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Top External Hemorrhoid Treatments Ranked

Hemorrhoid.com By Hemorrhoid.com | August 7, 2024

By age 50, half of all adults will have hemorrhoids1. Knowing the top treatments for external hemorrhoids makes a big difference in your comfort and healing. Most people won’t need to see a doctor unless they have bleeding or a lot of pain2. There are many treatments you can buy to help with your symptoms.

Doctors often recommend ANUSOL Plus and Preparation H Rapid Relief Cream2. They work quickly to ease symptoms. Ingredients like pramoxine hydrochloride and lidocaine help by soothing pain and lessening swelling. Plus, Preparation H Ointment is a favorite among GI doctors for its effectiveness3. Natural options, such as witch hazel and aloe, are also gentle and helpful for relief.

Key Takeaways

Understanding External Hemorrhoids

External hemorrhoids are swollen veins around the anus or lower rectum, caused by increased pressure. They lead to discomfort, pushing people to find relief. We will explore what external hemorrhoids are, their causes and symptoms, and why you should treat them quickly.

What Are External Hemorrhoids?

These swollen veins near the anus cause pain and discomfort. While some with hemorrhoids have no symptoms, many others do. If severe, they can lead to bleeding during bowel movements, showing bright red blood4.

Common Causes and Symptoms

Several factors, like pregnancy and chronic constipation, can cause external hemorrhoids. Women might report them more due to specific risks. Symptoms include itching, irritation, and pain, which can get worse if a clot forms, known as thrombosis4.

Following the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans helps. They recommend 14 grams of fiber per 1,000 calories eaten to aid digestion5. Drinking 12-16 cups of water a day can also prevent constipation and lower hemorrhoid risks5.

Importance of Timely Treatment

Treating external hemorrhoids on time is key to managing symptoms and avoiding worse problems. Changes in diet and lifestyle can improve symptoms in 1-2 weeks5. Warm baths and pain relievers are immediate reliefs. Creams and ointments with lidocaine or witch hazel can also help within a week56.

In serious cases, medical treatments may be needed. Hemorrhoidectomy and hemorrhoidopexy are surgical options, but they need recovery time. It’s important to talk to healthcare experts about the best treatments and recovery practices for effective relief.

Over-the-Counter Hemorrhoid Treatments

Many people use over-the-counter treatments to ease the discomfort of external hemorrhoids. You can find these treatments in different forms, like creams, ointments, and suppositories. They meet various needs and preferences.

Popular OTC Hemorrhoid Creams

Preparation H is a well-known cream for hemorrhoids, offering effective relief. It’s used up to four times a day7. Tucks, often in suppository form, contains zinc oxide and cocoa butter. You can use it up to six times a day7. These products help quickly ease pain and itching8.

Effective Ingredients to Look For

Looking for specific ingredients in hemorrhoid treatments is key. Hydrocortisone is great for reducing swelling and itchiness8. Lidocaine and pramoxine offer numbing effects for pain8. Phenylephrine helps shrink hemorrhoids by constricting blood vessels.

Application Methods

Applying OTC hemorrhoid products correctly is essential. You can apply creams like Preparation H up to four times each day7. Products such as Tucks may be used more often7. Always follow the package instructions and keep the area clean to help reduce symptoms77.

If creams aren’t your thing, suppositories might work for you. They can include helpful ingredients like witch hazel7. Both options, along with sitz baths and more fiber in your diet, manage hemorrhoids well7.

Using these OTC solutions correctly is very important. They provide relief and help healing. If you don’t see improvement within a week, it’s best to see a healthcare provider for other options77.

Natural Remedies for External Hemorrhoids

Natural remedies help heal external hemorrhoids in a gentle way. They are often easy to find. Using natural ingredients, they not only ease discomfort but also help the healing process.

Benefits of Natural Treatments

One in 20 Americans have had hemorrhoids, showing a need for treatments that are easy to get9. Natural solutions are good because they ease symptoms without harsh chemicals. They also cost less than doctor-prescribed medicines. Adding more fiber to your diet and drinking plenty of water are key to stop and soothe hemorrhoids10. Walking 20-30 minutes every day can also keep constipation away11.

Effective Home Remedies

A study in 2012 showed certain home treatments work well. It mixed tea tree oil, hyaluronic acid, and methyl-sulfonyl-methane. After 2 weeks, it lowered pain, bleeding, and swelling more than a fake treatment did9. Coconut oil helps with its anti-swelling effects9. Aloe vera and witch hazel ease pain and cut down on swelling too. Coconut oil also fights bacteria, which can speed up healing9.

Precautions and Considerations

Be careful using natural treatments for external hemorrhoids. Some can irritate the skin if you’re allergic. Creams with lidocaine or witch hazel can relieve pain and itching up to four times daily11. But remember, even if these remedies help, they shouldn’t replace a doctor’s guidance for serious issues.

best external hemorrhoid treatment

Finding the right treatment for external hemorrhoids is vital. You need to look at products and listen to expert advice for real relief. There are many top products that help fight off the symptoms of external hemorrhoids well.

Top-Rated Products

ANUSOL Plus Hemorrhoidal Ointment and Preparation H Rapid Relief Cream are highly recommended. ANUSOL helps with pain and itching. Preparation H works quickly to ease discomfort. These products use ingredients that effectively reduce hemorrhoid symptoms, making them top picks.

Expert Recommendations

Proctology experts suggest treatments with hydrocortisone and witch hazel. They note that over-the-counter products offer temporary help but haven’t been closely studied for long-term use12. For more serious cases, less invasive treatments are advised. They work for grades I to III hemorrhoids12. Experts also say that fiber can cut bleeding by half and improve symptoms12.

User Reviews and Ratings

Choosing the right treatment is key, considering your skin and symptoms. Motherlove Postpartum Rhoid Balm and Boiron HemCalm Ointment are praised for their natural ingredients and soothing effects. User stories highlight the value of picking products that work fast and are rated highly.

Product Key Ingredients User Rating Pros Cons
ANUSOL Plus Hemorrhoidal Ointment Keratolytic, Astringent 4.5/5 Effective relief, Widely available Potential for skin thinning with prolonged use
Preparation H Rapid Relief Cream Hydrocortisone, Phenylephrine 4.4/5 Fast-acting, Long-lasting relief Not advisable for long-term use due to hydrocortisone
Motherlove Postpartum Rhoid Balm Organic Beeswax, Calendula 4.7/5 Natural ingredients, Gentle on sensitive skin May require consistent application
Boiron HemCalm Ointment Plant-based, Homeopathic 4.6/5 Natural relief, Minimal side effects May not be as fast-acting as chemical-based
Revivol-XR Hydrocortisone, Lidocaine 4.4/5 Immediate relief, Good for acute cases Potential for egregious side effects

To pick the best external hemorrhoid cream, think about your personal needs. This will ensure you get relief and satisfaction.

Top-Rated Hemorrhoid Creams and Ointments

When looking for the best hemorrhoid creams and ointments, we focus on their effectiveness, how easy they are to use, and what users think. We’ll talk about three top products known for relieving symptoms effectively.

ANUSOL Plus Hemorrhoidal Ointment

ANUSOL Plus Hemorrhoidal Ointment is loved for its zinc oxide, which heals and protects. Users say it quickly eases discomfort and helps heal. It also makes a barrier to protect against irritation from bowel movements.

Preparation H Rapid Relief Cream

Preparation H Rapid Relief Cream is known for lidocaine, which relieves pain fast. It also has phenylephrine HCl to reduce swelling, making it a top choice. It costs $29 and is great for serious hemorrhoid cases1. For more on treating hemorrhoids, check out this resource.

Doctor Butler’s Hemorrhoid & Fissure Ointment

Doctor Butler’s combines lidocaine USP 4.0% with phenylephrine HCl 0.25% to tackle pain and swelling. This cream is praised for its results on both fissures and hemorrhoids. At $35, it’s pricier but effective according to users1

Hemorrhoid cream prices range from $8 to $411. Yet, their ability to treat symptoms is what matters most. The three products we mentioned are excellent choices. They offer real relief and are worth the cost for those with hemorrhoids. Learn more about top hemorrhoid creams to find the best option for you.

Alternative Treatments for Severe Cases

For those with serious hemorrhoids, seeking help from a doctor is key. Over-the-counter remedies aren’t always enough. A healthcare provider can offer access to diverse medical treatments for hemorrhoids, guiding patients towards solutions that work.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Seeing a doctor is wise if home treatments don’t ease symptoms after a week. This is also true for severe pain or if there’s bleeding13. About 75% of Americans face hemorrhoids sometime, often during pregnancy14. Almost half of individuals over 50 will experience it13. Knowing when it’s serious and acting fast is key to handling the issue.

Medical Procedures and Surgeries

Several less invasive options work well for tough hemorrhoid cases. Doctors may suggest rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy, or infrared coagulation15. For example, rubber band ligation is quite successful, helping about 750 out of 2200 patients14. For extremely bad cases, surgeries like excisional hemorrhoidectomy or stapled hemorrhoidopexy might be needed15.

Post-Treatment Care and Management

After treating hemorrhoids, how you care for yourself matters a lot. Managing pain might involve over-the-counter medicines or stool softeners like docusate sodium15. It’s also important to eat right, aiming for 25 to 35 grams of fiber daily, and keep clean15. Drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water daily helps heal and prevent issues14. Good aftercare ensures a smoother recovery without complications.

User Reviews and Insights

User experiences with hemorrhoids vary a lot. Some find quick relief, while others struggle more. People who have dealt with hemorrhoids share their stories to help others.

Real Experiences with Hemorrhoid Treatments

About 36 million men and women in the US deal with hemorrhoids each year. This shows how important it is to find effective treatments16. Many reviews talk about natural remedies like coconut oil because it reduces inflammation16. Also, products like Revivol-XR are praised for easing symptoms. People share their treatment stories on sites like Hemorrhoid.com, discussing what worked and what didn’t.

Success Stories

Many have beaten hemorrhoid issues with the right approaches. For instance, eating more fiber helps cut down on bleeding and discomfort by 50%17. Psyllium husk can also greatly ease symptoms and bleeding18. Folks who’ve made these dietary changes often talk about feeling much better. They say sticking to the plan and following doctor’s advice are key to getting better.

Common Challenges and Solutions

Not all treatments work well for everyone. Some folks try things like apple cider vinegar and garlic but find no relief16. There’s often frustration over how differently everyone responds to treatments. Also, having hemorrhoids usually means spending more time in the bathroom, which can make things worse18. But combining certain treatments and making lifestyle changes can really help manage the issues18.

Conclusion

In wrapping up this detailed look at handling external hemorrhoids, it’s clear that the best results come from using many strategies. Choosing the right products like ANUSOL Plus Hemorrhoidal Ointment and Preparation H Rapid Relief Cream is key. When these are paired with the newest medical treatments, they really help manage symptoms. Research shows that many adults face hemorrhoids, affecting up to 27.3% of them. This requires careful attention and the right approach to reduce symptoms and better your life1920.

If you’re dealing with serious symptoms, it’s wise to talk to a doctor about your options, including surgery. Certain surgeries, like stapled hemorrhoidopexy, have proven to work well according to the experts2120. Also, what works can vary from person to person. Staying consistent with your treatment is crucial for improvement.

Lastly, don’t forget about diet and using creams, as they can greatly cut down on bleeding and discomfort1921. With all the info provided here, you’re ready to tackle hemorrhoid care effectively. Managing this issue properly not only brings relief but also boosts your life quality significantly.

FAQ

What are the best external hemorrhoid treatments available over-the-counter?

Some top over-the-counter treatments are ANUSOL Plus Hemorrhoidal Ointment and Preparation H Rapid Relief Cream. They contain zinc sulfate, pramoxine hydrochloride, and lidocaine. These ingredients help ease pain and treat external hemorrhoids effectively.

What common symptoms indicate the presence of external hemorrhoids?

Common signs of external hemorrhoids are discomfort, pain, and sometimes bleeding. These symptoms happen because of increased pressure in veins near the anus or lower rectum.

Why is it important to treat external hemorrhoids promptly?

Treating external hemorrhoids quickly is key to ease symptoms and stop more serious problems. Issues like thrombosis of hemorrhoids can happen, leading to severe pain and possibly needing a doctor’s care.

What effective ingredients should I look for in over-the-counter hemorrhoid creams?

Seek ingredients like hydrocortisone for less swelling and itching, and pramoxine or lidocaine for pain relief. Phenylephrine is good too because it shrinks blood vessels in the area. These help in offering fast and effective relief.

What are some natural remedies for external hemorrhoids?

Natural remedies that work include sitz baths with Epsom salts, applying witch hazel, and using aloe vera gel. They are known for their soothing and anti-inflammatory effects.

Which top-rated products are recommended for external hemorrhoid relief?

Highly recommended products for easing external hemorrhoids include ANUSOL Plus Hemorrhoidal Ointment, Preparation H Rapid Relief Cream, and Doctor Butler’s Hemorrhoid & Fissure Ointment. Users give them good reviews for their effective ingredients and quick symptom relief.

When should I see a healthcare provider for hemorrhoid treatment?

See a healthcare provider if your external hemorrhoids are severe, not getting better with over-the-counter treatments, or if you have a lot of pain or bleeding. Medical treatments like rubber band ligation or surgery might be needed.

What post-treatment care is recommended after medical procedures for hemorrhoids?

After medical treatments for hemorrhoids, it’s important to manage pain, change your diet to avoid constipation, and keep good hygiene. Doing these can help you recover smoothly and prevent hemorrhoids from coming back.

What are some common challenges faced during hemorrhoid treatment?

Challenges during treatment include skin sensitivity to creams, needing multiple treatments, and changing your lifestyle. Finding the right treatment plan for your specific needs and symptoms is often key to getting better.

Source Links

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  16. How To Get Rid Of Hemorrhoids Naturally – What Really Works And What Doesn’t : Midwest Institute for Non-Surgical Therapy: Vascular and Interventional Radiologists – https://www.mintstl.com/blog/how-to-get-rid-of-hemorrhoids-naturally-what-really-works-and-what-doesnt
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