Hemorrhoids are veins that become swollen inside or outside of the rectum or anus that may cause pain, burning irritation, itching, and bleeding.
Hemorrhoids
Overview and Symptoms
Treatment
Hemorrhoids may not require treatment; they often go away on their own. When needed, treatment options include:
- Over-the-counter medicines to relieve pain, burning, and itching such as hemorrhoid creams, hydrocortisone, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and aspirin
- Soaking the area in warm water
- Drinking fluids and taking fiber supplements to soften bowel movements
Medical procedures to treat hemorrhoids include:
- Rubber band ligation, during which a medical professional places a rubber band around the hemorrhoid to stop blood from flowing to it
- Sclerotherapy, in which a medical professional injects a chemical into the vein to shrink the hemorrhoid