Hemorrhoids can seriously disrupt your day and generally be a huge pain in your tush. Most people suffering from hemorrhoids look for a solution to the itching, burning and discomfort quickly and discreetly. While lifestyle changes such as eating fiber filled foods such as whole grains and fruits (including the skin of the fruit) help with reducing the physical conditions that cause hemorrhoids, there are several over the counter medications that can provide more immediate relief.
10. A Soft cushion- While it’s not a pill, a soft cushion can provide immediate relief without any sort of messy gels. Most pharmacies sell reasonably priced pillows designed to take pressure off your tush. Keep in mind, even with a pillow, it’s beneficial to stand up and stretch out about every hour or so, this will lessen the pressure put onto the area.
9. Protectants- the basic idea behind protectants is that you apply something to the tissue to prevent drying, irritation, and forms a protective barrier while the hemorrhoid heals. Zinc oxide and lanolin creams such as Desitin and Boudreaux’s Butt Paste are great for these purposes and have the distinct advantage of avoiding awkward movements with the cashier because it looks like you’re buying diaper rash cream for a baby.
8. Petroleum Jelly- Used just inside the anus, this will make bowl movements much less painful.
7. Hydrocortisone- Many hemorrhoid creams contain some amount of hydrocortisone. Products like cortisone 10, preparation H, and TUCKS all include this low dose steroid that temporarily reduce itching that may come with hemorrhoids.
6. Numbing medications- When the pain and itching have become too much, there are several versions of a topical numbing cream, which will temporarily desensitize the nerves and provide relief. The ingredient you want to look for is Bensocaine, dibucaine, or pramoxine which are present in several major brands such as Tronolane, TUCKS, Lanacane and Nuperncainal.
5. Witch hazel- For those who don’t like using products with ingredients that are difficult to pronounce and made in a lab somewhere, witch hazel is a surprisingly effective over the counter remedy. Witch hazel is not only an astringent, which shrink blood vessels, but also temporarily relieves itching and burning. It’s found in many pads and wipes such as TUCKS and Preparation H wipes.
4. Oral medication- Acetaminophen can be taken to relieve pain and inflammation, though aspirin and Ibuprofen should be avoided as they promote bleeding.
3. Fiber supplements- If you can’t eat enough beans, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, or cereals, supplements can be a good way to relieve the pain of hemorrhoids. Either taken as a pill or as a powder than can be added to water and variety of other foods, FiberCon and Benefiber are two options.
2. Water- Along with Fiber, increasing your water intake is an easy way to soften stool and make everything easier to pass.
1. Constricting medications- Preparation H, Tronolane, and Medicone ointments and suppositories, tighten blood vessels and help shrink tissues, and are particularly useful for external hemmroids. They all contain phenylephrine which is the ingredient responsible for tightening the blood vessels.
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