Should You Use Hemorrhoidal Wipes?
Veins in the anal canal that become swollen and enlarged are known as hemorrhoids, and can lead to pain and itching.1
There are lots of ways to manage your symptoms, from adjusting your bathroom habits, applying ice packs and even seeking out medical advice.1 Some people choose to help soothe an irritating itch with medicated wipes. Learn if this option is a good choice for you.
Why do People Use Medicated Wipes for Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are frequently associated with bathroom issues like constipation, diarrhea, prolonged sitting on a toilet, and straining during bowel movements.2 While you can develop new bathroom habits to prevent flare-ups from occurring, managing existing symptoms is also important.
Because hemorrhoids are so commonly linked to bathroom habits and issues, it’s important to care for the anal area – especially after bowel movements – to keep your skin clean and moisturized.1 Extra wiping can clean away any leftover fecal matter – which is irritating to your skin and may exacerbate your symptoms.1
While some people prefer to use a washcloth or moistened toilet paper to clean the anal area, others may look to prepackaged medicated wipes for hemorrhoids. These hemorrhoidal wipes often contain ingredients like witch hazel and aloe, which can help soothe burn and itch.1
What Ingredients Make Hemorrhoidal Wipes Effective?
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel, derived from a plant known as Hamamelis virginiana, is what’s known as a botanical astringent.3 This means that it can tighten or shrink tissues on your body.3 You might be familiar with astringents as part of your skincare routine, as they can help the appearance of your skin by making pores look smaller. But this topical solution can help relieve minor pain and irritation from hemorrhoids as well.3
Aloe
Aloe vera is well known for its soothing, anti-inflammatory properties. Its inclusion in medicated wipes for hemorrhoids may help relieve pain from flare-ups.4
Chamomile
Chamomile has long been used for medicinal purposes, such as the treatment of hay fever, insomnia and GI disorders.5 It’s also used for healing pain due to inflammation and external swelling.5 With this in mind, it makes sense that this herb be used to help treat hemorrhoids. Tinctures of chamomile are frequently used in a sitz bath to help provide relief from inflammation associated with hemorrhoids.5
Preparation H Medicated Wipes are specially formulated with witch hazel to soothe and clean affected areas. Using hemorrhoidal wipes can gently cleanse sensitive areas, manage burning and itching, and reduce damage to your skin.
Women have different physical needs when it comes to personal care, especially during pregnancy. That’s why Preparation H Medicated Wipes for Women are specially formulated to provide soothing relief that cools on contact. In addition to witch hazel, these wipes for hemorrhoid relief are also infused with aloe, cucumber, and chamomile. These medicated wipes can help clean and soothe an affected area and help you manage the symptoms of your hemorrhoids.
Source Citations:
- How Can I Treat My Hemorrhoids? Temple Health. https://www.templehealth.org/about/blog/how-can-i-treat-my-hemorrhoids. Accessed 4/27/23.
- Help for Hemorrhoids. Harvard Health Publishing. https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/help-for-hemorrhoids. Accessed 4/27/23.
- Witch hazel wipes. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/18640-witch-hazel-wipes. Accessed 4/27/23.
- 5 Best and Worst Home Remedies for Your Hemorrhoids. Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-get-rid-of-hemorrhoids/. Accessed 4/27/23.
- Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with a bright future. National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2995283/#. Accessed 4/27/23.
