Hemorrhoid Self-Care: 7 Simple Tips for Pain Relief

Hemorrhoid Self-Care refers to the practical steps you can take at home to ease discomfort and support recovery alongside the treatment prescribed by your doctor. While medical care is important, many small daily habits can make a big difference in how quickly you heal and how well you manage the pain.

Some of these self-care measures include eating a fiber-rich diet to prevent constipation, drinking enough water to keep your stools soft, replacing rough toilet paper with gentler cleaning methods, and soaking in warm sitz baths to soothe irritation.

These lifestyle changes don’t just relieve symptoms temporarily—they also help prevent flare-ups from happening again.

In most cases, hemorrhoid treatment also involves medications. Doctors often recommend topical creams or ointments applied directly to the swollen area to reduce pain, itching, and inflammation.

Depending on your symptoms, you may also be advised to take oral pain relievers or anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. It’s always important to use these medications exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider.

In more severe cases—such as hemorrhoids that bleed continuously or cause significant difficulty during bowel movements—your doctor might recommend a surgical procedure. That’s why Hemorrhoid Self-Care should always go hand in hand with professional guidance.

Understanding whether you’re dealing with internal or external hemorrhoids, and what triggers them, can help you take the right steps to manage the condition more effectively.

Self-Care Tips for Managing Hemorrhoids

If you’re dealing with hemorrhoids, the good news is that there are several simple steps you can take at home to ease the pain and prevent them from getting worse. These Hemorrhoid Self-Care strategies focus on diet, hydration, and healthy bathroom habits, all of which play a big role in recovery.

1. Add More Fiber to Your Diet

One of the easiest and most effective ways to care for hemorrhoids at home is by eating more fiber-rich foods. Fiber works like a natural stool softener, making bowel movements smoother and less painful. This helps reduce the strain that often makes hemorrhoids worse.

Good sources of fiber include whole grains like brown rice and oatmeal, seeds such as flaxseeds, and fiber-packed foods like beans, lentils, fresh fruits, and vegetables. By making these a regular part of your meals, you not only support your digestive health but also create a diet that helps prevent constipation—a major trigger for hemorrhoids.

Incorporating fiber is one of the most recommended Hemorrhoid Self-Care methods because it tackles the problem at the root. Softer stools mean less pressure on the veins around your rectum, leading to faster healing and fewer flare-ups.

2. Stay Hydrated — Drink Enough Water Every Day

Alongside fiber, water is your best friend when it comes to hemorrhoid relief. Drinking about 1.5 to 2 liters of water daily (around 8 cups) keeps your digestive system moving smoothly. Water helps soften your stool, making it easier to pass without excessive straining.

Think of hydration as the partner of fiber in Hemorrhoid Self-Care. While fiber adds bulk to your stool, water makes sure it doesn’t dry out and become hard. Together, they keep your bowel movements regular and gentle on your system.

If you often forget to drink water, try carrying a reusable bottle with you throughout the day or setting reminders on your phone. Herbal teas and water-rich fruits like cucumbers, melons, and oranges can also boost your fluid intake while giving you extra health benefits.

3. Go to the Toilet Right Away When You Feel the Urge

One of the most overlooked Hemorrhoid Self-Care habits is listening to your body. When you feel the urge to have a bowel movement, it’s important to go to the toilet immediately instead of holding it in. Waiting too long can cause your stool to become dry and hard, which makes it more difficult and painful to pass.

Passing stool while it’s still soft puts less strain on your rectal area and reduces the pressure on swollen veins. This simple step can make a big difference in relieving discomfort and preventing your hemorrhoids from getting worse. So, if nature calls, don’t delay — it’s a small but powerful self-care strategy.

4. Skip Dry Toilet Paper — Choose Gentler Options

While toilet paper is the most common way people clean themselves, it’s not always the best choice if you have hemorrhoids. Dry toilet paper can be rough and irritating, which may cause even more pain and inflammation in an already sensitive area.

Instead, a smarter Hemorrhoid Self-Care approach is to clean gently with water or use moist, fragrance-free wipes. A quick rinse with warm water can leave you feeling fresher and more comfortable without the added irritation. If you want to go the extra mile, consider using a handheld bidet or a soft cloth with water for cleaning — both options are gentle and effective.

5. Stay Active with Regular Exercise

Another powerful Hemorrhoid Self-Care strategy is to keep your body moving. Regular physical activity, even something as simple as daily walks, can make a big difference in how your digestive system works. Exercise helps stimulate bowel movements and keeps things flowing smoothly, which prevents constipation — one of the main triggers of hemorrhoid pain.

Low-impact activities like walking, swimming, yoga, or cycling are especially helpful because they improve circulation without putting too much pressure on the lower rectal area. The more consistent you are with exercise, the easier it becomes to pass stool without strain, which reduces pain and irritation. Aim for at least 20–30 minutes of movement most days of the week as part of your self-care routine.

6. Use Hemorrhoid Creams for Relief

For many people, applying a cream is an essential part of Hemorrhoid Self-Care. Hemorrhoid creams often contain ingredients that reduce swelling, soothe itching, and ease pain. Some also work by tightening blood vessels (vasoconstriction), which helps to relieve inflammation more quickly.

These creams should always be recommended by your doctor and used exactly as directed. Typically, they are applied directly to the affected area two to three times daily with gentle massage until symptoms improve. While creams don’t cure hemorrhoids, they can provide fast and effective relief, making your recovery process much more comfortable.

7. Try a Sitz Bath for Comfort

One of the most soothing Hemorrhoid Self-Care methods is taking a sitz bath. This simple, natural remedy uses only warm water to calm irritation and reduce pain. By sitting in warm water three to four times a day, you can relax the muscles around the anus, improve circulation, and ease the discomfort caused by hemorrhoids.

To do a sitz bath at home, fill a large bowl or just the bottom of your bathtub with comfortably warm water (not too hot), then sit in it for about 15–20 minutes or until the water cools.

For added relief, you can include natural ingredients with calming or anti-inflammatory effects, such as chamomile, witch hazel (hamamelis), or burdock. These herbs can help speed up healing and make the bath even more effective.

Signs of Improvement to Look Out For

When you practice Hemorrhoid Self-Care consistently, you’ll start noticing encouraging signs that things are getting better. Pain and irritation usually lessen first, especially when sitting or during bowel movements. If there was bleeding, either in the stool or when wiping, that should gradually stop. Over time, the swollen lumps around the anus will shrink and may eventually disappear altogether.

Noticing these improvements is a good indication that your self-care routine is working and that your body is healing naturally. However, if symptoms persist, worsen, or interfere with daily life, it’s always best to seek medical advice for stronger treatment options.

Signs of Worsening to Watch Out For

While Hemorrhoid Self-Care can bring relief and healing, it’s also important to know when things may be getting worse instead of better. If you notice that your pain or discomfort keeps increasing—especially when sitting down or during bowel movements—this could mean your hemorrhoids are not improving. Another red flag is if the lumps around your anus grow larger or become more swollen than before.

Bleeding is also a key sign to monitor. If you see more blood in your stool or on the tissue after wiping, this suggests the hemorrhoids are getting worse and may need medical attention.

In such cases, self-care alone may not be enough, and it’s important to reach out to a doctor for further treatment to prevent complications.

SEE MORE