Hemorrhoids Home Remedies and OTC Treatment
Hemorrhoids (sometimes called piles) are swollen veins in your anus and rectum that can cause pain, itching, and rectal bleeding. They can be either internal or external.
Internal hemorrhoids are located in the rectum and usually are not seen or felt. External hemorrhoids are on the outer skin of the anus.
Hemorrhoids are common. One in twenty Americans experience them at some point, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).
They typically go away in a few weeks on their own, but they can cause mild to severe discomfort.
Here are some home remedies and treatments that can help make them less disruptive.
Home remedies for hemorrhoids
Here are some common home remedies that can help relieve the symptoms of hemorrhoids.
Warm bath with Epsom salt
Warm baths can help soothe irritation from hemorrhoids. Try using a sitz bath — a small plastic tub that fits over a toilet seat so you can just immerse the affected area — or take a bath in a tub, if you can.
Try a warm bath or a sitz bath for 20 minutes after each bowel movement. Adding Epsom salt to the bath can provide further relief by reducing pain.
Keep reading for more remedies