Urgent Self-Care for Hemorrhoids

Self-Care for Urgent Hemorrhoid Symptoms

Got a rectal emergency? Try the following home care measures and get quick relief.

Ice packs - apply directly to anal area, no longer than one minute maximum at a time.
Clean anus thoroughy with a stream of warm water to rinse away debris lodged in swollen tissues. Use shower head, squirt bottle, or a pitcher. You may need to gently push the area open with your fingers to get into crevices. This small action can have surprisingly effective results, especially when the anal tissues are swollen. Small particles of tissue paper or fecal matter can cause intense itching in sensitive people.

Hot sitz bath or wet compress. Try a teaspoon of Epsom or plain table salt in the hot water. Limit application to no more than 15 minutes at a time, but try it three or four times a day.

Make a temporary doughnut cushion out of rolled-up towels to keep anus above the sitting surface.

"Go commando" - ditch the underpants and wear loose clothing for the time being, if circumstances permit.

Take a stool softener containing psyllium husks or ground flaxseed - start with one teaspoon. Important: Take with a full 8-oz. glass of clear fluid to prevent choking and/or constipation! With adequate water intake, the fiber will swell, making your next bowel movement larger but softer.

If you don't have a fiber stool softener available, eat a pear, apple, or other fruit with skin.

Drink plent of water or clear fluids throughout the day to prevent constipation.

Avoid narcotics such as codeine, percocet, oxycodone - these constipate and, while relieving pain, will end up making you miserable. If your doctor prescribes them for hemorrhoid pain, be sure to ask his or her advice on what to drink or take to relieve constipation.

Instead of narcotics, try plain ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen sodium (Aleve) for pain relief. Caution: ibuprofen can cause easier bleeding, so use with caution if your hemorrhoids are bleeding excessively.

If you have to lift anything heavy, get a partner. Remember to exhale on the lift, dont' hold your breath! THis keeps you from creating excess pressure in your abdominal cavity that can make your hemorrhoids bulge and get worse. Better yet, try to have someone else do the heavy lifting for a couple of weeks.

Avoid intense abdominal exercise during flare-ups. These also create abdominal pressure that often aggravates hemorrhoids.

Avoid diarrhea during a hemorrhoid flare-up - don't take laxatives or too much fiber supplement. Bananas, rice, tea and potatoes are all foods that help stop diarrhea.

Instead of vigorous wiping after bowel movement, wash with warm water and a gentle, non-drying soap. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry. If you have Vitamin E or even plain Vaseline, apply to the anus after washing. You can even insert a bit into your anus with a cotton applicator if you can stand the discomfort. Some people report relief from itching by mixing with tea tree oil, which provides a pleasant warmth without burning or stinging.