Over the Counter Hemroid Medication
Although the most important step in treating hemroids is making sure that any constipation is cleared up by a high fiber diet and exercise, you may be looking for over the counter hemroid medication to help with your hemroid treatment. Such OTC hemroid medication can include pain relievers, stool softeners, bulk forming laxatives, creams and suppositories, as well as special pads for cleaning the hemroid area. There are even natural products available as OTC hemroid medication.
Over the counter hemroid medication creams and suppositories are often a hemroid sufferer’s first choice for treating hemroids. Those with antiseptics and hydrocortisone reduce swelling and relieve discomfort.
Examples of products with antiseptics are Preparation H and Tucks. These kill bacteria and keep the area clean.
Examples of products with hydrocortisone are Anusol HC-1 and Preparation H Anti-itch.
Examples of products that act as laxatives to soften bowel movements and prevent straining are Colace (which is a stool softener containing docusate) and Citrucel, Fibercon or Maltsupex (which are bulk forming laxatives).
Try to avoid any over the counter hemroid creams that contain anesthetics such as benzocaine. Although these may relieve the pain temporarily, they can cause allergic side effects. Other anesthetics without the ingredient benzocaine as well as analgesics are useful for relieving symptoms like burning, itching and pain.
Corticosteroids products should be used carefully and in moderation as they can be harsh on the skin. However, if applied topically in small doses, they can relieve symptoms like itching and inflammation.
Vasoconstrictor products are also useful for relieving pain and itching. They are applied topically and reduce swelling by shrinking the blood vessels.
Aspirin can be taken for pain relief.
The advantage of over the counter hemroid medication is that it can ease discomfort and pain during the time it takes for the body to naturally heal the hemroids. The goal is to relieve discomfort long enough to allow for the natural process of healing. Hemroid creams or suppositories should only be used for a limited time.
There are also alternative over the counter hemroid medications available for hemroid treatment and these include fiber, bioflavonoid, petroleum jelly, aloe vera and witch hazel:
Fiber is a very important supplement used to soften the bowel movements that may have been constipated in the first place and either caused the hemroids, irritated internal hemroids or forced an internal hemroid to prolapse. You can also get plenty of fiber by eating the right diet which should include beans, broccoli, carrots, bran, whole grains, flax seeds, sweet potatoes and fresh fruits. To avoid bloating and gas, these foods can be added gradually over several days. The mount of fiber you should be eating is 25 to 35 grams per day.
Bioflavonoid is derived from natural plant sources and works to reduce the inflammation of the hemroid.
Petroleum jelly can be applied to the anal area for relief.
Aloe Vera is another OTC hemroid medication which can also be used for relief from the discomfort of the hemroids.
Witch hazel is available in the form of distilled liquid, ointment, or a set of medicated pads. It should not be taken orally but applied to the affected area to stop or reduce the symptoms of bleeding hemroids and also to relieve the pain and swelling of hemroids. Witch hazel can be used in a number of different ways: a cool cotton pad soaked in witch hazel applied to the affected area; witch hazel cream used topically; or witch hazel medicated pads to clean the affected area.
Relying on a single over the counter hemroid medication to completely cure hemroids is unrealistic. You need to combine any OTC hemroid medication with a series of lifestyle changes and home care treatments to effect a full hemroid cure.
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