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About 10% of adults have hemorrhoids, says Dr. Sergey V. Kantsevoy of The Center for Therapeutic Endoscopy1. These swollen veins in the rectum and anus can cause a lot of discomfort. Many people look for quick relief in products like ANUSOL Plus Hemorrhoidal Ointment and Preparation H. It’s important to know your options for treatment. This can help you heal faster and feel better.
Finding the right hemorrhoidal cream can be hard. Walgreens Hemorrhoidal Pain Relief Cream is a cheaper option at $8.88 per ounce2. Preparation H Rapid Relief With Lidocaine is pricier at $33.99 for a 1 oz tube but acts fast2. Look for creams with lidocaine, witch hazel, zinc oxide, or hydrocortisone. These ingredients help reduce pain, swelling, and irritation.
By age 50, about half of all adults will have experienced hemorrhoids3. They are common, but there are ways to manage them effectively. Over-the-counter products and changing your lifestyle can offer a lot of relief. This article will show you the best ointments for hemorrhoids. It will cover their ingredients, how to apply them, and each option’s pros and cons.
Hemorrhoids, also called piles, are swollen veins in your rectum and anus’s lowest part. They cause rectal discomfort, especially during bowel movements. Luckily, they’re generally manageable and easy to treat.
Increased pressure in the rectal and anal areas leads to hemorrhoids. This pressure comes from pregnancy, long-standing constipation, and often straining during bowel movements. To avoid constipation and hence hemorrhoids, you should eat about 28 grams of fiber per 2,000 calories each day4. Also, adults are advised to drink 12-16 cups of water (96-128 oz) daily to keep constipation at bay4. For those not eating enough fiber, supplements like psyllium or methylcellulose are suggested4.
Hemorrhoids’ symptoms include pain, itching, swelling, and sometimes bleeding. They can greatly affect your quality of life. When the discomfort gets severe, many seek medical help for relief.
To diagnose hemorrhoids, doctors start with a physical check. They look for swollen veins. Sometimes, they perform a digital rectal exam (DRE) or anoscopy for a closer look at internal hemorrhoids. It’s essential to confirm hemorrhoids to rule out other conditions. This ensures proper treatment for hemorrhoids and any other issues.
Choosing the right hemorrhoid treatment is important. You should know about the active ingredients and how to use them properly. Understanding the benefits and drawbacks of each option helps you decide.
When picking OTC hemorrhoid ointments, look for key healing ingredients. Good choices include:
To get the best relief, applying hemorrhoid cream right is key. Follow these steps:
How often you use it can change. For instance, Preparation H Soothing Relief Anti Itch Cream is okay to use up to four times daily1. Always follow the exact instructions to avoid any bad effects3.
There are several reasons to go for OTC hemorrhoid ointments, but don’t forget to think about possible downsides:
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Easy to buy3 | May need many applications for ongoing relief1 |
Works well for easing pain and swelling3 | Not good for using a lot without doctor advice3 |
Lots of choices for different symptoms3 | Could cause minor irritation for some3 |
Products like Preparation H and Motherlove are great over-the-counter hemorrhoid treatment options. Just remember to use them the right way and know their limits35.
ANUSOL Plus Hemorrhoidal Ointment is great for easing hemorrhoid pain. Its key components, zinc oxide and pramoxine, help reduce irritation and relieve pain effectively. It’s best used for external hemorrhoids due to its easy application and soothing effect.
Zinc oxide in the ointment creates a barrier to protect the area from more harm. Pramoxine acts as a painkiller, easing the discomfort and making day-to-day activities easier. Together, they provide a powerful way to manage hemorrhoid pain.
While ANUSOL is great for pain and irritation, it doesn’t fully tackle itching. For that, a product like Preparation H Anti Itch Cream, with hydrocortisone, might work better.
For help picking the right treatment, look at sites like Hemorrhoid.com for advice and suggestions. New products, like Revivol-XR, keep improving hemorrhoid care, giving people more choices for better healing.
Product | Main Ingredients | Benefits |
---|---|---|
ANUSOL Plus Hemorrhoidal Ointment | Zinc Oxide, Pramoxine | Pain Relief, Skin Protection |
Preparation H Anti Itch Cream | Hydrocortisone | Relieves Itching |
Revivol-XR | Proprietary Blend | Enhanced Healing |
Natural remedies help ease hemorrhoid discomfort. They are a good choice besides over-the-counter options. Many find these methods effective.
A sitz bath is recommended for natural hemorrhoid relief. Try products like Thena Natural Wellness Organic Sitz Bath Soak. They reduce inflammation and help tissue repair. Ingredients like Epsom salt, aloe, and witch hazel heal. Within weeks, hemorrhoids, or piles, usually get better6.
Warm water relaxes the sphincter muscle. It lessens swelling and soothes pain and itchiness.
2016 research suggests loose, breathable cotton clothes prevent hemorrhoid irritation6. More fiber and water make bowel movements easier. That way, you avoid straining that leads to hemorrhoids7.
Herbal and organic creams are great for treating hemorrhoids. They use herbs’ anti-inflammatory and healing powers. Motherlove Postpartum Rhoid Balm uses witch hazel and yarrow herb. It offers fast relief, which is great during the postpartum period. Around 5% of Americans get hemorrhoids at some point8. Warm teabags and aloe vera gel can lessen swelling. They also ease itching or burning7.
Organic creams are a safe, chemical-free option. About 1 in 20 Americans will deal with hemorrhoids. Having effective, natural remedies is crucial8. Adding lifestyle changes like exercise and breathable clothes helps. It lowers the risk of getting or worsening hemorrhoids7.
Preparation H offers effective relief for hemorrhoid symptoms. It’s the top choice among doctors for OTC hemorrhoid treatments. With its varied and focused solutions, it stands out9.
The Preparation H Rapid Relief Cream uses lidocaine and phenylephrine for fast and lasting comfort. It’s unique for its max strength pramoxine, easing pain and itching9. This cream gives quick relief for those in immediate need.
Preparation H Hemorrhoidal Cooling Gel combines witch hazel with aloe for a cooling effect. This cooling gel for hemorrhoids soothes and relieves irritation, making it widely used.
Preparation H medicated wipes offer soothing care on the go. With chamomile, aloe, and cucumber, they cool and clean comfortably9. The Rapid Relief Totables are also safe for flushing, adding to their convenience9.
Product | Description | Active Ingredients | Price | Units Sold | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rapid Relief Cream | Maximum strength pramoxine for pain, burning, itching relief | Lidocaine, Phenylephrine | $33.99 per 1 oz | 130 units | 10 |
Hemorrhoidal Cooling Gel | Reduces inflammation with witch hazel and aloe | Witch Hazel, Aloe | $19.99 per 2 oz | 36 units | 11 |
Flushable Wipes | Infused with chamomile, aloe, cucumber, and a cooling medication | Chamomile, Aloe, Cucumber | $21.99 per 24 ea | 45 units | 10 |
When you’re pregnant or recently had a baby, you might face hemorhoids due to many changes. The extra weight and pressure in your pelvis can make blood flow tough12. This problem often shows up in the last three months of pregnancy and can last into the first month after birth12. Changing hormones, eating differently, moving less, and taking iron can make constipation worse. This, in turn, can make hemorrhoids a bigger issue12.
Trying too hard when going to the bathroom and the strain of giving birth can make things worse. This is why handling hemorrhoids right is so important13.
The Motherlove Postpartum Rhoid Balm is made just for new moms. It uses natural stuff to be safe for you and your baby. It helps ease pain, itchiness, and bleeding from hemorrhoids12. Along with eating more fiber, drinking water, and using stool softeners, this balm can really make a difference12.
Earth Mama’s Herbal Perineal Spray is another great choice for after childbirth. With herbs like peppermint and witch hazel, it cools and soothes immediately. Using this spray can lower your discomfort and help with hemorrhoids13. Adding right foods and habits with regular spray use can take away a lot of the pain13.
Knowing why hemorrhoids happen when you’re pregnant or just had a baby helps you find how to deal with them. Choosing natural treatments like Motherlove balm or Earth Mama spray brings safe relief. Adding these to your after-baby care, with things like sitz baths and exercise, can really help with your symptoms13.
For hemorrhoid relief, ANUSOL Plus and Preparation H Rapid Relief Cream are top choices. ANUSOL Plus helps with pain using zinc oxide and pramoxine. Preparation H quickly eases discomfort with lidocaine and phenylephrine. Natural options like Thena Natural Wellness Organic Sitz Bath Soak are also effective.
Hemorrhoids happen when pressure increases in the rectal area. This can come from pregnancy, constant constipation, or sitting too long. The pressure makes veins in the area swell, leading to hemorrhoids.
The main signs are pain, itching, and swelling. You might also bleed during bowel movements. These issues can really affect your day-to-day life, pushing many to find treatment.
Doctors find hemorrhoids by checking physically. They might look at the area or feel inside with a finger. This helps them see the hemorrhoids and check for other problems.
Look for witch hazel and zinc oxide for relief, hydrocortisone to reduce swelling, and pain relievers like pramoxine and lidocaine. Phenylephrine, which shrinks blood vessels, is also good. These are in many over-the-counter (OTC) hemorrhoid products.
Use the cream as the instructions say. Clean the area first, then put the ointment directly on the hemorrhoids. Cover them well. You might need to do this a few times a day for the best effect.
OTC treatments are easy to get, provide quick relief, and work well for mild issues. However, you might have to apply them often, and they might not be good for long-term use without a doctor’s advice.
ANUSOL Plus works well because it has zinc oxide and pramoxine. Zinc oxide soothes and protects, while pramoxine eases the pain. This combination helps heal the skin around external hemorrhoids.
Natural treatments like sitz baths with Thena Natural Wellness Organic Sitz Bath Soak are great. It uses Epsom salt, aloe, and witch hazel to lessen swelling. Creams with herbs, like Motherlove Postpartum Rhoid Balm, also offer quick relief with natural ingredients.
Preparation H comes in several types. Rapid Relief Cream has lidocaine and phenylephrine for fast ease. The Cooling Gel combines witch hazel and aloe for soothing. Flushable Wipes offer cleanliness and relief anytime, anywhere.
Safe, effective treatments are key during pregnancy and after. Motherlove Postpartum Rhoid Balm and Earth Mama Herbal Perineal Spray use safe herbs for immediate comfort. They’re made to be safe for both moms and babies.