How to treat haemorrhoids: 12 home remedies for haemorrhoid relief

Want to learn more about how to treat haemorrhoids? Well, first you should know exactly what they are. Haemorrhoids are swollen veins in your anus and rectum that can get inflamed and cause symptoms like itching, burning, and bleeding (especially during a bowel movement). They can be internal or external. However, you can start healing from the inside out with a high-fibre diet, which can reduce the bleeding and pain from haemorrhoids. Doctors from the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University of North Carolina suggest filling your plate with fibre-rich foods for haemorrhoid relief. Think along the lines of fruits and vegetables, brown rice, whole grains, and nuts. (Fibre is also good for your gut microbiome.) Drinking plenty of water can also prevent constipation. Read more about the benefits of not drinking fizzy water.

External haemorrhoids can be soothed by applying a warm, wet tea bag, suggest experts at the University of California, San Francisco. The tannins in the tea will help reduce swelling, ease the pain, and promote blood clotting to stop the bleeding.

If you have a desk job, walk around for five minutes at least once an hour to relieve the rectal pressure that causes haemorrhoids. At the gym, avoid stationary bikes and squats, both of which can apply that same pressure. Instead, try walking briskly for 20 to 30 minutes to encourage bowel function, according to Harvard Medical School.

Warm water is recommended by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDKD) as a treatment for haemorrhoids. To reap its benefits, fill your bathtub or a sitz bath, which fits over the toilet, with ten or 12 centimetres of water. Take a seat in the water with your knees raised to get maximum exposure to the affected area. Dissolving a handful of Epsom salts in the tub before you start your soak will help soothe the haemorrhoids even more.

Blood vessels swell up with haemorrhoids, but coldness can shrink them and give major relief. Fill a bag with ice, wrap a thin cloth around it (don’t apply directly to skin), and sit on it for about 20 minutes for haemorrhoid relief, is another suggestion from Harvard Medical School. Repeat as necessary, but wait at least ten minutes between each application.

Change your daily shower to some bath time so that you can soak the anal area with warm water, according to the NIDDKD. Don’t use soap or alcohol-based or perfumed wipes, which could make haemorrhoids worse (don’t worry, a warm soak will still get you clean). When you’re out of the tub, use a hairdryer to dry the area gently.

How to treat haemorrhoids without gels or creams? Simply take the weight off your sore anal area, suggests University of California San Diego Student Health Services, by lying stretched out on a couch with your legs up for half an hour. You’ll improve circulation to your backside as well, improving haemorrhoid relief.

These are the world’s best health secrets you need to know.

Scented and coloured toilet paper contain extra chemicals that could irritate sensitive areas. Dampen plain, white, unscented toilet paper or use a moist towelette when you need to wipe, says the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Here’s how to treat haemorrhoids with Vaseline. Petroleum jelly can soothe the affected area if you dab a bit onto the sore spot for quicker haemorrhoid relief, says Harvard Medical School.

Holding in your bathroom breaks can lead to constipation, meaning you need to strain more when you do go. That could cause pressure in your abdominal area and bring on haemorrhoids. Avoiding this excess strain is key, according to the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. Instead of focusing on how to treat haemorrhoids, find a restroom as soon as you need one to avoid them in the first place.