Best For Itch Relief: Preparation H Soothing Relief Anti Itch Cream
Designed to deliver instant relief using a powerful dose of 1% hydrocortisonewhich is the highest strength available over the counterthis maximum-strength, fragrance-free cream significantly soothes and reduces itchiness to kickstart your healing. It works best used with the Preparation H Cooling Wipes mentioned above.
I will say that this worked instantly, and provided an itch-free night which was great, . Grease-less formula which sinks into the skin quickly and goes to work fast.
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Are There Natural Treatments For Hemorrhoids
First, some very good news: Neither type of hemorrhoid is dangerous, and severe complications that require medical care are rare. Symptoms often can be relieved by trying a few natural and self-care treatments.
- Draw a sitz bath. To relieve itching and irritation, fill a tub with three to four inches of warm water and sit in it with your knees bent for about 10 to 15 minutes. Gently pat yourself dry with a towel, but dont rub the area.
- Take fiber supplements. These draw water into your stool and make it easier to pass, helping to reduce hemorrhoid bleeding and inflammation. A psyllium husk fiber supplement, like Metamucil or a generic version, is a good choice. If psyllium causes gas or bloating, try a supplement with wheat dextrin or methylcellulose .
- Ease discomfort. Apply over-the-counter products that shrink the inflamed tissue and relieve itching. Try pads infused with witch hazel , or soothing creams that contain lidocaine, hydrocortisone, or phenylephrine .
You can also take steps to prevent flare-ups.
Why Trust Verywell Health
Rachael Schultz is a freelance writer with a focus in health and nutrition. Her articles have appeared on a handful of other Health sites, and she has a degree from the Savannah College of Art and Design. She specializes in breaking down science and medical jargon into digestible information.
Additional reporting to this story by Marlene Lenthang
As a health writer, knows just how important it is to find the right product for your body and mind. Over the years she has written about health crises, vaccines and product guides. She takes careful note of doctor recommendations, medical research and customer reviews in every product review to assure readers can choose quality products and understand the science behind them.
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Preparation H Finds Place In Club Circuit
Men may be clueless about the real effects of the so-called muscle secret.
New York bouncer, blogger and author Rob Fitzgerald has noticed a trend among many of the macho young men waiting outside his clubs. He says the guys are slathering up their torsos with the hemorrhoid cream Preparation H to make themselves look ârippedâ for the ladies.
Fitzgerald asked one of these guys to describe the practice for his blog, Clublife, âThe way you use it is to take your shirt off and rub it all over yourself before you go to the club,â a man who gave the alias, Peter Minichiello, says. âIf you want to get , you have to know how to dance, and if you want girls to dance with you, you have to look ripped.â
The idea is a bad imitation of a flab spot-treatment secret used by bodybuilders before a competition. But the clubbers who lube up may not like to hear what the medicine in Preparation H actually does to their frame or the real health risks it can pose.
Bodybuilders and Posers
âThe bodybuilders I know use it on their obliques â their love handles â to take away any lingering water weight before shows,â Fitzgerald told ABC News. âThe guys in the clubs heard about this, and the use of it spread virally like some kind of Internet meme.â
Herbal And Home Remedies
In addition to OTC and prescription medicated suppositories, you can make and use alternative suppositories. These are designed to provide comfort and relief, but they dont have active ingredients to reduce swelling, irritation, and pain.
Coconut oil suppositories can be used with hemorrhoids. These are formed by freezing coconut oil in small cylinders. When youre ready to insert the suppository, you can remove one and quickly insert it into the rectum.
The cooled oil provides instant relief. Coconut oil may also provide prolonged relief due to potential anti-inflammatory properties.
You can also make your own laxative suppositories. Combine mineral oil and a solid oil, such as coconut oil or cocoa butter. Freeze into cylinders, and remove one when youre ready to insert.
Mineral oil is absorbed by the body and can help ease stool through your intestines.
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Does Expired Ointment Still Work
If you’re only a few months past the date and the product looks normal, try it. If you are years beyond, it’s worth the few dollars to get a fresh tube. Use common sense–if your cream has a funky odor, tainted color or change in appearance, toss it. If it is dried out or has been exposed to heat or humidity, toss it.
Best Ice Treatment: Hilph Perineal Ice Packs For Postpartum
Courtesy of Amazon
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Doubles as a heat pack
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Can be hard to keep in place
Dont let the marketing for these ice packs fool you. While they work wonders for postpartum women, the elongated shape and size make them perfect for instantly cooling and soothing irritated hemorrhoids. Its no secret that ice is a powerful pain reliever for your rear end, but its not exactly a breeze to fit an ice pack into the tight, highly-sensitive area known as your perineum.
These ice packs, which include soft, skin-friendly covers, are made to stay flexible even when frozen, so they dont cause further irritation. Plus, the fact that you get two ice packs means you can constantly rotate and switch them out, if needed, rather than waiting for the same one to freeze all the time. Another bonus? They can double as heat packs.
Active Ingredients: Gel beads | Dose: Place on the sensitive area for up to 10 minutes at a time | Uses: Provides cooling relief for hemorrhoids
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What Is The Best Preparation H
What is the best Preparation H? Preparation H is a safe product, but it is best to consult your doctor before using it especially if you are breast-feeding or pregnant. Remember that using anti-hemorrhoidal pads is not enough to completely cure your condition. Eating fiber-rich foods and drinking plenty of water can also help cure the dilemma.
Is it OK to use Preparation H Under Your Eyes? Others caution that, while it works, the effects dont last very long. It is good to use it only on special occasions. Use a tiny amount of Preparation H cream under the eye area, being careful not to get any into your eyes because it may cause severe irritation.
What are the benefits of Preparation H? Preparation-H originally started as a sunburn ointment before it was marketed as the, now popular, hemorrhoid treatment. When used as directed, Preparation-H helps shrink hemorrhoids and provides temporary relief from burning, itching and irritation.
When to use Preparation H? You only need to use Preparation H as needed, whenever you need it. It is not a regular regimen, like using it every day twice a day. Its meant to be used whenever there is a flare up and the symptoms become unbearable.
What Are The Side Effects Of Preparation H
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives difficult breathing swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using phenylephrine and call your doctor at once if you have:
- rectal bleeding
- severe irritation inside or around your rectum or
- increased blood pressuresevere headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears, anxiety, nosebleed.
Less serious side effects are more likely, and you may have none at all.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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How Long Can You Use Medicine After Expiration Date
What they found from the study is 90% of more than 100 drugs, both prescription and over-the-counter, were perfectly good to use even 15 years after the expiration date. Hence, the expiration date doesn’t really indicate a point at which the medication is no longer effective or has become unsafe to use.
Preparation H Cooling Gel Rectal Side Effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives difficult breathing swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using Preparation H Cooling Gel and call your doctor at once if you have:
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severe irritation inside or around your rectum or
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increased blood pressureâsevere headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears, anxiety, nosebleed.
Less serious side effects are more likely, and you may have none at all.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Below Are Three Popular Hydrocortisone Creams To Treat Hemorrhoids:
- Preparation H Anti-Itch Cream Hydrocortisone 1%
- Proctozone-HC Cream
- Anusol-HC Cream
The active ingredient in Preparation H with Hydrocortisone is the 1% hydrocortisone.
The inactive ingredients of Preparation H Anti-Itch Cream Hydrocortisone 1% are:
- Anhydrous citric acid
- Sodium hydroxide
Anusol-HC is listed as one of the best creams to treat hemorrhoids. Out of a five-star review, the product received 3.6 stars.
When over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams are not working, Anusol-HC prescription cream is a great option to treat bothersome itch of hemorrhoids.
When Should You See The Doctor For Hemorrhoids
Before assuming that your condition is hemorrhoids, it’s a good idea to see your doctor for an examination. After all, it’s difficult to take a look for yourself. And please, no “selfies”!
If there is any bleeding, severe pain or fecal incontinence , you should definitely see your doctor. A large amount of bleeding or the sudden onset of severe pain means you should seek medical treatment immediately.
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Before Taking This Medicine
You should not use Preparation H Cooling Gel if you are allergic to it Preparation H Cooling Gel .
Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to use this medicine if you have:
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a thyroid disorder.
Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Always ask a doctor before using Preparation H Cooling Gel on a child. Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 2 years old.
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Can I Use Preparation H Cream For Eyes
Answer: Manufacturers claims that preparation h cream is solely for hemorrhoid treatment, but I have seen many people using preparation h cream for eyes. Ingredients in preparation h cream reduces puffiness under eyes and also helps in reducing redness for a while as it restricts the blood vessels from moving in that area. You can use preparation h cream for skin tightening.
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What Is The Best Preparation H For Hemorrhoids
Preparation H is a popular topical treatment for hemorrhoids, both external and internal.
It also contains several inactive ingredients, such as aloe vera leaf extract, anhydrous citric acid, glyceryl monostearate, methylparaben, mineral oil, purified water, sodium benzoate, stearyl alcohol, vitamin E acetate, and xanthan gum.
What does preparation H do?
Preparation H has several constituents that help relieve the symptoms of hemorrhoids, such as pain, itching, and bleeding. Preparation H does the following things:
- Provides temporary relief from pain, swelling, and burning
- Causes the hemorrhoids to temporarily shrink
- Prevents further discomfort by forming a protective coating over the area
- Provides relief from itching and discomfort
- Makes bowel movements less painful
Best For External Hemorrhoids: Anusol Plus Hemorrhoidal Ointment
Walmart
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Contains zinc for maximum skin healing and protection
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Can be used longer than ointments with hydrocortisone
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Prescription needed for a formulation with hydrocortisone
Getting your hands on a tube of Anusol Plus is worth every penny. Sergey V. Kantsevoy, MD, director of The Center for Therapeutic Endoscopy at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, says Anusol is the best treatment for external hemorrhoids and the one he recommends to his patients.
Zinc oxide is a powerful mineral often used to treat diaper rash on babies. Zinc goes a long way when it comes to healing and protecting sensitive, damaged skin. Anusol Plus also includes pramoxine, an analgesic, to numb the pain. If you want the version that contains hydrocortisone , your doctor can usually prescribe it.
Active Ingredients: Pramoxine Hydrochloride 1%, Zinc Sulfate 0.5% | Dose: Apply to affected area up to 5 times per day | Uses: Preventing and treating hemorrhoids
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Desitin Vs Preparation H Active Ingredient Comparison
Desitins main active ingredient is Zinc Oxide 40%. Zinc Oxide forms a protective sheet or barrier over the skin that helps to heal and protect against rashes, wounds, redness, and irritation. Zinc Oxide has shown to be a very effective ingredient for rashes, skin irritations, and itching.
Preparation H has 4 active ingredients to Desitins 1 active ingredients. These 4 active ingredients are Glycerin 14.4%, Phenylephrine HCl 0.25%, Pramoxine HCl 1%, and White petrolatum 15%.
Glycerin and White Petrolatum are skin protectants. Like Zinc Oxide, they provide a barrier that protects the skin from outside contaminants and from further irritation. While Zinc Oxide is a better skin protectant, the other two active ingredients in the Preparation H cream push it over the edge in comparison to Desitin.
The Pramoxine HCL found in Prep H is a topical pain-numbing anesthetic. So, you will get immediate pain relief. The Zinc Oxide does provide pain relief but in more of a soothing way. It does not have a numbing effect like the Pramoxine HCL.
The Pramoxine HCL will actually block the nerves from telling your body that you are in pain.
If You Have Hemorrhoids Topical Cream May Help
Hemorrhoids. They are not exactly a dinner table topic. Few people talk about their symptoms or bring the topic up in social settings. However, more people suffer from the burning, itching, and discomfort of hemorrhoids than you might realize. An estimated 50 percent of all adults have experienced a hemorrhoid flare-up at some point, according to the National Health Care Survey. Only about 12 percent of those seek medical care for their rectal bleeding and other symptoms.
It is important to get an accurate diagnosis, since these symptoms can point to more serious conditions. Once you have a diagnosis, though, you most likely will not need any additional medical care. You can treat your symptoms and minimize any discomfort by applying hemorrhoid cream.
If your symptoms do not resolve within a week or so, you may need to see a proctologist, also known as a colon and rectal surgeon. They will be able to offer additional treatments, either at-home, in-office or in a surgical suite.
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Preparation H For Wrinkles Side Effects
The health conscious among us may right now be wondering what side effects are often associated with the use of Preparation H in reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
Well Preparation H is regarded safe for use on wrinkles but some people have reported getting a skin irritation. It is thus always a good idea to start by applying the cream on a small area of skin to see how it reacts with your body.
Preparation H may also cause temporary redness and sting in people with sensitive skin. Preparation H is also not the best option for people prone to acne outbreaks since it is oil-based.
If you choose to go ahead with the product nevertheless, it is advisable to then use it sparingly and wash your face with a face wash formulated for acne prevention a number of times everyday to reduce oil buildup.
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What Are The Different Types Of Hemorrhoids
Unfortunately, for those wondering how long hemorrhoids last, there is no set timeline for when they clear up. Most of the time, symptoms go away after a few days, even without treatment.1 However, if symptoms do not improve after a week of home care, you should speak with your doctor.2
If youve been asking yourself, How long do internal hemorrhoids last, the answer depends entirely on the severity of the hemorrhoid. A Grade 1 hemorrhoid is considered minor but Grade 2, 3, and 4 hemorrhoids protrude outside the body and may require medical attention. These are the different grades of hemorrhoids:
- Grade 1 = Hemorrhoids that are visible but dont prolapse.
- Grade 2 = These are hemorrhoids that do prolapse during the Valsalva maneuver, but then will naturally reduce. The Valsalva maneuver refers to when you are doing exercise routines and you hold your breath while you push to exhale, which can make hemorrhoid pain worse.
- Grade 3 = Hemorrhoids that will prolapse during the Valsalva maneuver, but require a manual reduction.
- Grade 4 = Hemorrhoids that are not reducible and will require medical attention.5
External hemorrhoids that have thrombosed, or clotted and become hard, can be very painful. Without medical help, the pain will typically improve over two to three days.4
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