Key takeaways:
Hemorrhoid creams can help ease hemorrhoid symptoms like itching, burning, pain, and swelling.
There are over-the-counter and prescription hemorrhoid creams available.
Besides hemorrhoid creams, a healthcare professional may recommend fiber intake, sitz baths, or surgery.
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Hemorrhoid cream is a medication you probably hope you’ll never need. But each year, over 1 million adults in the U.S. have inflamed or swollen hemorrhoids. 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 for quick relief.
What does hemorrhoid cream do?
Hemorrhoid cream is a product that you apply on the outside or inside of your anal area. The cream helps ease hemorrhoid symptoms like swelling, pain, and itching.
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There are a few different ingredients that you can find in hemorrhoid creams. These ingredients target different hemorrhoid symptoms. Common hemorrhoid cream 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 hemorrhoid 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 can be found OTC, but some are only available with 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. Let’s take a closer look at common hemorrhoid creams and products.
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 creams with stronger steroids come in many forms. These include suppositories (like Anusol-AC or Proctocort) and creams (like Proctocream HC). Other prescription steroid products may combine hydrocortisone and lidocaine (like Ana-Lex). These products may help with hemorrhoids that aren’t relieved by OTC hydrocortisone treatments.
Exercises for hemorrhoids: Gentle movement like walking or yoga can ease symptoms. Learn which exercises can help hemorrhoids — and which to avoid.
Need quick relief? Our guide covers ways to get rid of hemorrhoids fast, like hydration, sitz baths, fiber, and more.
Why hemorrhoids itch: Learn what causes hemorrhoid itching and how to treat it.
Prescription hemorrhoid creams can also contain stronger pain relievers. Nitroglycerin ointment (Rectiv) and/or nifedipine ointment are sometimes prescribed off-label to treat pain from thrombosed hemorrhoids (hemorrhoids with blot clots).
How to apply hemorrhoid cream
Each hemorrhoid cream comes with instructions for use. You’ll want to follow these instructions to get the best results from your product. Many hemorrhoid creams come with an applicator for easier use.
To apply hemorrhoid cream, follow these steps:
Wash your hands and the affected anal area with a gentle soap and warm water.
Dry the 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.
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It’s most effective to apply hemorrhoid cream just after a bowel movement. This will ensure the medication can stay where it needs to.
What else can you do to treat hemorrhoids?
While hemorrhoid cream can be helpful for treating hemorrhoids, other treatments can also help.
Fiber supplementation
Getting enough fiber has been shown to improve hemorrhoid symptoms. Getting enough fiber can also lower the risk of developing hemorrhoids in the future. Fiber makes your stools easier to pass without straining. You should strongly consider adding fiber-rich foods to your diet, no matter what else you do for hemorrhoids.
If you can’t get enough fiber in your diet, OTC supplements like psyllium (Metamucil) can help you get enough fiber. 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. It’s often recommended 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
Surgery may be the right option if you have severe hemorrhoids. The most common surgical procedure used to treat hemorrhoids is rubber band ligation. During this procedure, the hemorrhoids are tied off with a small rubber band. 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 occurs in the operating room and requires anesthesia.
Frequently asked questions
You should avoid processed foods that are low in fiber if you have a history of hemorrhoids. You should also avoid foods made from white flour, dairy products, processed meat, and spicy foods during a hemorrhoid flare. These foods can make it harder for hemorrhoids to heal. Foods high in fiber like beans, whole-grain cereals, green vegetables, and fruits can help heal hemorrhoids and prevent flares.
Some OTC hemorrhoid creams are safe to use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. 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.
It depends on what type of cream you use. Numbing creams can provide instant pain and itching relief. But symptoms will come back as the medication wears off. Steroids provide a more long-lasting relief, but it takes at least 3 to 4 days of use before you start to notice the effects. That’s why many hemorrhoid creams use a combination of medications. The combination allows for quick and longer-term relief from hemorrhoid symptoms.
You should avoid processed foods that are low in fiber if you have a history of hemorrhoids. You should also avoid foods made from white flour, dairy products, processed meat, and spicy foods during a hemorrhoid flare. These foods can make it harder for hemorrhoids to heal. Foods high in fiber like beans, whole-grain cereals, green vegetables, and fruits can help heal hemorrhoids and prevent flares.
Some OTC hemorrhoid creams are safe to use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. 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.
It depends on what type of cream you use. Numbing creams can provide instant pain and itching relief. But symptoms will come back as the medication wears off. Steroids provide a more long-lasting relief, but it takes at least 3 to 4 days of use before you start to notice the effects. That’s why many hemorrhoid creams use a combination of medications. The combination allows for quick and longer-term relief from hemorrhoid symptoms.
The bottom line
Topical hemorrhoid products can treat hemorrhoid symptoms, such as burning, itching, and pain. OTC products for the treatment of hemorrhoids often include more than one ingredient. This may include steroids and local anesthetics.
Prescription hemorrhoid treatments include stronger medications if OTC options don’t work. Surgery may be recommended if your hemorrhoids are more severe. Your healthcare team can help you select a hemorrhoid product that can help target your most bothersome symptoms.
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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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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.
Tejirian, T., et al. (2005). Sitz bath: Where is the evidence? Scientific basis of a common practice. Diseases of the Colon & Rectum.
