Lifestyle and home remedies

You can often relieve mild pain, swelling and inflammation of hemorrhoids home treatments. Often these are the only treatment necessary.

    Use topical treatments. Apply a cream-counter hemorrhoids or suppository containing hydrocortisone or pads containing witch hazel or use an anesthetic agent.
    Soak regularly in a sitz bath or hot tub. Soak the anal area in plain warm water 10 to 15 minutes two or three times a day. A sitz bath is fitted over the toilet. You can get one at most pharmacies.
    Keep the anal area clean. Bathing (preferably) or shower every day to clean the skin around your anus gently with warm water. Soap is not necessary and may aggravate the problem. Avoid alcohol-based or scented wipes. Gently dry the area with a hair dryer after bathing.
    Do not use dry toilet paper. To help keep the anal area clean after a bowel movement, use wet wipes or toilet paper that contain no perfume or alcohol.
    Apply cold. Apply ice packs or cold compresses on the anus to relieve swelling.
    Take oral analgesics. You may use acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) temporarily to help ease your discomfort.
With these treatments, hemorrhoid symptoms often go away in a week. Consult your doctor if you do not get relief in a week, or earlier if you have severe pain or bleeding.