Table of Contents
- What are Hemorrhoids?
- Essential Items You Should Pack
- Travel Tips for the Journey
- Seeking Medical Advice Before Travel
- Traveling With Hemorrhoids: Destination Considerations
While the joy of travel is leaving your cares at home, hemorrhoids never seem to get the memo. Traveling with hemorrhoids doesn’t have to inhibit a road trip, work trip or holiday getaway, however. Carefully planning and packing with a hemorrhoid in mind can mean an enjoyable experience away from the safety of your own bathroom. Use our travel tips to ensure any length of stay remains hemorrhoid and stress free!
Who are we? We’re Doctor Butler’s, experts in down-there care of hemorrhoids and related conditions. We make proctologist-developed hemorrhoid ointments and complementary products to help you quickly leave the pain behind. Dr. Robert Cutler medically reviews all of the information here.
What are Hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids, also called piles, are swollen veins that form inside and outside of your rectum and anus. Internal hemorrhoids pop-up in the lining of the anus and are harder to see and feel, causing less severe symptoms unless they protrude outside the anus. External hemorrhoids form under the skin around the outside of your anus, causing purplish lumps that can burn, itch, ache and bleed.
Hemorrhoids are very common. These inflamed veins can appear as a result of straining during bowel movements, pregnancy, obesity, lack of exercise, improper diet, and aging. Flare-ups can be frequent, though hemorrhoids are typically very responsive to at-home and over-the-counter treatments. A persistent hemorrhoid that does not respond to treatment attempts should be looked at by a medical professional.
Essential Items You Should Pack
As with any type of travel, making a meticulous packing list ahead of time will help ensure that you arrive on your trip carefree. Traveling with hemorrhoids is no different, and keeping your comfort in mind before you depart will ensure you are never far from relief. Just like our camping checklist, here are some of our must-pack items when you’re leaving home with hemorrhoids.
Toilet Paper
Even if you’re not headed to the woods, bringing your own toilet paper can be a gamechanger when avoiding flare-ups while traveling. Hotels are notorious for using scented options, and an Airbnb, hostel or motel on a budget may only have thin and rough toilet paper available. Choosing the right roll means a soft, unscented and hypoallergenic double-ply that won’t further irritate the delicate skin of your anus. Paying attention to how you use the toilet paper is just as important; gently dabbing or blotting the area will prevent further irritation versus literal wiping, which risks causing tears.
You can also bring along a moisturizing cleansing lotion or to smooth out any rough toilet paper, or opt to bring wet wipes.
Stool Softeners
If you haven’t experienced it yourself, it’s likely you’ve traveled with someone suffering from the common affliction we call vacation constipation. For someone traveling with hemorrhoids, this can pose additional setbacks, as constipation is notorious for increasing hemorrhoid pain and symptoms. While exercise, staying hydrated, and sticking to a high fiber diet can help, it may be wise to plan ahead and pack a stool softener. This is a gentle and effective over-the-counter option for drawing water into the stool and making bowel movements easier to pass.
Stool softeners are an emollient laxative, meaning they do not cause a bowel movement but prevent hard and dry stools from forming. Be wary of stimulant laxatives, which can be habit forming and may be too strong, leading to diarrhea and the aggravation of symptoms (who wants to deal with diarrhea while traveling with hemorrhoids!). Popular OTC stool softeners include Colace, Phillips’ and Equate. As always, consulting your physician before taking any type of medication is recommended.
Over-the-Counter Treatments
In addition to stool softeners, there are a number of over-the-counter treatments to include in your medicine kit while traveling with hemorrhoids.
- Ointments and creams with pain-relieving ingredients such as lidocaine, zinc oxide and phenylephrine hydrochloride take care of acute symptoms so you can focus on your trip.
- Travel size, single use ointment to-go packets mean no fuss at airport security when flying and can discreetly squeeze in any wallet or purse when it’s time to hit the bathroom on the plane.
- Hemorrhoid treatment spray offers an option for hands free care when you need to keep that area clean and may not have the chance to return to your room for long periods of time.
Medicated Wipes
There is no greater friend to traveling with hemorrhoids than the humble medicated wipe. Convenient for packing, a toilet paper stand-in should the pickings be slim and effective at both cleaning, healing and preventing future flare-ups, there’s little that medicated wipes can’t do for hemorrhoid sufferers. The optimal medicated wipe should be alcohol-free and free of chemical stabilizers known to cause allergic reactions, eczema and other secondary conditions. Doctor Butler’s wipes use a plant-derived cloth to deliver active natural ingredients and essential natural extracts for dermatologically tested relief from discomfort, itching and burning.
Hemorrhoid Pillow
While many think of a hemorrhoid pillow as the classic donut shape, this is actually misinformation that can lead your symptoms to worsen. The best hemorrhoid pillows are designed to promote correct posture and move pressure off the perineum, while the central hole of a donut pillow concentrates pressure on to this very region. The ergonomic design of a hemorrhoid pillow is a perfect way to prevent and relieve symptoms while driving with hemorrhoids or flying with hemorrhoids. Doctor Butler’s memory foam seat cushion even has pockets to insert two included gel packs for the added relief of hot/cold therapy.
Comfortable cushion
The cushion is comfortable. I use it on my office chair.
Verified ReviewerTravel Tips for the Journey
Not only are tips for packing important, but there are plenty of ways to make traveling with hemorrhoids a breeze once you’re off on your journey. While it may seem like a pain to bear in mind, the right habits can help keep your symptoms at bay and ensure you’re not left behind from all the fun. Keep these travel tips on deck when you arrive and don’t miss another moment due to preventable flare-ups or discomfort.
Wear Comfortable Clothing
Luckily, it seems to be the trend these days to wear clothes that are loose and comfortable while traveling. This is great news for those suffering from hemorrhoids, as baggier clothing in breathable fabrics (i.e. non-synthetic options such as cotton, silk and linen) does wonders for healing. While synthetic undergarments or outerwear may seem tempting to combat sweat in travel situations that can be hot and sticky, these materials can actually cause moisture to build-up in the sensitive area between your buttocks. Tight clothing can increase the pressure placed on a hemorrhoid, exacerbating symptoms. Save the skinnies for when you really need to impress and keep your everyday wear easy, breezy and pain free.
Bring High Fiber Snacks
Not only does packing snacks for your trip save money and stave off some serious hanger-fueled arguments, it can be a key solution to traveling with hemorrhoids. There is strong correlation between diet and hemorrhoid flare-ups, and fiber-rich snacks like nuts, dried fruits and whole grain crackers are essential to maintaining the regular bowel movements that minimize symptoms. Packing fiber-rich snacks also helps you avoid the heavily processed snack options typically found in airplane travel, rest stops and vending machines, which are known for causing constipation that results in hemorrhoids.
Remember to Stay Hydrated
A key tip for any travel experience is the need to stay hydrated. Access to drinking options may be sparse, or maybe your spouse just gets annoyed when you ask to make a pit stop! Whatever the reason, it’s common on trips to neglect the amount of liquids you are intaking. What’s more, increased consumption of alcohol and coffee on trips can effectively dehydrate us even further. Staying properly hydrated is essential in preventing constipation and keeping your bowel movements consistent and smooth, so prioritizing how much you drink should be a main concern for those traveling with hemorrhoids. Carrying a water bottle is a great way to stay on top of your hydration.
Consider Your Mode of Transport
How you travel might have as much of an effect on hemorrhoids as your destination. Can a long car ride cause hemorrhoids? Yes, just as much as a plane, train, bike or motorcycle! It’s not the mode of transportation that will exacerbate symptoms, but the preventative measures you (or do not) employ while in transit. Using a hemorrhoid pillow in a car, choosing the aisle seat on a train or plane to allow for leg extension and increased mobility and installing properly padded seats on bicycles or motorcycles can help put the brakes on hemorrhoids from driving and beyond.
Take Breaks to Stand and Stretch
Just as you might set an alarm to remind yourself to take a certain medication, committing to this same approach for your hemorrhoids can be a big help while traveling. Taking regular breaks for standing, stretching and walking when you are able gives your blood circulation less opportunity to slow down and cause swelling. Getting out of your seat also reduces the pressure being placed on your rectum. Even in a plane or bus scenario, where leaving your seat isn’t always an option, sitting up straight and taking deep breaths can alleviate pressure on your pelvis and promote relaxation. Breathe deeply into your abdomen and feel your belly expanding, exhaling by pulling your navel in towards your spine.
Seeking Medical Advice Before Travel
As with any medical condition, your doctor can advise you on the travel tips that will work best for your individual hemorrhoid needs. For those simply worried about a flare-up while away, ensuring you have a thorough prevention plan and optional treatments with you should suffice. Traveling with hemorrhoids that are causing significant symptoms or have proven resistant to OTC treatments may cause your doctor to recommend prescription medications or medical procedures that should be considered before you depart. Hemorrhoids that are left untreated during travel are at risk for increased severity of symptoms, particularly bleeding, higher risk of infection and the potential for thrombosed or even prolapsed hemorrhoids.
Traveling With Hemorrhoids: Destination Considerations
Just as you would plan an itinerary for your trip, researching the local options for pharmacies and medical treatment can alleviate a lot of worry for those traveling with hemorrhoids. Knowing what is available at your destination and what may be helpful to bring with you will save you money and time and prevent a scenario in which you are helpless in tackling a flare-up or hemorrhoid issue until you return home.
Learning about local cuisine can help you prepare if you react poorly to specific spices or ingredients and wish to avoid certain foods while traveling. Hot or cold climates affect bodies in different ways, as does increased elevation. Factoring all this in before traveling with hemorrhoids can help you adjust to these unique challenges rather than facing them and feeling unprepared.
Ready to Take Off? Plan Ahead and Travel with Ease!
It’s time for your trip, and you’ve never been more ready for traveling with hemorrhoids. Set those cares aside knowing you are armed with tips for what to pack, what to wear and how to travel in ways that keep your behind happy for the good times ahead. Doctor Butler’s line of hemorrhoid products has you covered every step of the way, so all you have left to do is get out of town!