• You can increase fiber intake by choosing whole grains, fruits with their skins, leafy greens, and legumes.
• Fiber can also be added through yogurt with live cultures and probiotics.

Eat smaller meals and drink plenty of water. Eating small, nutritious meals throughout the day will help your digestive system process food efficiently and provide essential nutrients needed for healing hemorrhoids. It's also important to stay hydrated by drinking lots of water throughout the day.

• Fluids will help soften stools, making them easier to pass.

Exercise regularly. Opt for low-impact activities such as swimming, dancing, yoga, and walking. Avoid exercises that place pressure on your body, like weightlifting. These low-impact exercises have anti-inflammatory benefits, which can alleviate hemorrhoid symptoms. Regular exercise also supports overall health and promotes healthy bowel movements.

• Try pelvic floor exercises.
• Exercise can also help reduce pressure on blood vessels that contribute to hemorrhoid pain.

Reduce pressure while sitting. Using a cushion or a seat with a cutout in the middle can help reduce pressure while sitting. This will make sitting more comfortable and ease discomfort. It's important to avoid sitting directly on hard surfaces.

• Pressure on hemorrhoids can worsen swelling and may even lead to the formation of new hemorrhoids.

Maintain regular bathroom habits. If possible, try to have a bowel movement at the same time each day without straining. Regular bathroom habits can help you avoid excessive pushing. A consistent bathroom routine is a sign of good health.

• Avoid straining too much. Let gravity help, and allow your bowels to work naturally. If you're unsuccessful, wait about an hour before trying again.
• You can place your feet on a small stool to raise your knees higher than your hips for easier bowel movements.

Select the right type of laxative. Maintaining regular bowel movements is crucial when dealing with hemorrhoids. Avoid straining, as this is a common cause of hemorrhoids. Instead, consider using bulk-forming or stool-softening laxatives temporarily. Bulk-forming laxatives can soften stools and reduce the pressure needed to expel them, which helps shrink hemorrhoids. Although fiber in your diet will normalize your stools, you can opt for one of the following laxatives:

• Bulk-forming laxatives: These contain fiber (usually psyllium) that adds bulk and weight to the stool, helping it move more easily through the intestines.
• Stool softeners: These work by adding moisture to the stool, making it easier to pass. Most stool softeners contain docusate, a substance that adds moisture to soften the stool.
• Lubricant laxatives: These lubricate the intestines and rectum, making stool passage smoother. Many lubricant laxatives contain mineral oil. They are typically safe for short-term use but are not recommended for long-term use.
• Avoid stimulant laxatives containing senna (cassia), cascara (coffeeberry), aloe, or bisacodyl. These work by stimulating the intestines, which is not helpful when you have hemorrhoids.

Recognize the signs of external hemorrhoids. The most common symptoms of external hemorrhoids are bleeding and discomfort during bowel movements. You might notice the first signs of external hemorrhoids on the toilet paper after a bowel movement. Hemorrhoids are swollen, soft lumps around the anus, often about the size of a grape when they first appear. They can also cause pain and itching. People with hemorrhoids often see blood on the toilet paper or in the toilet bowl.

• If you're unsure whether you have internal or external hemorrhoids, you can try palpating. Typically, you can't feel internal hemorrhoids, but external hemorrhoids may protrude through the anus. Internal hemorrhoids often have additional symptoms besides bleeding during bowel movements.

Know when to see a doctor. Most external hemorrhoids will heal or shrink within 2-3 days. If the hemorrhoids remain after 3-5 days, it's time to contact a doctor. You should also reach out to your doctor if you experience pain or bleeding. A doctor can diagnose whether you have internal or external hemorrhoids through a rectal examination.

• If the rectal bleeding is not caused by hemorrhoids, your doctor may recommend additional tests like a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, as rectal bleeding can also be a symptom of colorectal cancer.

Medical treatments. If hemorrhoids do not improve or respond to home treatments, a doctor may suggest minimally invasive surgery. The most common treatment options include:

• Hemorrhoid banding: A rubber band is placed around the base of the hemorrhoid to cut off blood flow.
• Sclerotherapy: A chemical solution is injected into the hemorrhoid to shrink it.
• Hemorrhoid coagulation: The hemorrhoid is cauterized to remove it.
• Hemorrhoidectomy: The hemorrhoid is surgically removed, often as an outpatient procedure (although sometimes patients need to stay in the hospital overnight).

• Use baby wipes instead of toilet paper for cleaning after using the restroom.
• Ice packs can help reduce swelling, but don't apply them for too long. Each session should last only 5-10 minutes.

• Stimulating laxatives can become habit-forming and weaken the intestines, increasing the risk of chronic constipation.