You don’t have to use soap but do use warm or hot water. Leftover fecal matter can irritate your hemorrhoids, so use a soothing wipe after every bowel movement. You can buy these wipes at any drugstore, and many of them contain soothing witch hazel.
You could also buy a sitz bath that fits over your toilet.
If you prefer, you can use pre-made witch hazel pads, make specifically for hemorrhoids.
Always wash your hands and the applicator after applying the salve. A salve is sometimes a nice choice because it provides an extra layer of protection between your skin and clothing, which can prevent further irritation. If you dislike the way the salve feels while you’re going about your day, stick with witch hazel-soaked pads.
A tincture is a concentrated form of something else. Witch hazel tincture generally comes in a dropper bottle and is much more potent than regular witch hazel. It’s important for your suppository as it wouldn’t work if the witch hazel were too watery.
In this case, a suppository is a solid dose of some type of medicine that gets inserted into the rectum. It releases the soothing witch hazel as it melts.
The suppository needs to be as cold and firm as possible for it to be fully inserted in your rectum.
You could also use a finger cot, which is like a disposable glove but just for an individual finger. If you don’t have a glove or finger cot, you can use your bare hand. Just make sure to thoroughly wash your hands both before and after inserting the suppository.
If the suppository looks too large when you take it out of the freezer, you can cut it in half. Doing so won’t make it any less effective.
You may need to push the suppository up inside using a finger. It may be a little uncomfortable but should be over very quickly!
You may get chilly while you’re waiting for the suppository to work, so it can be handy to have a blanket nearby. Try watching some funny videos on your phone while you’re waiting—they’ll help distract you and make the time pass more quickly.
You can use this kind of suppository up to 3 times if you need to for relief.
Let your doctor know that you’ve been treating your hemorrhoids at home with witch hazel. If you’re over the age of 40, it’s especially important that you talk to your doctor if you notice bleeding. While it’s most likely from hemorrhoids, bleeding can also be a symptom of something more serious.
Don’t drive yourself if you’re dizzy or lightheaded. Call a friend to come pick you up or order a car to take you.
In rare cases, your doctor may decide to do a colonoscopy if they suspect you have a condition other than hemorrhoids. This test is generally painless, though you may experience some discomfort.
Read the label before using the product and make sure you follow all of the directions.
Your doctor can cut off the blood supply by doing a rubber band ligation, which means tying rubber bands around the hemorrhoid. This makes it fall off. To shrink your hemorrhoid, your doctor might inject it with a chemical that treats it locally. Your doctor can use heat from a laser or infrared light to shrink and harden your hemorrhoid. In rare cases, your doctor might remove or staple your hemorrhoid to help relieve your symptoms.
