There is no difference between hemorrhoids and piles. They are different names for the same condition.

Hemorrhoids are caused by excess pressure on the anorectal region. This pressure can be attributed to pregnancy, weight gain, obesity, weightlifting, constipation, diarrea, sitting on the toilet for too long, and more.

Learn more about what causes hemorrhoids at our dedicated resource page here.

Internal hemorrhoids are located inside of the anal cavity and are typically painless, though they commonly produce bright red blood on toilet paper during bowel movements.

External hemorrhoids are location on the rim of the anal opening and are commonly associated with itching, burning, pain and swelling. These too will bleed if irritated enough.

Sometimes, internal hemorrhoid prolapse and fall outside of the anal opening if not treated early enough. This would still be considered an internal hemorrhoid and is sometimes called a thrombosed hemorrhoid or a prolapsing internal hemorrhoid.

Hemorrhoids are incredibly common, with some data showing that half of all adult aged people will experience hemorrhoids at some point.

You can learn about risk factors for hemorrhoids at our dedicated resource page here.

Irritated external hemorrhoids look like a small marbleized patch. They�re usually dark bluish in color because they�re filled with blood.

The source of hemorrhoids can be effectively managed with some simple lifestyle changes. Hemorrhoid symptoms such as burning, swelling, bleeding and itching can be managed with over the counter ointment.

Hemorrhoids that last longer than one to two weeks should be evaluated by a physician. If the swelling of a case of external hemorrhoids does not go down within two to five days, see a doctor.

You can treat hemorrhoid symptoms with over the counter creams, most commonly made with Lidocaine and Phenylephrine. Lidocaine provides numbing relief while Phenylephrine reduces swelling.

The most efficient method to get rid of external hemorrhoids is to use an over the counter ointment with Lidocaine and Phenylephrine. Also consider an ointment with protectants like Lanolin or Glycerine that stop hemorrhoids from being continually irritated.

During the day your mind is busy. Only when you lie down to rest at night do things that are subtly bothering you become more noticeable, including hemorrhoid-related itching, as itching is simply a mild form of pain.

You can likely prevent hemorrhoids with some simple changes to your lifestyle. Diet and weight management are contributing factors and you can read more about that at our dedicated page on diet for hemorrhoids here.

Surgery is reserved for the most serious cases. If your hemorrhoids last longer than one to two weeks with at home treatment you should see a doctor to discuss other treatment options.

Yes, stress can cause hemorrhoids, though indirectly through stress-causing digestive issues and related symptoms such as diarrhea and constipation, which are directly linked with hemorrhoid formation.

Learn more about stress-related hemorrhoids here in our Ask the Doctor series.

Hemorrhoids bleed due to repeated trauma from the passage of stools during a bowel movement. Harder stools specifically can cause bleeding, which is why we recommend softening stools with a high fiber diet or stool softeners during a flare up.

Avoid scratching and touching bleeding hemorrhoids as much as possible, which we talk more about in our Ask the Doctor series here.

Start by treating the symptoms with a hemorrhoid cream or natural remedy such as a witch hazel compress, and then move on to reduce contributing risk factors such as diet, weight gain or overexertion during weightlifting.

You can, though you may want to change your routine if it puts a lot of pressure on the anorectal area, especially with weightlifting.

Read this review of hemorrhoids and exercise at Harvard's health blog.

Lidocaine is a strong topical numbing agent and it relieves symptoms by numbing the pain.

Hemorrhoids are blood vessels that have become enlarged. They can become irritated and inflamed during and after bowel movements and may cause pain. Sufferers experience itching, swelling, and burning at the affected site, making bowel movements and sitting extremely difficult.

Learn more about hemorrhoids here on our dedicated resource page written by Proctologist Robert S. Cutler.

We at Doctor Butler�s use Lidocaine as the main pain relieving topical anesthetic in our hemorrhoid ointment and cream formulas because it is a low-risk category B drug, meaning it is considered to have almost no negative effect on the fetus or mother, as there are no proven risks in humans and animal studies have failed to show any risk to the fetus. Medical consensus around topical Lidocaine use during pregnancy is mixed, generally advocating for use after the first trimester of pregnancy. Talk to your doctor to learn more.

Our proctologist-developed spray combines effective medication with soothing natural extracts to treat diaper rashes without causing further irritation. It’s also paraben-free, fragrance-free, and dye-free, making it perfect for sensitive skin.

Hold the spray 4-6 inches from your baby’s skin and apply a thin, continuous coating. Use it with each diaper change, especially at bedtime or any time when exposure to wet diapers might be prolonged.

You can purchase Doctor Butler’s No-Rub Diaper Rash Spray directly from our product page. Be sure to check out our other postpartum care products and diaper rash cream.

When enriched Epsom salts combine with the bathwater, you get even more relief from your soak time.

The healing agents contained in Epsom salts work with the warm water to alleviate hemorrhoid discomfort.

The Epsom salt for hemorrhoids remedy does two things. First, it reduces inflammation to manage hemorrhoid flareups.

Additionally, Epsom salt baths are known to relieve constipation. Constipation is one factor that leads to flareups, so Epsom salts also provide a preventative benefit.

Warm water relaxes the sphincter, cleanses the affected area, and calms hemorrhoid flareups.

Compared to cold water, warm water does a better job of dissolving healing Epsom salt for hemorrhoids.

Some may prefer to take hot baths but keep in mind that hot water may cause further irritation to this sensitive area.

The Sitz bath device is designed for you to dip just your bottom into for hemorrhoid flareup treatment.

While a Sitz bath makes it easier to do a hemorrhoid treatment, you can use other similar objects (as long as it’s kept sanitary) to have a Sitz bath in.

Some prefer to have a Sitz bath device on hand because they need to soak the area several times per day. It’s more convenient than filling a bathtub.

Whether you use the Sitz bath device or a tub, Epsom salts work well for hemorrhoid soaking treatments.

An Epsom salt compress is how you get the benefit of an Epsom salt bath without covering your entire bottom with water.

This method is quicker and easier when you don’t have time to do a Sitz bath treatment. You’ll need a large clean container, warm water, Epsom salts for hemorrhoids, a clean washcloth, and a dry towel.

1. Fill a clean container with half a gallon of warm water.
2. Stir in one cup of Soothing Epsom Salts until fully dissolved.
3. Take a clean washcloth and dunk the cloth into the mixture. Wring out the excess water from the washcloth.
4. Form the washcloth into a compress and apply it to the affected area for 10-15 minutes.
5. Pat the area dry.
6. Dispose of unused water, and launder the washcloth. Use a clean washcloth for each treatment.

Doctor Butler’s medication is a two-week treatment for providing instant relief from hemorrhoid pain while promoting healing. The ointment combines maximum strength Phenylephrine and 4% Lidocaine to effectively numb pain, reduce swelling, and stop bleeding. Additionally, it incorporates a unique blend of herbs, minerals, amino acids, and essential oils that aid in skin healing once swelling subsides and bleeding ceases. In case symptoms persist beyond the treatment period, it is recommended to consult a physician to rule out advanced or complicated conditions.

Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in and around the anal cavity, commonly caused by activities such as sitting, straining on the restroom, and pregnancy. These blood vessels and soft tissues are sensitive remnants of ancient human anatomy, serving the purpose of facilitating bowel movements. While hemorrhoids are present in the body at all times and considered a normal part of human anatomy, they become problematic when they become swollen and inflamed. When people talk about hemorrhoids, they typically refer to symptomatic ones.

Medicated hemorrhoid ointments provide temporary pain relief for flare-ups by numbing the affected area. Ingredients like Lidocaine, Pramoxine, or Hydrocortisone are commonly used for pain relief in hemorrhoid treatments. However, the overall effectiveness of an ointment depends on the combination of ingredients, the presence of additional healing components, and the delivery system used. Doctor Butler’s ointment stands out as it was specifically designed to deliver prolonged relief through a proprietary formula that enhances the ointment’s effectiveness, addressing a wider range of symptoms and promoting healing.

To use, apply a pea sized amount upon waking up, after your first bowel movement, and before bed each day. Follow these instructions every time:

1. Wash and dry your hands before using hemorrhoid cream. It is essential to keep the area affected by hemorrhoids clean and clear of bacteria.
2. Once ready to apply the ointment, wash your anal area as you want to avoid introducing more bacteria to the affected area. Use cleansing wipes or a sitz bath/sitz soak. Try to avoid toilet paper as it can be rough on irritated skin. Wash your hands again.
3. Attach the applicator head to the hemorrhoid cream, ensuring it is on tight. Squeeze some of the hemorrhoid cream out and rub it on the outside of the applicator tip.
4. Squeeze your hemorrhoid cream tube just enough for roughly a pea-sized amount of hemorrhoidal ointment to come out. Apply externally or to the skin of the anal canal only.
5. Remove the applicator gently, and remove it from the tube and wash the applicator and your hands.

For a more detailed guide, visit our Resources page titled How to Apply Hemorrhoid Cream.

Absolutely. Our wipes can be used up to six times daily, after each bowel movement or to prepare for the application of medicated ointment, cream or spray.

Doctor Butler’s flushable medicated wipes feature ingredients that protect your skin and treat hemorrhoids without the use of harsh chemical preservatives. Our main active ingredient is certified organic, and the wipes are both paraben and plastic free. The wipes are made from biodegradable plant fibers and are made in the USA, meaning they’re gentle on both you and the planet.

Use our Advanced Formula hemorrhoid and fissure ointment after wiping with these wipes. Wipes are a great first step in a daily hemorrhoid care routine to make sure that your skin is clean, and providing a base layer of relief is the necessary foundation for continuous improvement of symptoms, but it’s best to use an ointment made without a vasoconstrictor like our Advanced Formula because these wipes are already medicated to shrink swollen skin. Once you make sure you’re not doubling up on that shrinking effect, applying additional treatments to an area that has been cleaned with a medicated wipe lessens the risk of infection and improves the efficacy of the treatment.

All Doctor Butler’s ingredients are considered low risk on the EWG’s Skin Deep database, for example, but an allergic reaction or unusual sensitivity is impossible to rule out. If you notice skin rash, hives, difficulty breathing or any swelling of your face, lips, or throat, see a medical professional at once. The risk of side effects is low when used as directed, but as always, consulting a physician before using any product is recommended.

Those looking to save on our easiest-to-use products. This bundle combines our soothing wipes with our fast acting, mess-less spray for a convenient one-two cleanup and treatment package. Plus, save 10% by bundling!

Relief will be instant and swelling should go down about a day after applying spray. We advise one to two weeks of continuous use to tame flare ups. Our wipes can be used as much as needed to clean and soothe the area.

This bundle will help treat fissures by taming swollen hemorrhoids, a common cause of fissures. For more direct fissure relief, try our Advanced Hemorrhoid Pain & Protection Box containing our Advanced Formula hemorrhoid & fissure ointment.

Use the spray three times a day: Once upon waking up, once after your first bowel movement, and finally again before bed. Every time you have the option to wipe and then spray, or spray the wipe and use it that way. Use the wipes as often as you'd like between treatments.

While baby wipes are traditionally used for cleaning up bottoms, moms and dads have been using them for all kinds of messes – from sticky hands to snotty noses. Our organic baby hand and face wipes are perfect for any skin surface that needs a quick clean.

Adults with sensitive skin swear by our wipes. These wipes deliver a truly hypo-allergenic way to conveniently cleanse and moisturize your skin. Too tired to wash off your makeup at night? Our wipes are perfect for removing makeup so you don’t sleep in it.

Our natural baby wipes are absolutely safe for sensitive skin. We built a better wipe from scratch using the best natural ingredients – even the cloth itself is made from bamboo.

No irritants were used to make our wipes. What’s more, making our wipes extra-large from strong material means less wiping, so there is less friction on human skin.

Our wipes are hypoallergenic, preservative-free, and free of harmful chemicals. For those with sensitivities, our wipes are your skin’s new best friend!

Doctor Butler’s Organic Wipes were developed by a board-certified physician to be extra-gentle on newborn baby’s skin for every diaper change.

This product is a newborn essential must-have with its organic formula that makes our towelettes the safest baby wipes for regular use. This product’s ingredient list earns the highest EWG (Environmental Working Group) safety score.

When we created this product, we listed all the flaws in your average baby wipe and set out to improve upon each one. We left out the harmful, irritating ingredients and included nourishing botanicals instead.

Not only are these wipes safe for sensitive skin, but they are also safe for the environment (bio-degradable) and animal-safe (cruelty-free). We chose bamboo wipes so they would be super-strong yet ultra-soft.

What brands can claim to be created by a real doctor? Ours can. Dr. Robert Cutler developed the best baby wipes using medical-grade material.

When you purchase a pack of Doctor Butler’s Organic Baby Wipes, your money goes to support a family-owned and operated business.

Tired of wipes that rip, don’t clean well, and leave a rash? Try Doctor Butler’s Organic Baby Wipes risk-free! We back our product with a money-back guarantee.