You may be able to treat hemorrhoids at home with soothing wipes and creams. However, severe hemorrhoids may require medical treatment.

Hemorrhoids (sometimes called piles) are swollen veins in your anus and rectum that can cause pain, itching, and rectal bleeding. They can be either internal or external.

Internal hemorrhoids are located in the rectum and usually are not seen or felt. External hemorrhoids are on the outer skin of the anus.

Hemorrhoids are common, occurring in 20% to 50% of people at some point. They typically disappear in a few weeks, but they can cause mild to severe discomfort.

Here are some home remedies and treatments that can help make them less disruptive.

Here are some common home remedies that may help relieve the symptoms of hemorrhoids.

Before you try any of these remedies, always do a patch test on a small section of skin to rule out an allergy.

Another thing you can do is swap out tight, polyester clothes with breathable cotton (especially cotton underwear) to help keep the anal area both clean and dry. Cotton clothing is often recommended for various skin conditions, as it may help with symptoms and the risk of infections in open sores or raw, damaged skin.

Also, avoid using perfumed detergents or fabric softeners to help reduce irritation.

Medical treatments for hemorrhoids may work faster than natural remedies in some cases. These can be divided into those available over the counter (OTC) and those that require a doctor’s prescription.

OTS treatments may include:

  • soothing ointments, creams, wipes, or suppositories like Preparation H
  • hydrocortisone cream, though don’t use it for more than a week at a time unless your doctor recommends otherwise
  • stool softeners to reduce constipation and have quick, painless bowel movements

In some cases, however, additional prescription medications may be needed, such as prescription-strength hydrocortisone.

If you have severe symptoms or complications from untreated hemorrhoids, you may need surgery. Possible procedures include:

Lifestyle and dietary changes are the best way to prevent hemorrhoids long term. Staying physically active and eating a nutritious, balanced diet helps keep your bowel movements regular.

Eat lots of high fiber foods (especially from plants) and drink plenty of water to keep the digestive process moving correctly and prevent constipation. Regular exercise and avoiding sitting for long periods of time can also help prevent hemorrhoids.

The most effective way to avoid constipation is to go to the bathroom when you first feel the urge. Delaying a bowel movement allows the bowel to reabsorb water from the stool, making stool harder when you finally do go.

Hemorrhoids are typically easy to treat and clear up on their own. In very rare cases, a hemorrhoid can cause complications.

Chronic blood loss from a hemorrhoid can cause anemia and a shortage of red blood cells. Internal hemorrhoids can also have their blood supply cut off, resulting in strangulated hemorrhoids that can cause extreme pain.

In addition, other symptoms like stomach pain or fever could indicate a different underlying problem like infection.

See a doctor if home treatments haven’t been effective after more than 2 weeks. Your primary care physician can diagnose and treat hemorrhoids. They can write prescriptions for medicated creams, ointments, and suppositories.

If these treatments don’t work, a doctor may recommend treatments like rubber band ligation or surgery to remove the hemorrhoids.

Make an appointment to see a doctor right away if you notice rectal bleeding for the first time or if your rectal bleeding increases.

What shrinks hemorrhoids the fastest?

Using home remedies as soon as you identify a hemorrhoid can help you treat it before it gets irritated or inflamed.

To relieve symptoms and treat your hemorrhoid before symptoms get worse, try a combination of warm (or sitz) baths, witch hazel, and OTC hemorrhoid cream.

Do hemorrhoids go away on their own?

Hemorrhoids often go away on their own without a prescription, even with minimal home treatment.

How long do hemorrhoids take to heal?

Depending on the size, a typical hemorrhoid goes away in 1 to 2 weeks. Hemorrhoids with blood clots may take a few weeks to go away and can leave a scar because of tissue damage in the area.

Contact a doctor if your hemorrhoid doesn’t heal in a couple of weeks or if your symptoms get worse.

What shouldn’t I do when I have hemorrhoids?

Avoid any treatments that contain the following ingredients:

  • artificial fragrances
  • alcohol
  • chemicals

Hemorrhoids can be uncomfortable or painful, but they often go away on their own in a couple of weeks with home remedies and treatments that are typically easy to find at a drugstore.

See a doctor if your hemorrhoid pain or other symptoms, such as rectal bleeding, become more severe even with treatment. Getting treatment when you notice symptoms worsening can help you avoid complications or a longer period of disruptive symptoms.