Key takeaways:
Hemorrhoid creams can help ease common symptoms of hemorrhoids like itching, burning, pain, and swelling.
There are over-the-counter and prescription hemorrhoid creams available. The best option for you depends on your specific symptoms.
Eating more fiber and taking sitz baths may also help relieve hemorrhoid symptoms. Hemorrhoids that are severe of don't improve may require surgery.
Hemorrhoid cream is a medication you probably hope you’ll never need. But hemorrhoids are common, and they can cause uncomfortable symptoms such as itching, swelling, and pain. Thankfully, there are many treatments that can help, including medicated hemorrhoid creams.
Let’s take a closer look at hemorrhoid creams and products — and how you can choose the best option to speed up healing and help relieve your symptoms.
What does hemorrhoid cream do?
Hemorrhoid creams are applied around the anal area. Some products can also be used inside the rectum, but only if the product or your healthcare team recommends it. Hemorrhoid creams helps ease hemorrhoid symptoms like swelling, pain, and itching.
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Hemorrhoid creams can contain a few different ingredients, which target different symptoms. Common ingredients include:
Steroids: Hemorrhoid creams with steroids like hydrocortisone (Anusol-HC) reduce inflammation, redness, and itching.
Protectants: Some ingredients — like mineral oil and petrolatum — can protect the skin and irritated areas. These ointments prevent dryness and can soothe the affected area.
Decongestants: Rectal phenylephrine can shrink blood vessels, which can relieve burning and swelling caused by hemorrhoids.
Local anesthetics: Numbing creams have local anesthetics to relieve pain and soreness. These are only for external use and shouldn’t be used inside the rectum.
Astringents: These products protect irritated areas and can relieve discomfort and burning. Witch hazel is a popular astringent used in hemorrhoid products.
There are over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription hemorrhoid creams available. Most include two or more ingredients that help relieve hemorrhoid symptoms. Your healthcare team can help you select the product that includes the best combination of ingredients to fit your needs.
Best types of hemorrhoid creams and products
There are a few types of medicated creams or ointments available to help with hemorrhoids. Many of these are available OTC, but some require a prescription. There’s one major difference between prescription and OTC hemorrhoid creams: Prescription hemorrhoid creams are stronger. This means they have a higher concentration of active ingredients.
OTC hemorrhoid creams and products
OTC hemorrhoid products are widely available and affordable. They can help treat symptoms of mild hemorrhoids. There are many different branded and generic products available for hemorrhoid treatment. The table below lists some common OTC hemorrhoid products and their active ingredients.
Active ingredients | Examples of OTC products |
Benzocaine | |
Witch hazel | |
Witch hazel, phenylephrine | |
Mineral oil, petrolatum, phenylephrine | |
Hydrocortisone |
Prescription hemorrhoid cream
Prescription hemorrhoid products with stronger steroids come in many forms. These include suppositories (like Anusol-HC or Proctocort) and creams (like Proctocream HC). Others may combine hydrocortisone and lidocaine (like Ana-Lex). These products may help with hemorrhoids that aren’t relieved by OTC hydrocortisone treatments.
Prescription hemorrhoid creams can also contain stronger pain relievers. Nitroglycerin ointment (Rectiv) and nifedipine ointment are sometimes prescribed off-label to relieve pain from thrombosed hemorrhoids (hemorrhoids with blood clots).
How to apply hemorrhoid cream
Each hemorrhoid cream comes with instructions for how to apply it. Make sure to follow your specific product instructions to get the best results.
Here are some general steps for how to apply hemorrhoid cream:
Wash your hands and the affected anal area with a gentle soap and warm water.
Dry your anal area gently by patting or blotting with toilet tissue or a soft cloth.
Apply a thin layer of cream to the affected area.
If treating internal hemorrhoids (inside the anus), you’ll likely need to use an applicator.
To use the applicator, first lubricate the applicator tip by spreading the cream around it.
Gently insert the applicator into the anus and apply the cream directly to the hemorrhoids.
Applying hemorrhoid cream after a bowel movement can help it stay in place longer.
What else can you do to treat hemorrhoids?
While hemorrhoid cream can be helpful for treating hemorrhoids, other treatments can also help.
Fiber
Getting enough fiber has been shown to lessen hemorrhoid symptoms and can also lower the risk of developing hemorrhoids in the future. Eating plenty of fiber-rich foods is an important part of treating and preventing hemorrhoids because it makes your stools easier to pass. Plus, fiber benefits your overall health.
If you're struggling to get enough fiber in your diet, OTC supplements like psyllium (Metamucil) can give you a boost. The recommended daily intake of fiber is about 25 g for women and 38 g for men.
Sitz baths
A sitz bath is a warm, shallow bath taken up to 3 times a day for about 20 minutes at a time. Healthcare professionals often recommended it to help soothe pain from hemorrhoids. It’s not clear how well the home remedy works, but it’s a safe and inexpensive option.
Surgery
If at-home treatments don't help and you have severe hemorrhoids, a healthcare professional may recommend surgery. Rubber band ligation is a common surgical procedure for hemorrhoids. During this procedure, a healthcare professional puts a s rubber band around the hemorrhoid to cut off its blood supply. This procedure can usually be performed in a medical office.
Another surgical option is a hemorrhoidectomy. During this procedure, one or more of your hemorrhoids will be cut out. This surgery takes place in an operating room and requires anesthesia.
Frequently asked questions
If you're experiencing a hemorrhoid flare, try to avoid white flour, dairy products, processed meat, and spicy foods. These low-fiber foods can make it harder for hemorrhoids to heal. Instead, choose foods high in fiber like beans, whole-grain cereals, green vegetables, and fruits.
Some OTC hemorrhoid creams are safe to use if you are pregnant or nursing. But it’s best to check with your healthcare team before you start using a hemorrhoid product. They can make sure your product is safe to use during pregnancy.
How quickly hemorrhoid cream works depends on its active ingredients. Numbing medications, such as lidocaine, can provide quick but short-lived relief. Steroids provide more long-lasting relief, but it takes a few days to reduce itching and inflammation. That’s why many hemorrhoid creams use a combination of medications.
If you're experiencing a hemorrhoid flare, try to avoid white flour, dairy products, processed meat, and spicy foods. These low-fiber foods can make it harder for hemorrhoids to heal. Instead, choose foods high in fiber like beans, whole-grain cereals, green vegetables, and fruits.
Some OTC hemorrhoid creams are safe to use if you are pregnant or nursing. But it’s best to check with your healthcare team before you start using a hemorrhoid product. They can make sure your product is safe to use during pregnancy.
How quickly hemorrhoid cream works depends on its active ingredients. Numbing medications, such as lidocaine, can provide quick but short-lived relief. Steroids provide more long-lasting relief, but it takes a few days to reduce itching and inflammation. That’s why many hemorrhoid creams use a combination of medications.
The bottom line
Hemorrhoid creams and other topical products can provide relief from symptoms such as burning, itching, and pain. Because ingredients and directions vary, choose a product that targets your symptoms and use it only as directed. A healthcare professional can help you find the best hemorrhoid product for your symptoms.
Why trust our experts?
References
Albuquerque, A. (2016). Rubber band ligation of hemorrhoids: A guide for complications. World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery.
Alonso-Coello, P., et al. (2006). Fiber for the treatment of hemorrhoids complications: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The American Journal of Gastroenterology.
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Dolgencorp. (2025). DG health hemorrhoidal- mineral oil, petrolatum, phenylephrine hcl ointment [package insert].
Haleon US Holdings. (2024). Preparation H cooling gel- phenylephrine hcl, witch hazel gel [package insert].
Haleon US Holdings. (2024). Preparation H- mineral oil, petrolatum, phenylephrine hcl ointment [package insert].
Haleon US Holdings. (2025). Preparation H soothing relief anti-itch- hydrocortisone cream [package insert].
Insight Pharmaceuticals. (2024). Americaine- benzocaine ointment [package insert].
Katsinelos, P., et al. (2006). Aggressive treatment of acute anal fissure with 0.5% nifedipine ointment prevents its evolution to chronicity. World Journal of Gastroenterology.
National Health Service. (2023). Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility while using hydrocortisone for piles and itchy bottom.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2017). Treatment of hemorrhoids. National Institutes of Health.
Richards, E., et al. (2023). Phenylephrine. StatPearls.
Schubert, M. C., et al. (2009). What every gastroenterologist needs to know about common anorectal disorders. World Journal of Gastroenterology.
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