Last updated:
Hemorrhoids are common, uncomfortable, and often easier to manage than people fear. If you are searching for hemorrhoid treatment, the good news is that many cases ease with simple home care and a few habit changes. The harder part is knowing which products are worth buying, how long to try them, and which symptoms mean it is time to stop self-treating and get examined.
This guide walks through what hemorrhoids are, how to recognize them, how to treat hemorrhoids at home, what medical procedures involve, and the warning signs that should never be brushed off.
- Fiber, fluids, and less straining are the foundation of hemorrhoid treatment, and they also help prevent a repeat.
- Over-the-counter creams, ointments, and suppositories are meant for short use only; NIDDK advises about one week.
- Rectal bleeding should always be checked by a clinician, because other conditions can look similar.
- If home care does not help, office procedures and surgery are available, and none of them is a do-it-yourself job.
What hemorrhoids are
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), hemorrhoids, also called piles, are swollen and inflamed veins around the anus or in the lower rectum.
There are two main types:
- External hemorrhoids form under the skin around the anus.
- Internal hemorrhoids form in the lining of the anus and lower rectum, where you generally cannot see or feel them unless they slip out.
Hemorrhoid symptoms to recognize
Symptoms depend on the type. NIDDK describes external hemorrhoids as causing anal itching, one or more hard and tender lumps near the anus, and an ache or pain, especially when sitting. For many people these symptoms settle within days.
Internal hemorrhoids most often show up as bleeding: bright red blood on the stool, on toilet paper, or in the toilet bowl. Internal hemorrhoids that stay inside are usually painless. A prolapsed hemorrhoid, one that pushes out through the anal opening, can be painful. MedlinePlus adds that hemorrhoids are typically painless unless a blood clot develops inside one.
| Type | Where it forms | Typical signs |
|---|---|---|
| External | Under the skin around the anus | Itching, tender lumps, pain when sitting |
| Internal (not prolapsed) | Lining of the lower rectum | Painless bright red bleeding |
| Internal (prolapsed) | Pushes out through the anus | Pain, a bulge, possible bleeding |
What causes hemorrhoids
Anything that raises pressure in the lower rectum can contribute. NIDDK lists straining during bowel movements, sitting on the toilet for long periods, chronic constipation or diarrhea, a low-fiber diet, pregnancy, frequent heavy lifting, and age-related weakening of the supporting tissues. MedlinePlus also notes that certain diseases, such as cirrhosis, can play a role.
The pattern is clear: hard stools lead to straining, and straining feeds the problem. That is why so much of hemorrhoid treatment is really constipation management.
How to treat hemorrhoids at home
NIDDK describes home treatment as a combination of diet changes, better toilet habits, and symptom relief. Practical steps from NIDDK and MedlinePlus include:
- Eat more fiber. High-fiber foods make stools softer and easier to pass. Fiber supplements such as psyllium or methylcellulose are an option if food alone is not enough.
- Drink enough fluids. Water and other nonalcoholic drinks help fiber do its job.
- Do not strain or linger. Avoid pushing hard and avoid sitting on the toilet for long stretches, which means leaving the phone outside.
- Try a warm bath. MedlinePlus describes sitting in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes to relieve discomfort.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen if needed, following the label.
- Be gentle when cleaning. MedlinePlus suggests baby wipes instead of perfumed toilet tissue, cotton underwear, and resisting the urge to scratch.
Increase fiber gradually. Adding a lot at once can cause gas and bloating. If you struggle with hard stools in general, see our guide to anti-inflammatory breakfast recipes for easy ways to build fiber into the first meal of the day.
Hemorrhoid creams, ointments, and medicines
Hemorrhoid cream is one of the most searched products in this category, and for good reason: pharmacies stock many options. NIDDK says over-the-counter creams, ointments, and suppositories can relieve mild pain, swelling, and itching, with a firm limit: use them for no more than one week. If symptoms continue after a week, or you notice side effects, follow up with a doctor.
MedlinePlus mentions witch hazel applied with cotton pads, over-the-counter corticosteroid creams, and prescription creams that contain a numbing agent. The evidence for most products is about symptom relief, not about making the underlying tissue go away. Be wary of anything promising to shrink hemorrhoids in 48 hours or to fix them permanently; no reliable source supports those claims.
Medical procedures when home care is not enough
When symptoms persist or are severe, NIDDK describes two groups of treatments.
Office-based procedures
- Rubber band ligation: a band cuts off the blood supply, and the tissue falls off in about a week.
- Sclerotherapy: an injection that creates scar tissue.
- Infrared photocoagulation: heat is used to treat the hemorrhoid.
- Electrocoagulation: an electric current is used.
Hospital or outpatient center procedures
- Hemorrhoidectomy: surgical removal under anesthesia.
- Hemorrhoid stapling: a stapling device removes tissue, also under anesthesia.
Which option fits depends on the type and size of the hemorrhoid and on your health, so this is a decision to make with a clinician. Recovery, pain, and recurrence risk differ by procedure.
How to lower the chance of a repeat
Because the same pressure that caused the problem can return, prevention mirrors home treatment. Keep fiber and fluids steady, move regularly, respond when you feel the urge to go, and avoid prolonged sitting on the toilet. If constipation keeps coming back, it is worth discussing with a doctor.
Get medical advice for any rectal bleeding, even if you think it is a hemorrhoid. NIDDK cautions that not every anal symptom comes from hemorrhoids; similar symptoms can signal Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or colorectal cancer. Also see a clinician if symptoms last beyond a week of home treatment. Seek urgent care for severe anal pain and rectal bleeding, especially with abdominal pain, diarrhea, or fever, and for heavy blood loss or dizziness.
Frequently asked questions
Do hemorrhoids go away on their own?
Many external hemorrhoid symptoms improve within days, according to NIDDK. If symptoms last more than a week despite home care, or you have bleeding, get checked.
What is the fastest way to relieve hemorrhoid pain?
Warm baths, an over-the-counter pain reliever, softer stools, and a short course of an approved cream or ointment are the standard first steps. There is no proven instant fix.
Can I use hemorrhoid cream for internal hemorrhoids?
Suppositories are made for use inside the rectum, while creams and ointments are mainly for external relief. Read the label and ask a pharmacist, and do not exceed one week without medical follow-up.
Is rectal bleeding always from hemorrhoids?
No. Hemorrhoids are a common cause, but other conditions also cause bleeding, so a clinician should evaluate it.
Can fiber help hemorrhoids?
NIDDK lists high-fiber foods and fiber supplements as part of home treatment because they soften stool and reduce straining.
Sources
- NIDDK, Hemorrhoids
- NIDDK, Symptoms and Causes of Hemorrhoids
- NIDDK, Treatment for Hemorrhoids
- MedlinePlus, Hemorrhoids
Save this guide for later on Pinterest
