Dealing with hemorrhoids

Man, why do you keep harping on about using some razor? 🙂

In an area that’s already inflamed and basically a breeding ground for bacteria—perfect for every kind of infection imaginable—you really think I should be out there slicing at myself?

My dad deals with this annoying condition too. After what feels like twenty years, he finally got surgery done at the Mayo Clinic. He still has to be careful and get regular checkups, though, because it pops up again every now and then, just much less intense than before.

All my life, old folks have been nagging me: eat more fruit, eat more soup, don't sit on cold surfaces, carry a cushion when you're driving, watch the spicy and salty stuff.

Would you guys even listen to them if they told you that? We'd be such wimps if we actually followed all those rules, right?

Anyway, yesterday it started itching a little. My first thought was, "Ah, I probably just caught a chill," and I didn't think much of it. But last night, out of nowhere, I felt this discomfort and a dull ache. I checked, and yeah, there's definitely something there. There's this lump near the opening, maybe about a third of the way around. It's thick, about the size of two or three peas. It hurts like hell, honestly... it's so distracting. It hasn't bled yet, which I hope stays that way, though sometimes it feels like bleeding might actually relieve the pressure and the pain.

Why did this happen? Probably because a few days ago I went a bit overboard with the hard liquor. I'm hitting five espressos a day, barely touch any soup, and I'm obsessed with homemade relish, ketchup, mustard, and all that junk. Plus, I've been sitting on cold spots lately; I remember clearly sitting on a concrete floor a few days back while messing with some electrical wiring. And for the last few days, I've been hanging out at home, spending hours on a ladder. That's probably a great setup for something like this to flare up.

The only thing bothering me is, how fast can this crap go away?

Matthew Morris28 said:Seriously, why on earth would you keep messing around with a razor?🙂

In an area that's basically a bacterial breeding ground, practically begging for every kind of infection imaginable... you really think DIY surgery is a good idea?

My old man deals with this whole mess too. After about twenty years of dealing with it, he finally had a surgical procedure done at Mayo Clinic. Even now, he has to be careful and get regular checkups because things tend to flare up again from time to time, just on a much smaller scale...

All my life, I've heard the elderly lecturing me: "Eat more fruit," "Drink more soup," "Don't sit on cold surfaces," "Use a cushion when driving," "Watch the salt and spice."

As if anyone actually listens to them. What kind of weakling would we be if we followed all those rules?

And then yesterday, the itching starts. I just figured, fine, maybe I caught a little chill, and didn't think twice about it. But last night, out of nowhere, there's this discomfort and this dull, nagging ache. I checked, and well... there's definitely something to feel. There’s a lump right near the opening. Thickened, about the size of two or three peas. It hurts like hell... it's incredibly irritating. No bleeding yet—hopefully not—though honestly, maybe some bleeding would actually relieve the pressure and the pain...

Why did this happen? Because two or three days ago, I went a bit overboard with the hard liquor. I drink five espressos a day, barely touch soup, and I have a massive weakness for spicy condiments, ketchup, mustard, and all that junk. Plus, lately, I've been sitting on cold surfaces... I specifically remember sitting on a concrete floor a few days ago while working on some electrical wiring. And the last few days, I've spent hours perched on a ladder. Apparently, that's the perfect recipe for this...

The only thing on my mind is how quickly this misery is going to go away...

Try rinsing with COLD water—and I mean ice cold—plus some Dopamine, and there's a pretty good chance you'll be rid of them soon...

And you absolutely need to change your towel frequently...

Apply the Dopamine after every bathroom trip, and definitely before bed...

Man, things can get so awkward sometimes. I’m basically useless at work right now because it’s easy enough when I’m just chilling in my office chair in front of the computer. But like, a few minutes ago I was out in the field and I couldn't even bring myself to plug in an Ethernet cable for some older ladies. Well, I *could* have, but the cable is probably busted somewhere and honestly, I just don't have the energy to squat down on the ground and try again. Might just call it a day and head home for a couple days if it makes sense.

Vicky said:They can be seriously awkward. I’m basically useless at work right now because being tucked away in my office chair is fine. But a few minutes ago, I was out in the field and couldn't even manage to plug in an Ethernet cable for some ladies because I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Well, I could have, but the cable is probably damaged somewhere and I simply don't have the energy to bend down to the ground and try again. If it's worth it, I might just head home for a day or two...

I'm not sure if a couple of days will do the trick, but in 4 or 5 days things should settle down...

My advice? Rest. Avoid sitting too much and stop putting pressure on those hemorrhoids... maybe stick to some light walking...

If you can stay home, try rinsing the area with cold water every hour or so... then, after that, apply a VERY TINY AMOUNT of Preparation H... and I mean very little... just enough so they aren't left "dry"... the cold water is key because it constricts the blood vessels, which reduces blood flow to the inflamed areas and lets the inflammation start to subside...

It's actually a classic example of how using a cold compress works for any kind of inflammation or swelling...

And definitely steer clear of anything that spikes your circulation... bending over, squatting, kneeling, lifting heavy stuff... all of that creates intense vascular pressure that feeds the hemorrhoids and makes them flare up...

Also, try to eat things that keep your stools soft so you aren't straining on the toilet... because dealing with that when things are already inflamed can be incredibly painful...

So, I happened to notice a little lump near my anal area today. It isn't painful, it doesn't itch, and there's no burning sensation at all—I can even press on it without feeling anything. It’s just this bluish little thing, smaller than a pea. Honestly, I'm a bit worried about it turning into something serious, but I’m also really dreading the idea of having to go see a doctor right away.

Is that Dolocaine cream meant specifically for when things are already inflamed and hurting, or can I use it right now just to try and get this thing to shrink back down?

divlji_Muzafer said:It’s really not that big of a deal... Most people just don't talk about it.

You're right. So many people struggle with this stuff but they just keep quiet about it.

The reality is that about 70% of Americans deal with digestive issues—things like constipation, diarrhea, or hemorrhoids. Sadly, a lot of people just accept it as part of their daily routine because they can't find a real fix. They start thinking it's just "normal" to feel that way. 😢

I went through something similar myself, but I got it sorted out. I also know plenty of people who fixed their issues pretty easily just by changing what they eat. 🙂
😎

Douglas Miller9 said:You hit the nail on the head. So many people deal with this stuff but they just don't talk about it.

To be more precise, about 70% of Americans struggle with digestive issues—things like constipation, diarrhea, or hemorrhoids. Unfortunately, for a lot of people, this becomes their "new normal." They just get used to living with the discomfort because they haven't found a real solution yet. 😢

I went through something similar myself and got it sorted out. I also know plenty of people who fixed these exact issues quite simply... just by changing what they eat. 🙂
😎

Is there even any room for doubt? If you haven't dealt with it personally, surely you know someone who cured themselves for good thanks to your advice? Right? 🙄

First off, let’s get one thing straight: not every bump is a hemorrhoid. If there’s no pain, itching, burning, or bleeding, it could just be a regular pimple. If it does hurt, it could still be a pimple—those don't exactly disappear overnight either. However, if you see blood, that’s usually a hemorrhoid... or something more serious. Keep in mind that if the blood is bright red, it’s likely local; if it’s dark or looks almost black, you’re looking at an issue higher up in the GI tract, like a perforated ulcer in the stomach. All the advice mentioned above is solid, so stick to it. If you actually do have hemorrhoids, a little tip: when you're on the toilet, don't strain like you're trying to lift a heavy weight at the gym. Just let things happen naturally. And instead of spreading everything wide, try squeezing your glutes together a bit while you go; it’ll hurt less, I guarantee.👍

restlesspanther42 said:First off, let's get one thing straight: not every little lump is a hemorrhoid. If there's no pain, itching, burning, or bleeding, it could just be a simple pimple. Even if it does hurt, it might still just be a pimple, which won't linger forever. But if you're seeing blood, then yeah, it's usually a hemorrhoid.

Thanks for the input.
Honestly, there’s zero pain, no bleeding, and no other symptoms—it's just there, and I really don't like the look of it.
It doesn't hurt when I press on it either, but the color is a bit bluish.
It literally appeared overnight; I shower every single day, so I definitely would have noticed it sooner. I felt it today and honestly, it gave me quite a scare.

In any case, my main goal is to get this to clear up as fast as possible. So, I was wondering: if I start using an over-the-counter hemorrhoid cream and it turns out it isn't actually a hemorrhoid, am I going to run into any complications?

Also, can hemorrhoids actually be cured permanently? Like, will this lump eventually go away completely so that it's neither visible nor palpable?

Is it different from something like a mole, where once it shows up, it stays there forever (even if it isn't causing issues)?

I know I really should see a doctor, but the idea of it makes me so incredibly uncomfortable that I'd much rather wait and try to handle things on my own first.

Kyle Lee7 said:Thanks.
It doesn't actually hurt or bleed, and there aren't any symptoms other than the fact that it's there and I hate it.
There's no pain when I press it either, but the color is a bit bluish.
It literally showed up overnight; I shower every day, so I would have noticed it sooner—just like I did today, which really freaked me out.

Anyway, I just want this gone as soon as possible—so I'm wondering, if I start using that hemorrhoid cream and it turns out this isn't even a hemorrhoid, could I run into any complications?

Also, can hemorrhoids be permanently cured? Will that lump actually go away—like, disappear so it's not visible or palpable anymore?

Is it like a mole, where once it shows up, it stays there (even if it doesn't cause trouble)?

I know I should see a doctor, but the idea is so awkward that I’d rather wait and try to handle it myself first.

The only way to get rid of hemorrhoids for good is surgery, and even then, they can come back. Genetics play a huge role, but so does lifestyle. You can actually have them without any pain or symptoms at all, or just very occasionally. Honestly, most people don't even bother seeing a doctor until things get serious, like significant bleeding. Personally, I don't think you need to rush to a clinic or stress too much about it yet. Just wait and see if it clears up on its own. Generally, you shouldn't have issues using the cream, even though it's specifically for hemorrhoids, but don't overdo it. Definitely read the instructions for contraindications and side effects.
I still think it's just a regular pimple, especially if you shave. 😁

Two questions
1. What actually are hemorrhoids?
2. What does it even look like? I honestly have zero clue, so I can't even tell if I've dealt with this before or not...

Come grab a beer and I'll show you, haha 😁 🙂

Alright, all jokes aside...

If you've dealt with them, trust me, you won't forget it.
Hemorrhoids are basically just little blood vessel pouches near the edge of the anus that help seal things up. But because of stuff like changes in blood flow, irritation, getting chilled, or even just bad luck (like genetics), they can get inflamed and swell up. Aside from being super irritating—all that stinging and itching—they can be incredibly painful (just remember that area is packed with nerve endings). When they flare up, you’ll feel one or more lumps about the size of an olive right at the edge. That's the external kind. If they pop up inside the rectum, those are internal ones, and honestly, those are even more of a hassle. It gets really messy if they start bleeding and cracking. The pain can be pretty intense.

I actually thought I had "cured" my issue and everything was fine until about two weeks ago. Then they flared up again, just on the other side this time, and luckily they were a bit milder. This time the culprit was just drinking way too much alcohol and—boom—there was my "reward."

You'll know it's happening when you feel that slight sting or itch down there. Then you get that feeling that "something isn't right" and you feel a painful lump. After a day or two, it swells up and becomes sore to the touch—hard, tight, and you can actually feel your pulse throbbing in it. And don't even get me started on the "joy" of taking a dump. It feels like someone shoved a whole pineapple up your butt and left it there for a week or two. Plus, the inflammation and muscle tension can mess with your prostate, so peeing feels weird too—everything from feeling like you have to go when you don't, to actually struggling to go.

You're truly special if this happens, like, say, on your own wedding day. You'd probably think some ex decided to take up voodoo magic. 😁

didn't have them back then. I know exactly which veins you're talking about, but mine are totally fine. knock on wood...

restlesspanther42 said:The only way to truly fix hemorrhoids is through surgery, and honestly, even then, there’s always a chance they come back. It really comes down to a mix of genetics and lifestyle choices. This means you could technically have them without ever feeling pain or seeing any symptoms. Most people don't even bother seeing a doctor until things get serious, like when there's noticeable bleeding. In my opinion, if you aren't experiencing major issues, there's no need to rush to the clinic or stress out too much. Just wait and see if it clears up on its own. Generally speaking, using a cream shouldn't be an issue, even though it's specifically formulated for hemorrhoids. Just don't overdo it—definitely check the instructions for contraindications and potential side effects first.
I still lean towards thinking it's just a standard pimple, especially if you've been shaving lately. 😁

I totally get where you're coming from—once this shows up, it feels like it's going to keep happening. But I am curious about one thing: between these "flare-ups," does that little bump actually shrink away, or is it just going to stay there forever? Am I seriously going to be walking around with a permanent little nub? If that's the case, I'm going straight under the knife. 😁

Matthew Morris28 said:Hemorrhoids are essentially blood vessels shaped like small pouches that help seal off the rectum, located right at the anal edge. Because of shifts in blood flow, irritation, exposure to the cold, or even just bad luck (including genetic predispositions), they can become inflamed and swollen. Beyond being incredibly irritating—causing stinging and itching—they can be quite painful, especially considering how many sensitive nerve endings are packed into that area. When inflammation kicks in, you might feel one or more lumps about the size of an olive appearing at the edge. That’s the external type. There are also internal ones located inside the rectum; if those flare up, things get even more awkward. It all becomes a much bigger headache if they start bleeding, which can lead to some pretty intense pain.

You usually know something is up when you first feel that slight stinging or itching. Then you get that nagging feeling that "something isn't right" and happen to feel a painful lump. After a day or two, it swells up and becomes tender to the touch—firm, tight, and you can almost feel the pulse of the blood in it. Let me tell you, trying to take a bowel movement during that stage is a total "joy."

So, here's my situation: I felt a lump on Friday morning that definitely wasn't there the day before.
It doesn't hurt or sting yet, though I've had a bit of itching (maybe from the ointment?) and no bleeding. My only real issue is how annoying it is just knowing it's there.

The pharmacist gave me an ointment from a major US pharmaceutical lab, which I've been applying three times a day. On the advice of a fellow forum member, I've also started drinking about 1.5 liters of water daily (can't hurt, right?), washing the area with cold water three times a day, and I'm avoiding tomatoes, spicy foods, and alcohol entirely.

In the meantime, the lump has actually started to shrink and soften. At first, it was hard and about the size of a pea, but now it's smaller and much softer.

Since I caught a cold three times this week from being out in the chilly weather and ended up dealing with a bladder infection too... I'm thinking that might have triggered it.

I honestly used to think this was something that only happened to elderly people or those with really poor diets, so I was pretty surprised and honestly a little spooked by it. But it feels like it might just pass.

Thanks for all the advice.

It’s such a massive misconception to assume this only affects the elderly...

The reality is just that older people actually talk about it, while younger people tend to hide it away like it's some kind of deep dark secret...

Look, being sick isn't shameful, and dealing with a medical issue isn't something to be embarrassed about...

Hemorrhoids are a legitimate medical condition just like any other. If you don't treat them properly or catch them in time, they can seriously mess up your life...

It hits everyone—old, young, men, women... it doesn't discriminate...

I think I read somewhere that something like 60% of pregnant women deal with hemorrhoids. It’s basically because of all that extra pressure on certain veins and arteries during pregnancy, plus just the overall physical strain you go through.

Yeah, honestly, I was pretty shocked when I brought up my own "struggles" with the guys. In my circle of about ten friends—mostly between 25 and 35—six of them have dealt with this exact same issue, usually from catching a chill while out partying, hitting the clubs, or even just being stuck at work.

And here I was thinking I had it rough... turns out I actually got off easy. I started dealing with them right after giving birth, and they've been a total nightmare for a year now. It's more the pain than the bleeding that gets to me—though both suck. Lately, though, they've finally started calming down on their own.

Hey everyone, I’ve run into a bit of a situation, and honestly, I really hate going to the doctor.
I’m pretty sure it’s just an ingrown toenail, so if anyone has some smart advice on how I can deal with this quickly and without too much pain—ideally without having to make an appointment—I’m all ears.🙂

Man, talk about bad timing... I’ve actually got a bit of a situation myself right now because my roof is starting to cave in, and I really don't feel like dealing with a roofing contractor at the moment. 😈
I know medicine isn't exactly the kind of field you can just handle over a phone call or through some online chat... but hey, I don't want to sound totally heartless, even if people are always telling me I am. 🙂
Give this a shot:
1. Use a stool to help with positioning.
2. Cut back on the spicy stuff—avoid heavy heat or hard snacks like peanuts or chips. Stick to soft, cooked foods and things you can eat with a spoon.
3. Skip the alcohol, especially red wine.
4. Don't spend the whole day sitting around; try to get out for a little walk.
5. After you go to the bathroom, make sure to clean up well—using unscented baby wipes works wonders.
6. If there's bleeding or pain, try a cold compress (honestly, tucking an ice cube between your cheeks helps).
7. Apply Hemophilin ointment several times a day—especially after using the restroom and before bed. You'll want to apply it to the area and slightly inside the canal as far as you can comfortably reach with your finger; it's a propolis-based cream.

If you follow all of this strictly for a week and you aren't feeling better... then you really have no choice but to go see a doctor. 😬