How Do I Choose the Best Hemorrhoid Medicine?
There is perhaps no place to get more overwhelmed with advice than in searching the Internet for suggestions on the best hemorrhoid medicine. Treatment advice runs the gamut from the simple “do nothing” to complex formulas of herbs that are “guaranteed” to cure hemorrhoids in just a few days. Given the significant amount of conflicting concepts in hemorrhoid treatment, most people need a filter of some sort to interpret this data, and the best filter can be a doctor who suggests one or more treatments methods or hemorrhoid medicine strategies to patients. Therefore the best way to choose is to ask a doctor to help, which they may do over the phone, provided the condition is mild.
There are a few things that will help most cases of hemorrhoids and these include changing the diet to a high fiber one, so that stools are soft. Harder stools tend to correspond directly to development of hemorrhoids, and they tend to make those already present worse. It’s typically not recommended people use laxatives to soften stools, but instead they might try adding extra dietary fiber, and possibly taking a fiber supplement like psyllium husk. Products like Metamucil® or their generic equivalent can thus be viewed as a good hemorrhoid medicine, which can help soften stools.
The other issue with hemorrhoids that protrude or surround the anus is pain. Internal hemorrhoids aren't typically painful, but external ones or those that pop out with straining for a bowel movement can get raw or uncomfortable. Pain control of some sort is often needed. Some people turn to products like Preparation H®, which contains ingredients that may interact with certain conditions like high blood pressure or hyperthyroidism. It’s a good idea to check with a doctor prior to using this medication.
Another common suggestion is to use hemorrhoid medicine in the form of witch hazel pads, which can be dabbed on the anus exterior after a bowel movement. These may sting slightly or a lot, depending on degree of irritation, but they then produce a numbing sensation, and they help to clean off any fecal matter that might irritate the skin more. For minor hemorrhoid conditions, witch hazel pads or wipes, which may be sold under numerous brand names, are usually safe to use, though they should not be used as a treatment for interior hemorrhoids.
Other recommendations for hemorrhoid medicine include possibly using hydrocortisone cream or ointment. This may not be advisable if the skin is actually broken or bleeding. People are advised to discuss use of this over the counter product with a doctor, and to avoid exceeding maximum days use. Sometimes it is the best medicine and doctors may actually prefer to prescribe a stronger formulation than the types available over the counter.
Certainly, before self-treating, and especially if people are noticing passage of blood with stool, a doctor’s opinion is warranted. Blood in the stool or surrounding may suggest a variety of conditions and is not always indicative of hemorrhoids. It makes little sense to treat a condition that might not be present, while ignoring more serious conditions. After getting diagnosis, a patient can follow doctor’s advice on best strategies for treatment. These might include using a hemorrhoid medicine over the counter, of if hemorrhoids are severe or have developed blood clots, methods of surgical/ medical removal might be attempted to promote more comfort.
Written by Tricia Ellis-Christensen
