How to Get Rid of Hemorrhoids: Relief, Treatments, and When to See a Doctor

You sat down, felt a sharp sting, and noticed a little blood on the toilet paper. It is uncomfortable, a bit alarming, and frankly not something you want to talk about. Take a breath: hemorrhoids are extremely common, and most cases clear up with simple care you can start at home today.

Here is the honest answer to how to get rid of hemorrhoids. For most people, the fix is softer stools, warm soaks, and a short course of an over-the-counter product, with symptoms easing within a few weeks. A smaller share need a quick in-office procedure. Below is exactly what to try, in what order, and the warning signs that mean it is time to call a clinician.

What are hemorrhoids, and why did I get them?

Hemorrhoids, sometimes called piles, are swollen and inflamed veins around the anus or in the lower rectum. There are two main types: internal hemorrhoids, which sit inside the rectum, and external hemorrhoids, which form under the skin around the anus. Internal ones are graded by severity, from first degree through fourth degree, based on how much they prolapse, or bulge outward.

They are far more common than most people assume. Hemorrhoids affect about 1 in 20 Americans, and about half of adults older than age 50 have them. They tend to develop from anything that puts pressure on those veins: straining during bowel movements, hard stools, prolonged sitting, pregnancy, and aging. The good news is that the same habits that cause them can usually be reversed.

How to get rid of hemorrhoids at home

For most people, home care is the first and most effective step. The goal is to soften your stool so you stop straining, and to calm the swelling and irritation while your body heals. Start with these basics:

• Soften your stool with fiber: Eat more high-fiber foods and consider a supplement like psyllium (Metamucil) or methylcellulose (Citrucel), paired with plenty of water. Softer, easier-to-pass stools reduce straining and both treat and help prevent hemorrhoids.
• Take warm soaks: Soak the affected area in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day. A sitz bath that fits over the toilet works well and helps reduce swelling and ease pain.
• Use a cold compress: Ice packs or cold compresses applied to the area can ease swelling and pain.
• Try an OTC product: Over-the-counter creams, ointments, suppositories, or pads with witch hazel or hydrocortisone can relieve pain and itching. Do not use these for more than 1 week at a time unless your doctor tells you to.
• Ease discomfort: OTC pain relievers such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen can help with discomfort.

How long do hemorrhoids take to go away?

With consistent home care, many hemorrhoids settle down within a few weeks. Itching and minor bleeding often improve faster once your stools soften and you stop straining.

Pay attention to the one-week mark. If your hemorrhoids have not improved after about a week of home remedies, that is the signal to see a doctor rather than keep buying more creams. Over-the-counter hemorrhoid products are meant for short-term use, generally up to one week, and pushing past that without relief usually means you need a proper evaluation.

Medical and in-office treatments

If home care is not enough, a clinician has several effective, low-downtime options, especially for internal hemorrhoids that bleed or prolapse. These are common and far less dramatic than they sound.

Rubber band ligation is the most common office-based procedure. A small band is placed at the base of an internal hemorrhoid to cut off its blood supply, and the hemorrhoid shrinks and falls off within a few days. It is typically done without anesthesia. Other minimally invasive options include sclerotherapy, an injection that destroys hemorrhoid tissue, and coagulation. For more severe or persistent cases, Doppler-guided treatment or surgical options such as hemorrhoidectomy or stapling may be considered. Your clinician will match the approach to the type and grade of your hemorrhoids.

How to keep hemorrhoids from coming back

Getting rid of hemorrhoids is only half the job; the other half is preventing the next flare. The strategies overlap with treatment, because the root cause is usually the same: pressure and straining.

• Eat a high-fiber diet and drink ample water to keep stools soft.
• Use a fiber supplement or stool softener if needed.
• Stay physically active to keep things moving.
• Avoid prolonged sitting, especially on the toilet, and do not strain or push.
• Work toward a healthy weight if that applies to you.
• Go when you feel the urge rather than waiting.

When to see a doctor

Home care handles most cases, but some symptoms warrant professional attention. See a doctor if your hemorrhoids last more than a week despite home remedies, or if you have rectal bleeding.

Rectal bleeding deserves special caution. While bleeding is a common hemorrhoid symptom, it can also be caused by more serious conditions, so it should never be assumed to be hemorrhoids without an evaluation, particularly if it is new, heavy, or accompanied by changes in your bowel habits. Seek prompt care for severe pain, a hard painful lump near the anus, or significant bleeding. If you would like a convenient starting point, a clinician-overseen service like Nolla can help you understand your symptoms and decide on next steps, but anything severe or persistent should be evaluated in person.