Hemorrhoids are dilation and inflammation of the veins located around the anus and lower rectum. If these conditions have caused protrusion out of the anal canal, it is called external hemorrhoids.
External hemorrhoids have a variety of symptoms that vary, depending on how severe the disease is. Some of the common symptoms that are commonly felt include a lump in the anal area, itching and pain around the anus, and blood in the stool.
Treatment of External Hemorrhoids at Home
The severity of hemorrhoids can get worse. To relieve symptoms and prevent hemorrhoids from developing at a serious level, the following actions can be taken:
- Consume lots of fiber and fluids
Adequate fluids and fiber can make stools softer, reducing pressure on hemorrhoids. If necessary, add fiber supplements to prevent bleeding, inflammation, and enlargement of hemorrhoids from getting worse. It can also reduce irritation caused by fecal debris trapped around blood vessels. If fiber consumption causes flatulence, then consume fiber with increased amounts slowly. Whole grains, broccoli, legumes, and fresh fruit are all foods that are high in fiber.
- Don't delay the urge to defecate
Delaying the urge to defecate by waiting for a comfortable time can be dangerous, especially for people with hemorrhoids. This can make stool collect more and more, thereby increasing the pressure and tension on the hemorrhoids. Therefore, scheduling regular bowel movements can relieve the condition of hemorrhoid sufferers.
- Hot bath
Soaking the buttocks and hips in warm water can help relieve hemorrhoids by reducing itching, irritation, and muscle spasms in the anus. It's easy, just sit in a bathtub filled with warm water up to your waist. Do this for 20 minutes after defecation, 2-3 times a day. Do not forget, gently dry the anal area afterwards.
- Exercise regularly
Doing regular exercise for at least 20-30 minutes every day can also have positive benefits for people with hemorrhoids. Exercising can help stimulate bowel movements, making stools easier to pass. The recommended type of exercise is aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking.
- Applying medicine
For people with external hemorrhoids or external hemorrhoids, applying a pain reliever in the form of a cream can help relieve pain. For the purpose of relieving pain, creams used are usually those containing a local anesthetic. Creams containing hydrocortisone are also effective in relieving pain and inflammation. However, the use of hydrocortisone cream should not be more than 7 days, because it can cause thinning of the skin.
- Sticking to the ice and sitting on a soft place
To relieve pain and swelling in hemorrhoids, applying ice wrapped in a cloth in the anal area can also be done. In addition, sitting on a soft surface, such as on a pillow, can help reduce swelling of hemorrhoids. Sitting in a soft place can also prevent new hemorrhoids from forming.
- Don't push too hard when you're defecating
Excessive tension and pressure can cause bleeding and pain in the hemorrhoids. This is usually caused by straining too hard during a bowel movement. Other conditions that usually make a person strain and increase pressure in the abdominal cavity are lifting objects that are too heavy, coughing, or being pregnant. So that hemorrhoids do not worsen, the things that cause hemorrhoids to stiffen must be reduced or eliminated.
- Stop blood clotting
The excruciating pain caused by external hemorrhoids can be exacerbated when a blood clot forms. These blood clots can be removed by injecting blood clot-busting drugs in hemorrhoids or sclerotherapy, administering topical medications, or by surgery for hemorrhoids.
Visiting a doctor to treat external hemorrhoids is also mandatory if there has been bleeding in the anus. When bleeding from the anus is accompanied by dizziness or fainting, be sure to seek medical attention immediately, to prevent the condition from getting worse.