This guide outlines how to remove external hemorrhoids at home, and what you should NEVER EVER do!
Everyone has hemorrhoids. The vascular cushions seal the intestine to the outside and prevent uncontrolled stool leakage. They only become a problem when they are pathologically enlarged. Then they can cause symptoms such as itching and burning in the anal area, oozing or bleeding. Experts call this haemorrhoidal disease.
On the Internet, some product providers promise to be able to put an end to enlarged hemorrhoids with home remedies within a very short time. But does it work? Can enlarged hemorrhoids be gone and regress in about three days if only the right home remedy is used?
The sobering answer: no. Home remedies such as creams, ointments, hemorrhoid pillows or other measures can at most temporarily alleviate the symptoms. However, this does not reduce the size of the hemorrhoids. This also applies to prescription products for external use.
However, with some self-measures, the associated complaints may be reduced. But which home remedy really helps? And which of them helps quickly?
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How to remove external hemorrhoids at home
For mild complaints caused by enlarged hemorrhoids, there are over-the-counter preparations from the pharmacy, such as
creams/ointments/pastes,
How to remove external hemorrhoids at home: Suppositories or anal tampons
These home remedies are mainly intended to help against symptoms such as itching or skin irritation. Ointments, creams or pastes often contain anti-inflammatory agents such as zinc, panthenol, aloe vera or witch hazel. Calendula ointment is also recommended more often.
It is important to know that whether these preparations help has not yet been sufficiently investigated in studies.
Preparations with the active ingredient lidocaine numb the surrounding skin and can thus temporarily alleviate the symptoms. However, they should only be used for a limited time. Hemorrhoid ointments, creams or pastes are applied to the respective area several times a day after a bowel movement.
Alternatively, there is the possibility of using suppositories or anal tampons with appropriate active ingredients:
Suppositories are inserted into the rectum. Compared to anal tampons, they do not release their active ingredients in the anal canal, but in the upper sections of the intestine. For example, suppositories containing the active ingredient lidocaine are intended to relieve pain by blocking the transmission of pain stimuli.
Anal tampons are suppositories around which a gauze strip containing active ingredients is wrapped. They remain in the anal canal and release their active ingredients directly there.
However, the extent to which suppositories and anal tampons as home remedies actually help against hemorrhoid symptoms has not been conclusively researched.
How to remove external hemorrhoids at home: what are the benefits of hemorrhoid pillows?
Hemorrhoid pillows minimize pressure on the rectum. Visually, most of the cushions are reminiscent of a swimming ring. In the middle opening, the buttocks should lie as comfortably as possible. Hemorrhoid pillows are designed to make it easier to sit and relieve possible pain.
Please note, however, that pain in the anal area often has another cause – for example, a small tear in the anal mucosa (anal fissure) or (harmless) anal thrombosis. Therefore, always have pain clarified by a doctor. Pain in enlarged hemorrhoids usually does not appear until the disease is far advanced.
If it is indeed an advanced hemorrhoidal condition, a hemorrhoid pillow as a home remedy certainly can’t hurt. However, it is more important to seek medical treatment for the condition. This is the only way for those affected to prevent the haemorrhoids from enlarging further and leading to complications.
A hemorrhoid pillow can also be used after surgery. When enlarged hemorrhoids had to be surgically removed, most patients experience pain in the anal area for a period of time afterwards. Then a seat ring can bring relief.
How to remove external hemorrhoids at home: Is a sitz bath a solution?
Some sufferers rely on sitz baths to alleviate symptoms caused by hemorrhoids. In a sitz bath, only the lower body is in the water, while the upper body remains outside the water. The bathtub is suitable for a sitz bath, or you can use a large but low container. There are also special ‘sitting bathtubs’ in which only the abdomen and thighs are in the water.
The sitz bath can either consist only of clear warm water — do not make it too hot — and you can optionally add herbal bath additives. For example, bath additives with
- Camomile
- Arnica
- Oak bark, or
- Tea tree oil.
Some sufferers find it beneficial to place a cool quark compress or a cold bag of black tea on the anal area after the sitz bath.
Some bath additives, such as tea tree oil, can also irritate the anal area or discolor the surrounding skin. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and, if in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not use soap in bath water as it can cause irritation.
Important to know: sitz baths can be pleasant – but it has not been scientifically proven that they actually have a benefit as a home remedy for hemorrhoid complaints.
How to remove external hemorrhoids at home: honey, tea tree oil, banana etc
Simply smear a mashed banana, some honey or tea tree oil on the hemorrhoids and the discomfort is gone? There are various such or similar tips circulating on the Internet for enlarged hemorrhoids.
One thing is certain: Whether home remedies such as honey, banana or tea tree oil help has not yet been investigated in studies. If at all, they only temporarily alleviate the symptoms – but not reduce the enlarged hemorrhoids.
Users should also be careful with tea tree oil as a home remedy. Especially in concentrated/undiluted form, the oil can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions.
How to remove external hemorrhoids at home: pay attention to toilet habits
High pressure on the anal area increases the likelihood that the hemorrhoids will (further) enlarge. In this context, it can be useful to take a closer look at your own toilet habits:
- Be careful not to strain on the toilet. The more and longer you strain, the more stress is placed on the anal region.
- Do not linger on the toilet longer than necessary.
- Only go to the toilet when you feel the urge to urinate or defecate – and not because it’s supposedly ‘time’.
- Conversely, do not hold back the urge to defecate for an unnecessarily long time, but go to the toilet as soon as possible.
If you take these tips to heart, you will not eliminate the haemorrhoidal condition, but you can counteract its progression.
How to remove external hemorrhoids at home: Gentle hygiene
If the anal region is very irritated, you can alleviate the discomfort with thorough but gentle anal hygiene.
- Avoid vigorous wiping or rubbing with the toilet paper and gently blot the irritated area instead.
- It can also be helpful to lightly wet the toilet paper with water before using it and then pat the anal region dry.
- Do not use the ‘wet wipes’ as they often contains substances that can further irritate the already irritated skin.
Thorough anal hygiene is essential. However, you should not overdo it, otherwise the symptoms may increase. Wash the anal area with lukewarm water. Do not use soaps or aggressive washing lotions.
How to remove external hemorrhoids at home: counteracting constipation
Hard bowel movements cause sufferers to strain on the toilet – and this can exacerbate haemorrhoidal disease. Therefore, it is recommended to get digestion going and counteract constipation by achieving a soft bowel movement.
Various home remedies can help with this. A balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables and fiber and sufficient fluid intake promote digestion. Fibre-rich foods include whole grain products (e.g. wholemeal bread), flaxseed, nuts or dried fruit.
Note: Too much fiber can cause diarrhea in some people, which in turn irritates the anal region. Therefore, those affected should slowly change their diet.
Fiber such as psyllium can also stimulate digestion. There is also evidence that psyllium reduces the risk of hemorrhoidal bleeding. If you take psyllium, you should definitely drink enough, otherwise the seeds can stick together and block the intestines.
If you have certain illnesses, you should not take psyllium, for example if you have already had an intestinal obstruction. Therefore, talk to your doctor before use.
Fiber and drinking plenty of fluids: the right diet for hemorrhoids
In addition to a healthy diet, physical activity is an important point to boost digestion. If you exercise regularly, you stimulate bowel movement. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that healthy adults up to the age of 64 do at least 150 to 300 minutes of endurance exercise per week, such as jogging, swimming or cycling.
How to remove external hemorrhoids at home: when are home remedies not enough?
Some home remedies may be helpful in temporarily relieving symptoms caused by enlarged hemorrhoids. However, haemorrhoidal disease progresses without medical treatment.
Basically, the more severe the haemorrhoidal disease, the longer the treatment. Therefore, it is advisable to seek professional help at the first symptoms.
Last but not least, it is important to rule out other diseases.
Symptoms such as itching, oozing, burning or bleeding can have many other causes. Many of them are harmless, but there can also be a serious illness such as colon cancer behind them. Therefore, you should always have such symptoms clarified. In case of severe discomfort and/or blood in the stool, a prompt visit to the doctor is recommended.
Summary
Remedies for how to remove external hemorrhoids at home promise relief, especially for mild symptoms. However, some home remedy fans are also convinced that with the right remedy, not only the symptoms, but even the disease itself can be eliminated within a few days — but this is not the case.
Have patience, follow the tactics for prevention as well as treatment and you will see results. If you don’t it’s time to consult a doctor.
Photo by Karolina Grabowska
