How to Get Rid of Hemorrhoids Naturally and Safely

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in or around the anus and lower rectum. They can cause itching, discomfort, a lump, or bright-red blood during a bowel movement. Gentle self-care may relieve mild symptoms and reduce straining, but “natural” does not mean risk-free, and home remedies cannot confirm the cause. If this is your first episode of rectal bleeding, or you are unsure what is causing symptoms, contact a healthcare professional rather than assuming it is hemorrhoids.

What You’ll Need

A source of dietary fiber, such as beans, oats, fruit, vegetables, or whole grains
Water or other nonalcoholic fluids, unless a clinician has told you to limit fluids
A clean bathtub or sitz bath basin and comfortably warm water
Soft, unscented toilet tissue or water for gentle cleaning
A footstool for the toilet, if it helps you sit comfortably without straining

Step-by-Step

Check for symptoms that need care. Seek urgent medical help for heavy or ongoing rectal bleeding, faintness, severe pain, black or tarry stool, or bleeding with weakness or shortness of breath. Arrange prompt medical advice for fever, pus, a rapidly worsening lump, or significant pain. These signs can have causes other than hemorrhoids.
Make bowel movements easier. Increase fiber through food, adding it gradually to reduce gas and bloating. Good choices include pears, berries, vegetables, lentils, beans, oats, and whole-grain bread. A sudden large increase can cause discomfort, so build up over several days and follow a clinician’s advice if you have a digestive condition or specific dietary restrictions.
Drink enough fluid. Have fluids regularly so fiber can help make stool softer. Needs vary with health, activity, and weather; there is no single amount that suits everyone. Follow medical guidance if you have heart, kidney, or other conditions that require fluid limits. Do not force excessive water intake.
Respond to the urge. Go when you feel you need to, rather than putting it off. Sit in a relaxed position, keep your breathing steady, and avoid pushing or holding your breath. A small footstool may help some people find a comfortable position, but it is not essential.
Keep toilet time brief. Avoid sitting on the toilet for long periods, including while using a phone or reading. If a bowel movement is not happening without straining, get up and try again when the urge returns. Prolonged sitting and forceful pushing can aggravate symptoms.
Try a warm soak. Sit in a clean tub or sitz bath with comfortably warm—not hot—water for about 10 to 15 minutes, especially after a bowel movement. Gently pat the area dry afterward. Stop if the water irritates your skin. Do not add essential oils, fragrances, or harsh cleaners, which may cause irritation.
Clean gently and keep the area dry. Rinse with water or use soft, unscented tissue; avoid scrubbing. Pat dry instead of rubbing. Scented wipes, perfumes, and vigorous wiping can worsen itching or soreness. Wash your hands after using the toilet and cleaning the area.
Reduce pressure while symptoms settle. Take easy walks if comfortable, and break up long periods of sitting. Avoid activities that cause pain or require forceful straining. Return to usual activity gradually as symptoms improve; prolonged bed rest is not a hemorrhoid treatment.
Review progress and arrange care if needed. Note whether pain, itching, swelling, or bleeding is improving. Home measures may ease symptoms over several days, but do not keep treating unexplained bleeding yourself. If symptoms do not improve after about a week, return, or interfere with daily life, contact a healthcare professional for an assessment and treatment options.

Common Mistakes

Assuming all rectal bleeding is hemorrhoids: Other conditions can cause bleeding, so a new or recurring symptom deserves medical assessment.
Straining to finish: Pushing hard and holding your breath can increase pressure. Pause rather than forcing a bowel movement.
Adding fiber too fast: A sudden change may cause gas or bloating. Increase fiber gradually and drink fluids as appropriate.
Using irritating home remedies: Vinegar, essential oils, fragranced products, and unverified preparations can irritate delicate skin. Avoid inserting anything into the anus.
Expecting natural care to cure every case: Home steps may relieve symptoms, but persistent or severe hemorrhoids sometimes need medical treatment.

Tips

Make fiber a regular part of meals rather than relying on a one-time change.
Choose warm water that feels comfortable on the skin; hot water can burn or aggravate irritation.
Use breathable underwear and change out of damp clothing to help keep the area comfortable.
Ask a pharmacist or clinician before using over-the-counter creams, suppositories, or laxatives, especially if you are pregnant, take other medicines, or have ongoing health conditions.
Keep a brief note of bleeding, bowel habits, and pain to help describe the problem during an appointment.

Troubleshooting

Fiber causes bloating: Reduce the pace of increase, try smaller additions from different foods, and ask a clinician for guidance if discomfort continues. Do not sharply restrict food or fluids without advice.

The soak makes symptoms worse: Stop soaking, rinse gently with plain water, and pat dry. Avoid additives and seek advice if irritation persists or a rash develops.

There is blood, but little pain: Do not use the absence of pain to rule out a problem. Contact a healthcare professional, particularly for a first episode, repeated bleeding, blood mixed into stool, or a change in bowel habits.

Pain or swelling is worsening: Arrange prompt medical advice. Severe pain, heavy bleeding, faintness, or black stool needs urgent assessment rather than more home remedies.

Symptoms keep returning: A clinician can check the diagnosis and discuss ways to prevent recurrence or other treatments. Mention medicines and health conditions, as these can affect bleeding and bowel habits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can hemorrhoids go away naturally?

Mild symptoms may improve with softer stools, less straining, and gentle hygiene. Home care cannot guarantee that a hemorrhoid will disappear, and persistent symptoms should be assessed.

How long should I try home care?

Seek advice sooner for bleeding, severe or worsening symptoms, or warning signs. If mild symptoms are not improving after about a week, contact a healthcare professional rather than extending self-treatment indefinitely.

Does a warm bath cure hemorrhoids?

A comfortably warm soak may soothe discomfort and itching, but it does not reliably remove hemorrhoids. Use plain water and stop if it irritates your skin.

Should I use ice or heat?

A warm soak is a simple comfort measure. If you try a cool pack for brief relief, wrap it in cloth and never place ice directly on skin; stop if it causes pain or numbness. Neither approach treats the underlying cause.

Can I prevent hemorrhoids from coming back?

Regular fiber, suitable fluid intake, responding to bowel urges, and avoiding straining may reduce pressure during bowel movements. Recurrence can still happen, so discuss repeated symptoms with a clinician.

When is rectal bleeding an emergency?

Get urgent medical help for heavy or persistent bleeding, faintness, severe pain, black or tarry stool, or bleeding accompanied by marked weakness or shortness of breath. For any new or recurring bleeding, arrange medical advice even if it seems minor.

Further reading: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Details can change, so check the official page for anything that matters to you. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. How we write an answer.