There are highly effective ointments and oral treatments for hemorrhoids available in local pharmacies. However, people should bear in mind that not all medications are harmless or effective for everyone. Prior to purchasing and using an over-the-counter medication for hemorrhoids, inquire from the pharmacist. The best thing to do is consult with a physician to prescribe the appropriate medication required.
If the cases of enlarged veins only cause slight irritation, pain, or discomfort, the doctor can recommend creams, suppositories, pads, or ointments that do not require prescriptions and are readily available in drugstores. These products include components like hydrocortisone or some natural astringent that can help lessen pain as well as intolerable itching for the time being. Some cases of swollen rectal veins may need surgery or other procedures to permanently address the problem.
Top 20 ointments for hemorrhoids
Protectants
Formulations used to treat swollen veins usually have protectant components such as mineral oil, starch, or zinc oxide. They work to protect or cover the sensitive and soft tissues to avoid too much dryness and irritation. They form a barrier to protect the skin while it is in the healing process. Ointments can prevent more damage and diminish itchiness by also forming this barrier over the hemorrhoids.
•Zinc oxide (This is a chemical compound which is practically not soluble in water but only in acid and alkali. Works to diminish discomfort and irritation)
•Lanolin
•Topical Starch Hemorrhoidal Suppository (starch)
•Petroleum jelly
•Glycerin
•Mineral oil
Vasoconstrictors
Constricting formulations have the capacity to intensify the tightness of blood vessels. These products facilitate shrinkage of tissues. A typical vasoconstrictor is phenylephrine included in certain treatments like:
•Preparation H ointment/ Preparation H suppositories
•Tronolane Anesthetic Hemorrhoid Suppositories
•Medicone Hemorrhoidal suppositories
Hydrocortisone or steroid
This is a steroid that momentarily diminishes itchiness that is usually experienced with painful distended veins. Over–the-counter formulations with low levels of hydrocortisone are as follows:
•Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Ointment
•Cortizone-10 Anal Itch Cream
•Preparation H Anti-Itch Cream Hydrocortisone
Numbing medications
There are preparations for treating enlarged veins that include a local anesthetic which acts to leave the nerves anesthetized or without sensation. This provides great momentary relief from irritation, discomfort, and pain caused by the inflamed veins. These types of medications include:
•Hemorrhoidal ointment (pramoxine)
•Americaine Hemorrhoidal ointment (benzocaine)
•Tronolane Anesthetic Hemorrhoidal cream (pramoxine)
•Lanacane (benzocaine)
•Nupercainal (dibucaine)
•Medicone Hemorrhoidal Ointment (benzocaine)
Witch hazel is a natural astringent component found in wipes and pads that acts to shrink tissues and tighten blood vessels, facilitates drying, can relieve itchiness and burning.
Combined products
Some treatments that can be availed without prescription have combined medications that function altogether in various ways to lessen pain, itchiness and irritation, swelling, and burning caused by painful distended veins. They facilitate easy passage of stool as well. Among the best ointments for hemorrhoids in the market include:
•Preparation H Cream with Maximum Strength pain Relief. This includes the constricting component phenylephrine, protectants, and anesthetic pramoxine.
•Preparation H Cooling Gel has constricting component phenylephrine and also contains the natural astringent witch hazel.