Hemorrhoid Creams, Suppositories and Wipes: Label Checks and When to Stop
Bloating & DigestionArticleDrugstore hemorrhoid products mix ingredients that shrink, numb and protect. One common ingredient carries warnings for high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and thyroid disease. Federal experts suggest using them for about a week before checking in.
In this article
Hemorrhoid products fill a whole shelf: creams, ointments, suppositories and medicated wipes. Many combine several ingredients with different jobs. Here is how to read the label.
What the ingredients do
A typical combination cream lists:1
- A protectant (such as petrolatum or glycerin) to coat and protect irritated skin
- A vasoconstrictor (phenylephrine) to temporarily shrink swollen tissue
- A local anesthetic (such as pramoxine) to numb pain and itching
Medicated wipes often contain witch hazel. Some creams contain hydrocortisone or lidocaine instead.
Check this before you buy
The label for a phenylephrine cream says to ask a doctor first if you have:1
- heart disease
- high blood pressure
- thyroid disease
- diabetes
It also says to ask a doctor or pharmacist if you take a prescription medicine for blood pressure or depression.1 These conditions are common after 50, so it’s worth a quick pharmacist check.
How long to use them
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)2 says these products may relieve mild pain, swelling and itching of external hemorrhoids, and that doctors most often recommend using them for 1 week.2 Follow up if they don’t help after a week or cause dry skin or a rash.2 The cream label says to stop and ask a doctor if bleeding occurs or if symptoms don’t improve within 7 days.1
Habits that help as much as products
NIDDK recommends high-fiber foods or a fiber supplement, enough fluids, not straining, not sitting on the toilet for long, and warm sitz baths.2 Our guide to psyllium fiber explains how to start.
When to see a clinician
- Seek care right away for severe anal pain with rectal bleeding, especially with belly pain, diarrhea or fever.2
- Get any rectal bleeding checked, since it isn’t always hemorrhoids. Our article on at-home colon cancer tests covers screening.
- Ask about office treatments, such as rubber band ligation, if hemorrhoids keep coming back.2 See our guide to repeat hemorrhoid banding.
Our explainer on what hemorrhoids are covers the basics.
Try: “I’ve used a hemorrhoid cream for a week and I’m still bleeding a little. I also take blood pressure medicine. What should we check?”
Bloated by Dinner includes a Belly Clock log and a Test-It list with a visit script. Use them to note bowel habits, bleeding and what you’ve tried. See the book.
This article is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It isn't a substitute for diagnosis or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional who knows your health history. Please don't ignore professional advice or delay getting care because of something you read here. Rectal bleeding, black stools, a change in bowel habits, or severe anal pain should be checked by a clinician, since these can have causes other than hemorrhoids. If you think you may be having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. This article discusses categories of products and federal health information. It does not evaluate any particular brand or product. Girl Playbook does not endorse any specific product, test, or provider.
Girl Playbook sells this book. It provides education and worksheets, not individualized medical care.
Sources
The research behind this article, in the order it’s cited. How we source our articles.
- DailyMed, National Library of MedicineHemorrhoidal cream (glycerin, phenylephrine, pramoxine, white petrolatum): Drug Facts (opens in a new tab)abcd
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney DiseasesTreatment of Hemorrhoids (opens in a new tab)abcdef
Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we’ll check it.
