Hemorrhoid relief you can start tonight

Ease the pain in the next hour

1. Sit in a few inches of warm water for 10 to 15 minutes. Warmth relaxes the anal sphincter, and that spasm is a big part of the throbbing.
2. Between soaks, hold a cold pack wrapped in a thin towel against the area for up to 10 minutes.
3. Use a numbing hemorrhoid cream on the outside skin, no more often than the label allows.
4. Make the next bowel movement easy: drink water, take fiber, and get off the toilet as soon as you are done.

Calm the itch

1. Rinse with plain water after each bowel movement and pat dry. Soap, perfume and scented wipes keep the skin irritated.
2. Dab on a cooling pad, or protect the skin with a thin layer of barrier ointment.
3. Steroid anti-itch creams work, but guidelines say to stop within two weeks because longer use thins the skin.
4. Wear loose cotton underwear and trim your nails so night-time scratching does less damage.

Deal with bleeding safely

1. Bright red blood on the toilet paper or in the bowl is the most common hemorrhoid symptom. Have a doctor check any new rectal bleeding at least once.
2. Soften your stools with fiber and water, and stop straining. In trials, fiber cut the risk of bleeding by about half.
3. A hemorrhoid suppository can soothe swollen internal hemorrhoids for a while, but it will not fix the cause.

Get medical care today for heavy bleeding, clots, black or tarry stools, dizziness, or bleeding with a change in bowel habits or weight loss.

A sudden, painful lump

1. A tender, bluish lump that appeared suddenly is often a thrombosed hemorrhoid, which is a small blood clot under the skin.
2. If the pain started in the last 3 days, call a doctor. Removing the clot early gives the fastest relief.
3. Otherwise, warm soaks, a numbing cream on the outside and an over-the-counter pain reliever help while the clot slowly settles over a week or two.

When a hemorrhoid slips out

1. Internal hemorrhoids can slide out during a bowel movement. If it goes back on its own or with a gentle push, that is common and not an emergency.
2. Lie down, apply a wrapped cold pack, and with a clean, lubricated finger ease it back in gently.
3. See a doctor the same day if it will not go back, stays swollen, or turns dark and very painful.

Relief during pregnancy and after birth

1. Constipation drives most pregnancy hemorrhoids, so start with fiber, plenty of water and a daily walk.
2. Warm sitz baths, cooling pads and wrapped ice packs are safe first steps.
3. Ask your midwife, obstetrician or pharmacist before using a medicated cream or laxative.