How to Get Rid of Hemorrhoids (22 Effective Remedies)

They’re painful, and they can be embarrassing to talk about.

But many people the world over suffer from hemorrhoids.

For those lucky people who’ve never experienced hemorrhoids, it’s a condition that can make even the most basic daily activities incredibly uncomfortable, or even painful.

This painful problem leaves many wondering if they’ll ever find relief from their condition.

They search for any actionable advice that would tell them how to get rid of hemorrhoids fast.

Don’t worry. We’re going to show you several options for treating hemorrhoids.

But first, we need to go over a couple of things.

Before you know how to treat hemorrhoids, you need to know what causes them.

A hemorrhoid is a varicose veins that forms on a person’s anus, causing them to have a difficult time moving their bowels.

There are several reasons that might cause you to suffer from hemorrhoids, but the most common are constipation, poor diet, and pregnancy.

Though most treatments overlap with each other, there are different treatments and recommendations for hemorrhoids, depending on what’s causing them.

To find out how to get rid of hemorrhoids fast, we’ll begin by explaining some home remedies.

Home Remedies for Hemorrhoids

There are a variety of treatments you can employ at home, regardless of the cause of your hemorrhoids.

Relax in the Tub

If you’ve ever experienced hemorrhoids, you know what a huge relief soaking in warm water can be.

Warm water relaxes the inflammation, allowing you to feel more comfortable.

Just remember to gently dry yourself when you get out of the tub.

Drying too vigorously may cause another flare up.

Why does this help? If you’re more relaxed and less sensitive, you might find that you won’t avoid relieving your bowels (which can exacerbate the problem).

Then you won’t push too hard, just trying to get it over with.

Improve Your Hygiene

Hemorrhoids are prone to inflammation when your hygiene is poor.

Practicing basic hygiene (such as showering and wearing fresh underwear every day) will help keep your hemorrhoids in check.

Be careful not to overlook your hygiene, even if you’re in a hurry.

If you take the time to pay special attention to your hygiene, you’ll find relief faster.

Avoid ‘Dry Wiping’

Using dry, rough toilet paper can be a big mistake.

It can cause your hemorrhoids to get worse because it agitates them.

Try using hypoallergenic or aloe bathroom wipes, or just moisten your toilet paper with tap water before you use it.

Then allow yourself time to ‘air dry,’ or use a soft cloth to pat dry.

The more agitated your anus is, the worse your flare-up will be.

It may take a little extra time and effort, but it’s well worth the pain you’ll avoid.

Apple Cider Vinegar

What home remedy list is complete without the old standby of apple cider vinegar?

From curing heartburn to downsizing fatty deposits, apple cider vinegar is a go-to for just about any home remedy.

But regarding hemorrhoids, there are some things you should keep in mind:

• You can’t just rely on any brand of apple cider vinegar. You need to choose a brand that’s as natural as possible. The more ‘pure’ the cider is, the bigger the results are. Many people recommend Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar because it’s known for its high quality and truly organic products.
• Treating your hemorrhoids with apple cider vinegar will depend on the kind of hemorrhoids you have. If you suffer from external hemorrhoids, you’re going to want to use a clean cotton ball to apply the apple cider vinegar directly onto your afflicted area.
• Applying apple cider vinegar will sting, and it won’t ease your relief immediately. Rather, it’ll prevent discomfort, irritation, and bleeding later on.
• Ideally, you should apply apple cider vinegar at the start of your day, but you can use it again several times throughout your day. It also helps to drink a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar a few times a day. Adding a tiny bit of honey to it can make it more palatable.

Cayenne Pepper

Don’t panic. No one is suggesting that you rub cayenne pepper on one of the most sensitive parts of your body.

The idea of ingesting spicy foods may be pretty off-putting to you right now, but cayenne peppers are actually very helpful to people suffering from hemorrhoids.

Soak a dried pepper in water until it’s soft, then drink the water.

This process helps stop bleeding caused by hemorrhoids, and it can be done daily.

Witch Hazel

My personal favorite remedy, witch hazel can help anyone who’s ever experienced discomfort in sensitive areas.

Don’t underestimate its awesome power to alleviate both pain and itching.

Witch hazel pads are easy to find, and you simply put them on or near your sensitive spot for nearly instant relief.

If you have any doubts about this method, keep in mind that most hospitals give new mothers witch hazel pads to alleviate their pain right after birth.

And with repeated use, it can eventually encourage your hemorrhoids to shrink and go away completely.

Witch hazel a very safe, natural way to find some relief from your hemorrhoids.

Vitamin E Capsules

If you want immediate relief from hemorrhoids, simply pop open a gel capsule of vitamin E, and rub innards on your anus.

If you do this every day, you can dehydrate your hemorrhoids, which will make them smaller and less painful.

You’ll have to gently, evenly apply the gel to your hemorrhoids for the best possible results.

Psyllium Seed Husks

Chances are that you haven’t encountered this option, as it’s often only available in specialty stores.

It’s a very popular home remedy method because it’s relatively inexpensive and works incredibly well.

Psyllium seed husks are packed full of fiber, which can effectively provide smooth, soft stools (which are a lot easier on hemorrhoids).

So these husks can help you experience less pain and bleeding than if you have hard, strained stools.

Then your body will have time to heal.

Aloe Vera

You probably know that aloe vera gets rid of sunburns quickly, and it can make your hair grow faster and healthier.

But did you know that if you eat just a teaspoon of aloe vera, you can get super-soft bowel movements?

But while you might be in a hurry to find relief, don’t ingest too much aloe vera.

An overdose could cause diarrhea, so it’s a good idea to check with your doctor before you try it.

Keep it to a teaspoon a day for softer stools, and stop using it immediately if you experience extreme discomfort after swallowing it.

(Some discomfort can be expected, but it shouldn’t be extreme.)

Cold Compresses

While you should soak in warm water, you should use a cold compress.

Warm water brings temporary relief, but cold compresses prevent pain.

Just as applying an ice pack can reduce swelling, cold compresses may shrink your hemorrhoids.

Essential Oil Blends

First, please be sure that you’re only using natural essential oils.

Some essential oils are used more for scents than for rubbing directly on your body.

So make sure you’re buying the right kind, since some oils could cause irritation.

Some of the essential oils that can help treat this condition are lavender, almond, and rosemary.

Apply the oil(s) to your hemorrhoids, and in time, you’ll notice that they’re shrinking.

More Conventional Methods

Perhaps home remedies aren’t working for you, or you don’t want to try one for this problem. If so, don’t worry.

We want you to know how to get rid of hemorrhoids as fast as possible, so we’re giving you as much advice as we can!

Prescription and Over-the-Counter Ointments

When home remedies fail, you can always go with the old standby – ointments.

Your doctor can prescribe you ointments, or you can choose from a wide variety of OTC ointments that are available at most pharmacies and stores.

Just keep in mind that ointments can be powerful, so only use them for the recommended amount of time.

If your hemorrhoids aren’t gone at the end of the recommended time, speak to your doctor about other options.

Pain Relievers

You can either turn to your doctor for a prescription, or you can simply get some Tylenol at your local store.

This method won’t help with the bleeding or reduce the swelling, but it can be a great option for people who experience more pain than they can tolerate.

Just keep in mind that OTC pain medications can often lead to constipation.

Other Non-Surgical Options

If you’ve already tried home remedies and ointments, speak to your doctor about other non-surgical options.

You shouldn’t have to suffer just because you don’t want to undergo surgery.

Your doctor can provide you with options you may not have access to or know about.

They can include helpful tips, OTC supplements, and even medications that aren’t usually used to treat hemorrhoids.

Surgery

Surgery will definitely stop hemorrhoids in their tracks, and the effects are permanent.

Many people find relief and even cures with less extreme measures.

But if you’re suffering from a severe case of hemorrhoids, then surgery may be the best option for you.

Only a doctor can truly guide you in this decision, as there are different surgeries for different kinds of hemorrhoids.

Many of them involve removing part of the intestinal tract, so make sure that this very permanent surgery is something that you absolutely need.

Ways to Prevent Hemorrhoids

It’s pretty widely accepted that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

This old adage is especially true regarding hemorrhoids, which can easily be prevented in a variety of ways.

Healthy Diet

You shouldn’t ever convince yourself that you’re too busy or low on funds to treat your body properly.

It may sound easier and cheaper to grab fast food, but the long-term costs are much higher (when you factor in pain medications, ointments, and even an astronomically expensive surgery).

If you include the following foods in your diet, you can help prevent and cure more than just your hemorrhoid problem:

• Fruits and vegetables (especially winter squash, peas, artichokes, avocados, pears, beans, dark leafy greens, broccoli, apples, and berries)
• Foods that are rich in fiber
• Whole grains
• Kefir and Greek yogurts (whole milk is preferable!)

These foods are recommended because they all promote healthier, softer stools.

Less strain means less of a chance of developing hemorrhoids.

These foods promote general health and proper healing, which means your body will correctly process food.

Stay Hydrated

Of course, you know that drinking plenty of water every day will help cure and prevent many health problems.

But depending on your body type and the medications you’re taking, you may need even more than the recommended 8 glasses of water per day.

Fruit juices, teas, sports drinks, and smoothies may seem like sensible options, but they don’t give you the hydration you need.

So drink plenty of plain water every day.

Exercise Regularly

You don’t have to go to the gym and get pumped, nor do you have to run marathons.

All you have to do is stay active. Just find a routine that works for you.

Maybe it’s light yoga followed by a walk around the block, or a jog through the park followed by some crunches and squats.

Just find something that you’re comfortable doing on a daily or semi-daily basis.

Exercising helps blood flow, which helps your body repair damage you might not even realize you have.

Staying active is a great way to prevent and treat hemorrhoids.

Go When You Have to Go

Listen to nature’s call. When you hold your bowels back, you put an unnecessary amount of strain on your anus, so you can compact your stool.

By the time you do go, you’re more likely to have hard stools that could cause hemorrhoids or inflammation.

It’s easy to see why that’s not desirable, especially if you already have hemorrhoids.

Dress Comfortably

When you wear tight-fitting, unbreathable clothes, you can irritate your body and cause friction that’ll make hemorrhoids form or flare up.

So try wearing underwear that’s breathable (such as cotton and hemp) and dye-free (if possible), and pants that don’t mold to your body.

Avoid Sitting for Too Long

This tactic may seem difficult when so many jobs rely on you sitting at a desk.

However, you can easily break up your day by standing up, stretching, and taking a short walk to the copier or breakroom.

Sitting for too long (especially on the toilet), can put a lot of pressure on the veins in your anus, which can cause or worsen hemorrhoids.

Fiber Supplements

Even if you’re eating healthfully, you still may not be getting enough fiber in your diet.

There are plenty of foods out there with fiber in them, but they are often overlooked, even in the healthiest diets.

Women typically need 25 grams of fiber per day, and men need 38 grams per day.

So consider taking supplements. Citrucel and Metamucil are both great ways to prevent and treat hemorrhoids, as they’re packed with plenty of fiber.

Conclusion

As you can see, you have plenty of options for treating and preventing hemorrhoids.

But remember, you should always consult with your doctor before you start taking any medications, make major changes to your diet, or find that your hemorrhoids have gotten worse.

This guide is intended to point you in the right direction for finding relief, but only your doctor can truly diagnose you.