External haemorrhoids are the most common type and cause discomfort in humans. Haemorrhoids can be divided into two types, namely external and internal haemorrhoids.
There are various ways to treat external haemorrhoids, ranging from natural ones to drugs available at pharmacies. You have to choose which one suits you best.
What is an external haemorrhoid?
External haemorrhoids are a condition where a lump appears on the skin around the anal canal. These lumps will usually be painful, itchy, sore, and uncomfortable. Not infrequently, the node will bleed during bowel movements.
Lumps on external haemorrhoids can appear due to swelling of the veins around the anus. It occurs due to increased pressure around the anal veins. Factors that can improve this pressure include:
- Constipation
- Straining too hard when defecating
- Sitting too long while defecating
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Anal sex
- Less fibre consumption
- Too often, lifting heavy objects
How to treat external haemorrhoids naturally
You can eliminate external haemorrhoids with natural methods you can do yourself at home, such as the following.
1. Increase fibre consumption
Lack of fibre consumption is one of the leading causes of problems related to the digestive tract, and external haemorrhoids are no exception. So to overcome this, you need to consume more fibre.
By consuming enough fibre, the consistency of the stool that comes out of the digestive tract can be softer. So, the anus does not need to work too hard until a haemorrhoid lump arises.
Expand the consumption of fibre from vegetables, fruit, and whole grains. If necessary, you can also take fibre supplements.
2. Take a warm bath
A warm bath can help relieve swelling and reduce irritation caused by external haemorrhoids. You can also add other ingredients to the water, such as Epsom salt or apple cider vinegar.
But never apply apple cider vinegar directly to haemorrhoid lumps because it will worsen the condition, and this material will make the existing node more irritated.
3. Apply aloe vera gel
Aloe vera gel is effective in naturally treating external haemorrhoids due to its anti-inflammatory properties. With these properties, aloe vera gel will help reduce irritation that occurs.
It is recommended that you only use a gel that is 100% natural and not a gel with a mixture of other ingredients.
Until now, research on the benefits of aloe vera for haemorrhoids is not complete. So, it would help if you still were careful when using it.
4. Make use of coconut oil
Coconut oil is a natural moisturizer. So, this material is suitable for helping reduce the symptoms of external haemorrhoids, such as irritation of the skin around the anus. In relieving irritation, this oil can ease the swelling of haemorrhoid lumps.
5. Drink more water
One of the leading causes of external haemorrhoids is a lack of fluid intake. It causes the consistency of the stool to come out, hard and dry. As a result, bowel movements are painful. The blood vessels around the anus have to tighten due to straining too hard.
Drinking lots of water can be one of the simplest ways to treat external haemorrhoids. This good habit will also relieve constipation and reduce irritation around haemorrhoids.
6. Compress with ice water
Natural treatment for external haemorrhoids is straightforward to do and effective for getting rid of swelling in the anus, which is quite large. Compress the anus with a towel that has been soaked in ice water for 15 minutes 2-3 times a day.
7. Exercise regularly
Regular exercise can also help bowel movements, reducing the risk of external haemorrhoids. Smooth bowel movements can also make haemorrhoids that have appeared so that they heal faster.
8. Wear loose underwear
The material of underwear also affects the condition of external haemorrhoids experienced. Some ingredients can irritate the anal skin, making it difficult for haemorrhoids to heal.
Therefore, you are advised to use loose underwear made of cotton. That way, the anal skin will be kept dry and clean, thus accelerating the healing process of external haemorrhoids.
9. Apply witch hazel
Witch hazel is an ingredient that is usually used for skincare products. However, this natural ingredient can also help treat external haemorrhoids. Witch hazel has natural anti-inflammatory properties to help relieve itching, pain, and swelling caused by haemorrhoids.
You can get witch hazel in liquid or soap at the pharmacy and rub it on the haemorrhoid area.
Medicine for external haemorrhoids
For the external haemorrhoids, you experience subsides faster, and you can also combine natural treatments with haemorrhoid drugs that can purchase at pharmacies, such as:
9. Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory drug that can help relieve external haemorrhoid symptoms such as pain when bowel movements occur. This drug belongs to the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin, and mefenamic acid class.
10. Paracetamol
You can also choose other pain relievers besides ibuprofen, such as paracetamol, to help reduce pain during bowel movements.
11. Hydrocortisone cream
Not only oral medication, but you can also use haemorrhoid ointment or cream that contains hydrocortisone. This cream will help treat haemorrhoids by reducing inflammation in the skin around the anus and helping to deflate the haemorrhoid lumps.
12. Stool softener
Stool softeners can be obtained at pharmacies without a doctor’s prescription. This medicine will help relieve constipation so that you no longer have to work hard and strain the anal veins when you have a bowel movement.
It dramatically helps the external haemorrhoid healing process, so you can defecate without feeling pain and bleeding. Stool softeners usually need to be taken once or three times a day, depending on the instructions on the package.
How to prevent external haemorrhoids
The primary step that needs to be taken to prevent external haemorrhoids is to avoid things that can cause constipation. In addition, you also need to make efforts to prevent stools from being too hard and dry, making them difficult to pass.
Here are some things you can do to prevent it.
- Increase your daily fibre intake by increasing your intake of vegetables, fruit, and whole grains
- Meet the needs of fluids every day. Drink lots of water so that the colour of urine can be clear and yellowish
- Exercise regularly
- Do not hold back from urinating. If you feel it, go straight to the toilet.
- Reduce sitting time on the toilet too long
- Do not lift objects that are too heavy
