How Do I Clean Myself When I Have Hemorrhoids?

How do I clean myself when I have hemorrhoids?

1. Clean the hemorrhoid area gently with soap and wipes
2. Use the right over-the-counter products for hemorrhoids
3. Maintain the dryness of the hemorrhoid area
4. Do sitz baths or regular baths to clean hemorrhoids

Overview

• Hygiene practices are needed to manage discomfort and promote the healing of hemorrhoids.
• Clean gently with unscented soaps and soft toilet paper to avoid irritation.
• Consider over-the-counter products like witch hazel and hydrocortisone cream to relieve symptoms.
• Maintain dryness of the affected area by using breathable underwear and clothing.
• Incorporate regular baths or sitz baths to enhance cleanliness and comfort.

Introduction

Hemorrhoids can be a discomforting and sometimes painful experience, especially when there’s blood in the stool. Stemming from swollen veins in the anus or lower rectum, this condition can be treated at home and through lifestyle changes¹. Whether you are managing occasional flare-ups or coping with chronic symptoms, maintaining proper hygiene is essential for managing the condition.

In this article, we’ll discuss the answers to this pressing question: How do I clean myself when I have hemorrhoids? From gentle cleaning to sitz baths, read on to learn the best hygiene practices to promote faster healing.

Clean Gently the Hemorrhoid Area with Soap and Wipes

Keeping yourself clean around your hemorrhoid area needs careful procedures. It is not just about the manner of your wiping or the pressure you put into it. It is also about using the right soap and toilet paper.

Although the anus can clean itself², it is still essential to clean it with water and fragrance-free soap³. Scented soaps usually contain chemicals that can cause allergic reactions.⁴ They can irritate the delicate skin around the area, causing it to dry and crack. That’s why it’s not advisable for women to use scented soaps in their feminine areas since these regions are close to each other⁵.

Furthermore, use soft and moist toilet paper to avoid irritation of your hemorrhoids⁶.

Use the Right Over-the-Counter Products for Hemorrhoids

Over-the-counter products can ease hemorrhoids. For swollen veins in your rectum area, Diosmin + Hesperidin (Daflon® 1000) is a proven effective treatment for hemorrhoids. It is a venoactive medicine developed to focus on dilated and inflamed veins. Adding this to your management routine for this condition can help you heal faster.

Other OTC products like witch hazel and hydrocortisone can aid the symptoms⁷. It is a plant where its leaves, bark, and twigs are used to make medicine¹⁰. It is rich in chemicals called tannins. It reduces skin swelling, repairs broken skin, and fights bacteria.

It is also a versatile treatment for itching, inflammation, insect bites, bruises, and more.⁸ When you have hemorrhoids, it is an all-natural home remedy for your condition. It can easily constrict blood vessels and temporarily relieve itchiness and irritation⁹.

Hydrocortisone, on the other hand, is a rectal cream from a steroid called corticosteroid¹¹. It is developed to calm your immune response and reduce pain, itchiness, and inflammation. When you apply it to the affected area, you do not need to cover it with a bandage or dressing unless medically advised¹².

Maintain the Dryness of the Hemorrhoid Area

The presence of moisture can worsen your condition¹³. It does not only come in after showering or washing up, but it can also be from perspiration¹⁴. Simply patting it down gently with a soft and clean tissue can do the trick.

To combat this, you should wear loose and breathable clothing to promote airflow in the hemorrhoid area¹⁵. Cotton is one of the most popular fabrics in the market. It can keep your body cool and dry. By letting moisture evaporate through the fabric, it allows the skin to breathe¹⁶.

Do Sitz Baths or Regular Baths to Clean Hemorrhoids

Regular bathing should be done with gentleness. Use a peri bottle to enhance cleanliness in your anal area. This tool is short for a perineal irrigation bottle¹⁷. It is used by mothers during their postpartum perineal care. Using it for your hemorrhoids is as simple as filling it with warm water and applying it to the area¹⁸.

For those who do not need the full body wash routine, sitz baths can be administered. You can do this practice in two ways: with a sitz bath bowl or in the tub¹⁹. In both cases, warm water is poured in high enough to reach your bottom when you sit down and soak your hemorrhoids for 10-15 minutes²⁰. You may add salt or medicine, depending on the prescription of your doctor.

Key Takeaway

This article answered the question: how do I clean myself when I have hemorrhoids? Maintaining proper hygiene is essential when dealing with this condition. Adapting to these strategies helps individuals minimize their discomfort and reduce the risk of more complications. Hemorrhoids are a no-joke issue since they can lead to worse conditions. While cleaning is important, seeking medical help is also necessary to make sure you are on the right track to healing.

One of the ways to alleviate the hemorrhoid symptoms is by taking Diosmin + Hesperidin (Daflon® 1000). Extracted from naturally rich immature oranges, it is developed to alleviate the symptoms of hemorrhoids and improve your overall comfort.