The Top 5 Ways to Get Rid of Your Hemorrhoids Fast

Hemorrhoids are inflamed blood vessels inside or around the anus and rectum. They can cause uncomfortable symptoms like bleeding, itching, discomfort, and pain. 

If you have hemorrhoids, you probably want relief fast. Many times, hemorrhoids will go away on their own. But there are ways to speed up healing and help relieve your symptoms.

What causes hemorrhoids?

The area around your anus and rectum is packed with blood vessels. And these blood vessels can become swollen and inflamed from time to time. When that happens, hemorrhoids (also called piles) can develop. 

There are two types of hemorrhoids:

• External hemorrhoids develop on the outside of the anus. You can feel them with your finger, and a medical professional can diagnose them just by looking at the area. 

• Internal hemorrhoids are on the inside of the rectum, so you usually can’t feel them. Sometimes, they may bulge out of the anus, but they can usually be pushed back inside with a finger. A medical professional diagnoses internal hemorrhoids using tools like an anoscope, proctoscope, or colonoscope.

Anyone can develop hemorrhoids. But you’re more likely to get them if:

• You have constipation or strain during bowel movements

• You’re pregnant

• You have chronic diarrhea

• You spend a lot of time sitting

How to get rid of hemorrhoids fast

If you already know you have hemorrhoids, you can try home remedies to ease your hemorrhoids before seeking medical care. Many hemorrhoids get better on their own within a week. Here are five ways to help them heal faster.

1. Drink more water

Constipation or hard stool is the most common cause of hemorrhoids. Low water intake can lead to constipation and make it worse. Try drinking more water each day. This will help soften your stools and make them easier to pass. Relieving constipation can help your hemorrhoids heal faster and keep them from coming back.

Plain water is the best way to stay hydrated in most circumstances. But any drink can help keep you hydrated. And if you having been sweating a lot from heat or exercise, a drink with some electrolytes may be a good choice.

2. Eat more fiber

Most people can benefit from more fiber. The daily recommended amounts are 25 g of fiber for women and 38 g of fiber for men. But the average person in the US eats much less than that. Increasing how much fiber you have will help you avoid constipation and improve hemorrhoids symptoms.

Many foods have fiber, such as different types of fruits and vegetables. There’s also fiber in nuts, beans, and whole grains.

3. Change your toilet habits

Whether you’re reading, using your phone, or just having a quiet moment, it’s easy to lose track of time on the toilet. But sitting for too long or straining on the toilet can make hemorrhoids symptoms worse. So, you want to minimize your time on the toilet.

A good rule of thumb is to remove all reading material from your toilet area. And avoid bringing your phone or tablet with you. Instead, focus on doing your business and get off the toilet quickly — without distractions.

4. Take sitz baths

A sitz bath is a simple way to reduce hemorrhoids and ease uncomfortable symptoms. To take a sitz bath, soak your bottom in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes. You can do this in a bathtub or small plastic tub, which you can buy at the pharmacy. 

You can take a sitz bath several times a day or as needed for relief. Warm water alone can help, or you can use additives like Epsom salt.

5. Over-the-counter hemorrhoid medications

There are over-the-counter (OTC) medications that work fast to relieve hemorrhoid symptoms. But keep in mind that even though they help, these medications won’t cure your hemorrhoids. Some options include:

• Benzocaine (Americaine ointment) to numb pain

• Witch hazel (Tucks Medicated Cooling Pads) to reduce swelling and pain

• Witch hazel and phenylephrine combination (Preparation H Cooling Gel) to decrease irritation, and relieve itch, burning, and pain

• Mineral oil, petrolatum, and phenylephrine combination (Preparation H) to decrease irritation, shrink swelling, and ease pain

• Hydrocortisone (Preparation H Soothing Relief Anti-itch cream) to reduce inflammation and swelling

What hemorrhoid medication works the fastest?

OTC hemorrhoid medications can relieve your symptoms quickly. Here’s how quickly OTC products can work:

• Benzocaine can relieve pain in as little as one minute.

• Witch hazel can relieve itching and burning within a few minutes.

• Phenylephrine will shrink hemorrhoids within 30 minutes.

• Zinc oxide works right away to protect the skin over and around hemorrhoids.

• Steroids will take several hours to relieve swelling and inflammation.

You may need to use more than one hemorrhoid medication to shrink swelling and ease burning, itch, and pain symptoms. 

What can a healthcare professional do for hemorrhoid treatment?

It’s important to seek medical care if your hemorrhoids aren’t better within 1 week —or if they get worse despite home remedies and OTC medications. You may need prescription treatments or medical procedures for your hemorrhoids. 

You should also seek medical care if you have new rectal bleeding or blood in your stool. Hemorrhoids can cause these symptoms, but so can other medical conditions, like colon cancer. 

How long does it take for hemorrhoids to go away?

How long it takes for hemorrhoids to go away depends on their severity. Minor hemorrhoids may go away on their own in just a few days. More severe hemorrhoids may take months to improve.

Complicated hemorrhoids may not go away, even if you follow all the recommendations and use home remedies or prescriptions. If they don’t heal and continue to cause problems, you may need surgical hemorrhoid removal.

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Written by:

Valerie Emuakhagbon, MD

Valerie Emuakhagbon, MD, is a board-certified colorectal surgeon. A native of Dallas, Texas, she completed the six-year BA/MD program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Edited by:

Katie E. Golden, MD

Katie E. Golden, MD, is a board-certified emergency medicine physician and a medical editor at GoodRx.

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