How Diarrhea Causes Hemorrhoid Flare-Ups (and How to Calm One Down Fast)

Ask most people what causes hemorrhoids and they'll say constipation and straining. That's true, but it's only half the story. Diarrhea is the other major trigger, and in some ways it's the more punishing one, because a bad bout can mean ten or more bowel movements a day for days or weeks on end.

Why loose stools inflame hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are cushions of blood vessels in and around the anal canal. Everyone has them. They only become a problem when they swell, and diarrhea creates almost perfect conditions for that:

• Repeated pressure. Every urgent trip to the bathroom means another round of pressure through the anal canal. Multiply that by a dozen trips a day and the veins never get a chance to recover.
• Straining you don't notice. Cramping and the constant feeling of "not quite done" lead people to push and linger on the toilet, which is exactly what swells hemorrhoidal veins.
• Chemical irritation. Loose stool carries more digestive enzymes and bile acids than formed stool, and those irritate the delicate tissue of the anal canal and the skin around it.
• Wiping trauma. Frequent wiping with dry paper leaves skin raw, itchy, and prone to burning, which many people mistake for the hemorrhoid itself getting worse.

A simple calm-down plan

1. Treat the cause. A flare-up won't fully settle while the diarrhea continues. Short bouts often resolve on their own with fluids and a bland diet, but diarrhea lasting more than a few days, or accompanied by fever, blood, or severe pain, deserves a call to your doctor. Some infections going around right now, including the cyclospora parasite in the news this summer, require prescription treatment.

2. Switch from wiping to cleansing. Trade dry toilet paper for a gentle cleansing lotion such as Revivol-XR Hygienic Cleansing Lotion, formulated with aloe and witch hazel for exactly this kind of raw, over-wiped skin.

3. Soak in a warm sitz bath. Ten to fifteen minutes in warm water, two or three times daily, increases blood flow and relaxes irritated tissue. Revivol-XR Sitz Bath Soak blends Epsom salt with 19 other soothing ingredients.

4. Use a targeted OTC cream. For pain and swelling, Revivol-XR Advanced Hemorrhoid Cream pairs 5% lidocaine with phenylephrine, and for maximum numbing relief on its own there's our 5% Lidocaine Numbing Cream.

5. Protect the skin between bowel movements. Pat dry rather than rub, wear breathable cotton underwear, and avoid sitting for long stretches on the toilet.

When it's more than a flare-up

Rectal bleeding, a painful lump that doesn't shrink within a few days, fever, or symptoms that persist beyond a week of home care all warrant a medical visit. Bleeding in particular should always be evaluated rather than assumed to be hemorrhoids.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Revivol-XR products provide temporary relief of hemorrhoid symptoms and do not treat the underlying causes of diarrhea.