At-Home Hemorrhoid Treatment Options To Relieve Pain and Itching Naturally
From 'padsicles' to herbal soaks, these easy fixes are backed by science
Most of us have had hemorrhoids at some point in our lives. After all, they’re incredibly common, affecting up to half of adults over 50, according to research. But that doesn’t mean you need to suffer through the itching and irritation. Here we explore the best natural hemorrhoid treatment options you can try from the comfort of home. Plus experts explain how to reduce your risk of future flare-ups so you can stay pain-free.
What is a hemorrhoid?
“Hemorrhoids are actually a normal part of the anal and rectal anatomy,” explains Kyle S. Eldredge, DO, general surgeon at Advanced Surgical Physicians. “They’re due to a collection of blood vessels and muscle fibers in one of the layers of the wall of the anus and rectum.”
Internal hemorrhoids form inside the anus, external hemorrhoids can be found in the skin around the anus (you can typically see or feel them) and prolapsed internal hemorrhoids are ones from inside the anus that bulge out.
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Common hemorrhoid symptoms
Hemorrhoids can enlarge and become inflamed for several varied reasons, Dr. Eldredge notes. The main cause being increased pressure around the anus and rectum. This can be due to increased straining with bowel movements, constipation, pregnancy, aging or even sitting for extended periods of time.
Hemorrhoids can also be aggravated by diarrhea and underwear that is too tight, adds Haleh Pazwash, MD, gastroenterologist at Gastroenterology Associates of NJ.
Symptoms of hemorrhoids may vary slightly depending on the type you have, but they can include:
- Minor bleeding
- Itching and/or irritation
- Pain or discomfort
The best at-home hemorrhoid treatment options
When it comes to treating hemorrhoids, the good news is that simple remedies often provide noticeable relief. Here are some of the home remedies for hemorrhoids that research shows really work:
Make a ‘padsicle’
What do you get when you pour witch hazel onto a maxi pad, wrap it in foil and stick it in the freezer? A “padsicle” that can provide cooling relief from hemorrhoid symptoms. To use your padsicle, simply remove it from the freezer and allow it to thaw for a couple minutes, then place it in your underwear as you would any maxi pad. The cold temperature of the pad instantly quells itching and curbs swelling. How does it work? Witch hazel possesses astringent properties that tighten inflamed blood vessels to help shrink hemorrhoids, according to research in Alternative Medicine Review.
Swap your undies
To prevent moisture from gathering and causing irritation to inflamed hemorrhoids, researchers reporting in the journal Medisains say that underwear made from 100 percent cotton is your best bet. And loose, comfy clothing will prevent pressure that could aggravate symptoms and slow down healing. Comfort matters in the bathroom, too; using ultra soft, fragrance-free toilet paper will further cut down on irritation.
Take an herbal bath
One of the most popular home treatments for hemorrhoids: a sitz bath. This involves sitting in shallow water to ease itching and discomfort. And you can boost the benefits by adding chamomile to the mix. This soothing herb contains compounds called apigenin and α-bisabolol that ease inflammation and speed healing, working faster than some antibiotics to heal wounds according to a review in Pharmaceuticals.
Simply add three to four chamomile tea bags to your bath water and soak for 15 to 20 minutes to enjoy the herb’s hemorrhoid-healing power. Never tried a sitz bath hemorrhoid treatment before? This simple how-to video can walk you through the steps.
Try psyllium fiber
Since hemorrhoids are often triggered by constipation or straining, it’s no surprise that all-natural psyllium fiber is a home treatment that can noticeably reduce symptoms. In fact, a review of seven randomized trials in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews found that psyllium fiber supplements decreased risk of bleeding and other persistent symptoms by 53 percent in as little as two weeks.
Psyllium fiber helps soften stools so they can pass easily, allowing hemorrhoids to heal without aggravation. One to try: Designs for Health Fiber Prebiotic Complete, which contains a blend of psyllium husk fiber and other soluble and insoluble fibers.
Stop straining
To prevent the straining that is a primary cause of hemorrhoids, consider keeping a low footstool in your bathroom. Simply resting your feet on this stool when you use the bathroom can make bowel movements easier, according to Ohio State researchers.
Also smart: Keep time spent sitting on the toilet to a minimum. If you aren’t having a bowel movement after about five minutes, it’s time to stand up, move around and come back later when the urge arises.
How to prevent a hemorrhoid from returning
“The key to avoiding or preventing hemorrhoids starts with fixing the root issue that led to their irritation,” says Neha Mathur, MD, gastroenterologist at Houston Methodist. “People need to manage bowel irregularities, whether that’s treating constipation or diarrhea. Lifestyle modifications such as drinking plenty of water daily are also recommended.” Here’s what else can help:
Up your fiber intake
Dr. Mathur recommends consuming 25 to 30 grams of fiber a day—and sufficient water intake to help the fiber to work more effectively. This both softens hard-to-pass stools to reduce straining and adds bulk to loose stools for more complete bowel movements.
“Fiber can be obtained in the diet with fruits and vegetables, legumes and whole grains,” offers Dr. Eldredge. But if you don’t get enough fiber through diet alone, consider supplementing to up your intake.
Make the bathroom a no-phone zone
Tempted to scroll for home decor inspo on Instagram while you’re on the toilet? A Harvard study finds ditching the common habit may lower your risk of developing hemorrhoids by 46 percent. Unlike sitting on a chair, a toilet seat leaves delicate tissues unsupported, making them more likely to engorge and bulge into hemorrhoids.
The researchers say that lingering any longer than five minutes is enough to increase your risk—something smartphone scrollers were five times more likely to do, usually without realizing they’d lost track of time. Interestingly, the study found that the habit may be just as bad as straining and constipation, the other two most common hemorrhoid triggers.
Snack on kiwis
A study in Nutrients suggests that eating two of the fruits a day helps reverse chronic constipation, which research in Frontiers in Surgery identified as a top cause of hemorrhoids. Not only does kiwis’ abundance of water-holding fiber help soften stool to curb straining, their special enzyme actinidin is thought to boost your body’s ability to digest proteins that can increase constipation while improving gastric emptying.
Drink up
Dehydration is a sneaky cause of hemorrhoids. In a Tunisian study, researchers found that people who drank less than about 8 cups of water a day had nearly nine times higher odds of hemorrhoids compared to those who stayed better hydrated. An easy way to keep your water intake up: Fill a reusable water bottle, like the S’well Glass Bottle (which doesn’t retain unwanted flavors like plastic bottles can), and toss it in your bag before heading out for the day so that you’ll always have water at hand.
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