Hemorrhoid Treatments: Home Remedies, OTC Medicine, and More

At-home remedies can ease internal and external hemorrhoids, but seek medical help if symptoms get worse

There are many effective home remedies and over-the-counter (OTC) treatments that can relieve the symptoms and resolve the underlying causes of hemorrhoids.

External hemorrhoids (occurring outside of the rectum) tend to cause pain and itching, while internal hemorrhoids (occurring inside the rectum) are typically painless but can cause rectal bleeding.

Treatments may include:

  • Sitz baths
  • A high-fiber diet
  • Stool softeners
  • Topical medications
  • Pain relievers

If these measures don't work, a healthcare provider can suggest other options. In some cases, a medical procedure may be necessary to resolve hemorrhoids.

This article describes home remedies, lifestyle measures, and over-the-counter products that can help ease the symptoms of hemorrhoids. It also explains the types of procedures that may be needed if conservative measures fail to provide relief.

hemorrhoids treatment

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Natural Remedies

Home remedies are often very effective for managing the discomfort of hemorrhoids. This can include changes in diet to promote healing and prevent complications by easing the passing of stools.

Some common treatments include:

Sitz Baths

A sitz bath involves sitting in a shallow tub of warm water (or a bath) for 10 to 20 minutes to reduce itching and irritation. Baking soda or Epsom salts can be added to reduce inflammation. A mixture of 2 tablespoons each of Epsom salt and glycerin can also be applied to painful areas and then rinsed off in a sitz bath after 15 minutes.

Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is a natural astringent that can help relieve minor bleeding and prevent infection. You can dab it on gently with a cotton ball or even add a couple of tablespoons to a sitz bath.

Natural Treatments

Aloe vera gel, vitamin E oil, and coconut oil can be applied to the skin to help soothe and shrink minor hemorrhoids.

Ice Therapy

An ice pack can relieve inflammation and pain but should never be used for longer than 15 to 20 minutes. Anything longer can lead to frostbite.


Home remedies, along with OTC and prescription medications, are intended to relieve the symptoms of hemorrhoids and may shrink them. Some may go away on their own.

A hemorrhoid, external or internal, should only be removed by a healthcare provider. You should never try to remove, drain, or pop a hemorrhoid on your own. This can cause infection and excessive bleeding.

Lifestyle Changes

Simple lifestyle measures can prevent and treat hemorrhoids:

Careful Hygiene

Good hygiene is essential to treating hemorrhoids. Try using a squeeze bottle filled with warm water to rinse the anus after a bowel movement. Then dab the anus gently with a disposable baby wipe and allow to air dry.

High Fiber Diet

A diet rich in soluble fiber can help relieve constipation and prevent hemorrhoids from returning. Soluble fiber dissolves in water and forms a gel-like goo that helps ease the passing of stools. By making stools soft, there is less chance of rectal pain or bleeding.

Try to consume between 25 and 35 grams of fiber daily to keep your bowel movements regular.

Excellent sources of insoluble fiber include:

  • Beans and legumes
  • Dried fruit
  • Fresh fruits (but avoid bananas which can be binding)
  • Fresh vegetables, including greens, peas, and green beans
  • Whole grains, including barley, bran, brown rice, and whole-grain bread
  • Prune juice

It's also important to drink plenty of water to help the fiber in your diet work better and to help keep stools soft.

Fiber supplements containing psyllium, methylcellulose, or calcium polycarbophil can also help. 

OTC Medications

Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications can help relieve symptoms of hemorrhoids. Some can also promote healing by easing bowel movements. These include oral medications taken by mouth and topical medication applied to the skin.

Pain Relievers

Oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Aleve (naproxen) or Advil (ibuprofen) are highly effective in reducing the pain and swelling of mild-to-moderate hemorrhoids.

Topical Creams

NSAIDs are a good, first-line defense against hemorrhoid pain and inflammation. But if these fail to provide relief, hemorrhoid creams can be used to actively shrink inflamed tissues.

OTC and prescription options include:

  • Preparation-H: This is a popular OTC option previously made with shark oil but now formulated with 0.25% phenylephrine. Phenylephrine acts as a vasoconstrictor, actively shrinking blood vessels.
  • Hydrocortisone rectal cream: Available over the counter in 1.0% strength, hydrocortisone is a type of steroid drug that reduces inflammation by tempering the body's immune response.
  • Tribenoside and lidocaine (Procto-Glyvenol): This is an OTC medicine available as a suppository or rectal cream. Lidocaine is a local anesthetic that numbs the area, while tribenoside is an anti-inflammatory.
  • Rectogesic ointment: Made with 0.2% glyceryl trinitrate (nitroglycerin), Rectogesic is available by prescription only and works by relaxing blood vessels beneath the surface of the skin.

Stool Softeners

As their name suggests, stool softeners are OTC products that soften stools and help relieve constipation. They are also commonly known as emollient laxatives.

Stool softeners contain the active ingredient docusate sodium and are sold under various brand names, including Colace, Correctol, Diocto, Doxinate, Dulcoease, Ex-Lax Stool Softener, Fleet Sof-Lax, Modane Soft, Phillips' Stool Softener, and Surfak.

Stool softeners take at least a couple of days to take effect.

How Stool Softeners Work

Rather than inducing a bowel movement like a stimulant laxative, stool softeners block the absorption of water in the intestine, thereby increasing the volume of water in stools. The result is a softer stool that's easier to pass.

When to Seek Medical Help

Hemorrhoids tend to be more aggravating than anything else and are usually relieved with home remedies and/or medications.

You should seek immediate medical care if a hemorrhoid:

  • Causes severe anal pain
  • Causes rectal bleeding
  • Occurs with a fever
  • Occurs with abdominal pain and/or diarrhea

While complications are rare, they can and do occur sometimes. At the same time, other conditions can mimic hemorrhoids and be potentially serious, including an anal or rectal abscess or even colorectal cancer.

Types of Medical Treatments

When home remedies or medications are not effective in relieving hemorrhoids, a minimally invasive medical procedure or surgery may be necessary.

Non-Surgical Procedures

Several minimally invasive in-office procedures can be used to treat larger or severe hemorrhoids. These include:

  • Rubber band ligation: For this procedure, a rubber band is placed around the hemorrhoid, cutting off the blood flow and causing it to shrink, usually within days.
  • Sclerotherapy: A sclerosing (hardening) agent is injected into the hemorrhoid, causing the vein to collapse and shrivel up.
  • Infrared coagulation: An intense beam of infrared light is used to destroy tissues inside the anal canal to cut off the blood flow to an internal hemorrhoid.

Hemorrhoids Doctor Discussion Guide

Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider's appointment to help you ask the right questions.

Doctor Discussion Guide Man

Surgery

Surgery is reserved for only the most severe cases, including hemorrhoids that have thrombosed (filled with blood) or prolapsed (slipped outside of the anal canal).

Surgical options include:

  • Excisional hemorrhoidectomy: This involves the removal of a hemorrhoid with a scalpel. Afterward, the wound is stitched shut or left open to heal on its own. A hemorrhoidectomy is performed under general anesthesia.
  • Stapled hemorrhoidopexy: This is an alternative procedure in which a circular device staples the prolapsed hemorrhoid back into its original position while cutting off the blood supply. Although recovery time is shorter, hemorrhoid recurrence is possible. General or ​regional anesthesia may be used.
  • Doppler-guided hemorrhoid artery ligation: This is a minimally invasive procedure in which an ultrasound is used to locate the arterial blood flow. The blood vessel is then tied off and the prolapsed tissue is sutured back into place. General, regional, or local anesthesia may be used.

Summary

Hemorrhoids can be treated with home remedies, diet, OTC painkillers, and topical medications that actively shrink inflamed tissues. If these don't work, a medical procedure or surgery may be necessary.

7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. Hemorrhoids.

  2. Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School. Hemorrhoids and what to do about them.

  3. American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. Hemorrhoids.

  4. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Eating, diet, and nutrition for hemorrhoids.

  5. Lorenc Z, Gökçe Ö. Tribenoside and lidocaine in the local treatment of hemorrhoids: an overview of clinical evidence. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2016 Jun;20(12):2742-51.

  6. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Treatment of Hemorrhoids.

  7. Keck Medicine of USC. Is it hemorrhoids or colon cancer?

Additional Reading

By Cathy Wong
Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health.