Piles (haemorrhoids)

Piles (haemorrhoids) are lumps inside and around your bottom (anus). They often get better on their own after a few days. There are things you can do to treat and prevent piles.

Symptoms of piles

Symptoms of piles include:

• bright red blood after you poo

• an itchy anus

• feeling like you still need to poo after going to the toilet

• mucus in your underwear or on toilet paper after wiping your bottom

• lumps around your anus

• pain around your anus

How you can treat or prevent piles

Do

• gently push a pile back inside if you can

• take paracetamol if piles hurt

• use an ice pack wrapped in a towel to ease discomfort

• drink lots of fluid and eat plenty of fibre to keep your poo soft

• take a warm bath to ease itching and pain

• keep your bottom clean and dry – pat (rather than rub) it dry

• cut down on alcohol and caffeine (like tea, coffee and cola) to avoid constipation

Don’t

• do not ignore the urge to poo

• do not push too hard when pooing

• do not take painkillers that contain codeine, as they can cause constipation

• do not take ibuprofen if your piles are bleeding

• do not spend more time than you need to on the toilet

Ask a pharmacist about treatment for piles

A pharmacist can suggest:

• creams to ease the pain, itching and swelling

• treatment – such as laxatives – to help constipation and soften poo

• cold packs to ease discomfort

Many pharmacies have private areas if you do not want to be overheard.

Please register with PharmaDoctor using the link after booking

https://pharmadoctor.co.uk/patient/location-referrer/11514/68