There are many methods you can use to provide yourself relief when made uncomfortable by bleeding hemorrhoids. You’ve probably seen the advertisements on television of people moving around in their seats and missing out on key life experiences. While it’s unlikely the problem is cutting into your rock climbing time (then again, who knows?), going to work and sitting or standing for an extended period of time can get irritating. If a warm bath or cold compress isn’t doing the trick, it might be time to visit your local drugstore.
Suppositories like that of Preparation H are made specifically for a bleeding hemorrhoid problem. Because the area is inflamed with a swollen blood vessel, sometimes more, it can be a little painful or difficult to have bowel movements. Using products like these can offer relief for itching and irritation. What’s more, they can help act as lubricants so you can have an easier time using the bathroom.
Try looking in your medicine cabinet. Most people find that they have petroleum jelly for one reason or another. Petroleum jelly or zinc oxide can both help soothe itchy areas and irritated skin. If you have neither, you can go check out the store for ointments such as these or others meant to alleviate your symptoms. By helping to contain symptoms, you won’t feel the urge to move around in a chair or otherwise further aggravate the area. Instead, the ointment protects the area like a barrier against external nuisances.
You can also look for ointments that include 1% hydrocortisone cream. You may have seen similar products that advertise themselves as anti-itch creams. Hydrocortisone helps alleviate itchy areas as well as reduce inflammation, but pay close attention to which products you are thinking of buying. Some are meant for external use only, so read all the information on the label to ensure you buy the correct product. Some products may contain as much as 2.5% hydrocortisone, but if you find yourself using it for longer than a few weeks, it’s time to seek out medical advice.
Some products are meant to numb certain areas and often have the suffix of “–caine” either within the product name or within the list of ingredients. They act similar to local anesthetics but are much less common as some people may grow allergic to them.
Whatever medication you decide to use, always follow the directions and avoid abusing the substance in any way. If you encounter any adverse affects, stop using the medication immediately. If you have used the product for more than two weeks and are not seeing any improvement, you should contact your doctor and start seeking out alternative methods for treating your bleeding hemorrhoids.