Dear Dr. Fritz: Wants home treatment for Hemorrhoids

Dear Dr. Fritz,

GOOD day to you. Just call me Mikaela. I do have problem with my hemorrhoids. I am looking for treatments which I can do at home. Are there any? I hope you can help. Thanks a lot.

Mikaela of DC

Dear Mikaela of DC,

Yes. There are treatments for hemorrhoids that you can do at home. As a matter of fact, the best treatments are often found at home. Here are some tips for you.

Go for sitz baths.

Soak yourself in a bathtub filled with few inches of warm water for about 15-20 minutes. Do this twice or thrice a day or every after you move your bowels. You can wash the area with unscented soap and don’t scrub it. After you wash, pat it dry gently.

You can also add in that water a pinch of table salt, a teaspoon of vinegar or a pinch of baking soda to create a soothing solution with antiseptic properties.

Rub some relief.

Use over-the-counter wipes or creams with witch hazel. This can soothe the pain and itching with no side effects. Try to avoid products with hydrocortisone unless it’s your doctor’s prescription.

Apply ice.

For the troubled area, put some small cold pack several times in a day. This can out down the pains and the swelling for some time.

Get some painkillers.

Acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen can help with your pains. Go for it.

No scratching.

If you do, you can damage your skin and make the irritation worse.

Go for cotton under wears.

Be sure, they are loose as well. This will keep the area aired out and prevents moisture build up.

Opps, there’s more. But, we’re out of space for now. Until next time.

Dr. Fritz

(Dr. Fritz Legarde Espedilla is an aesthetic dermatologist and surgeon and a clinical sexologist. She is also trained in hypnotherapy and Medical Acupuncture. She has been in the broadcast media for more than a decade and has written a book based on her 15 year stint with her radio program, “Healthy is Sexy Secrets ni Dr. Fritz.”)