Does hemorrhoid cream work? A good cream can help you feel more comfortable, but it cannot make haemorrhoids disappear. Hemorrhoid creams are one of the most popular ways to care for the sore, itchy, irritated skin that comes with haemorrhoids, and the right one can make everyday life easier. Below we explain how hemorrhoid creams work, how to choose one and how to use it, and we say clearly when it is time to see a doctor.
In this article, we will talk about hemorrhoid creams, specifically about the following:
- Does hemorrhoid cream work?
- How does hemorrhoid cream work?
- How to choose the best hemorrhoid cream
- How to use hemorrhoid cream, and how often
- Can hemorrhoid cream cause irritation or burning?
- When to see a doctor
- What users think about our cream
- Frequently asked questions
Soothing cream with Horse Chestnut and Smoke Tree (Sumac) is one of our customers' favourite products.
Check out the natural cream for haemorrhoids here
Does hemorrhoid cream work?
The honest answer depends on what you expect from it. A cream is applied to the skin, so it works where it touches: on the outside, around the anus. It can help the area feel less sore, itchy or tight, and a gentle plant-based formula can leave the skin feeling calmer and softer. What no cream can do is shrink haemorrhoids for good or reach those that sit higher up inside the rectum.
Most people use a cream alongside a few habits that take the pressure off the area: more fibre and water, not straining, not sitting for long on the toilet, and keeping the area clean and dry. For the full picture of causes and symptoms, see Haemorrhoids: Everything You Need to Know.
How does hemorrhoid cream work?
Hemorrhoid creams work in different ways, depending on what they contain. Here are the main types:
- Numbing creams: some pharmacy products contain an ingredient such as lidocaine or benzocaine, which temporarily dulls the nerve endings so the area feels less sore.
- Antiseptic creams: some contain an ingredient such as chlorhexidine or benzalkonium chloride, which helps keep the skin clean.
- Steroid or medicated creams: ingredients such as hydrocortisone or diclofenac are medicines. Use them only as the pharmacist, the leaflet or your doctor advises, and not for longer than recommended.
- Plant-based cosmetic creams: care comes from plants such as Horse Chestnut and Smoke Tree (Sumac), which soothe and moisturise the delicate skin so that it feels more comfortable.
Our Remorrhoids cream belongs to the last group. It is a cosmetic, not a medicine, and its care comes from plant ingredients rather than numbing agents or steroids. It is rich in horse chestnut and smoke tree (sumac) and is made to soothe and moisturise the skin around haemorrhoids and varicose veins.
How to choose the best hemorrhoid cream?
When choosing a hemorrhoid cream, it is important to consider several factors, including:
- Severity of symptoms: mild, occasional soreness or itching is where a gentle cosmetic cream can make everyday life more comfortable. Severe pain, bleeding or symptoms that keep coming back need a pharmacist or a doctor, not simply a stronger cream.
- Type of haemorrhoids: most creams are made for external haemorrhoids, the ones you can feel around the anus. If you think yours are internal, ask a pharmacist or doctor what suits you.
- Ingredients: if your skin is easily irritated, check the label for strong fragrance, menthol or alcohol, and choose a gentle formula. Medicated creams, including those with steroids, are best used on a pharmacist’s or doctor’s advice. Steroid-free options exist, including cosmetic creams like ours.
If your symptoms are severe, or you are not sure what is causing them, speak to a pharmacist or your GP before choosing a cream.
How to use hemorrhoid cream, and how often?
Hemorrhoid creams are typically applied to the affected area two or three times a day. Always follow the instructions on the pack to avoid unwanted reactions. A simple routine looks like this:
A cream works best alongside simple daily habits. Which ones help, we explain in the article Home Remedies for Hemorrhoids.
Can hemorrhoid cream cause irritation or burning?
Side effects of hemorrhoid creams are not common, but irritation and burning are the ones people ask about most. They may include:
- Local irritation: a cream may cause mild irritation of the skin, such as redness, itching or burning, if an ingredient does not suit your skin.
- Allergic reactions: In rare cases, hemorrhoid creams may cause an allergic reaction. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, and difficulty breathing. If you notice any of these signs, stop using the cream and consult a doctor.
Should hemorrhoid cream burn? No. The skin around haemorrhoids is often already sore, so ingredients such as menthol, alcohol, strong fragrance or numbing agents can make it sting. A brief tingle can happen, but burning that lasts or gets worse is a sign to wash the cream off and stop using it. Testing a small amount first, as described above, helps you find out before you use more. If the redness or burning does not settle after you stop, speak to a pharmacist or doctor.
Check out the cream for haemorrhoids here
See the Varicose Veins RoutINA™ care set that includes the cream
When to see a doctor
A cream is for mild, everyday discomfort. See your GP or pharmacist if you notice any of the following:
- bleeding that is heavy, keeps coming back, or comes with dark or black stools
- severe or sudden pain, or a hard, very painful lump near the anus
- symptoms that have not eased after about a week of careful home care
- a change in your bowel habits that lasts, or unexplained weight loss
- fever, swelling or spreading redness, or signs of an allergic reaction such as a rash, swelling or difficulty breathing (stop the cream and seek help at once)
Bleeding is not always caused by haemorrhoids, so it should always be checked, especially if you are over 45 or it is new for you. More on what to expect in Haemorrhoids: Myths vs Facts.
What do our users think about our cream?
InaEssentials' cream for Varicose veins and Hemorrhoids - highly enriched with Smoke Tree and Horse Chestnut is one of our users' favourite products. Customers tell us they find it soothing and easy to apply.
Our cream is a cosmetic made from natural ingredients, with a high concentration of Horse Chestnut and Smoke Tree (Sumac). It is made to soothe and care for the skin around haemorrhoids, varicose veins and fine capillaries.
Here is what two verified buyers say:
“Started using it a few weeks ago find it very soothing”
“So soothing and really softening I love this product I will definitely be ordering this again. I actually think my veins in my legs felt a little less swollen!”
You can read more reviews on the product page for Soothing Cream with Horse Chestnut and Smoke Tree.
For fuller everyday care of the skin around haemorrhoids and varicose veins, take a look at Varicose Veins RoutINA™, a care set built around the cream.
Frequently asked questions
How long does haemorrhoid cream take to work?
It varies from person to person. Some people notice that a soothing cream makes the area feel more comfortable within a few uses, while others need a couple of weeks of regular care. A cosmetic cream is not a quick fix, and it does not replace medical advice: if your symptoms have not eased after a week, see your GP.
How often can you use haemorrhoid cream?
Most creams are used two or three times a day on clean, dry skin, for example after washing in the morning and in the evening. Always follow the instructions on the pack, and do not use a medicated cream for longer than the leaflet says.
Does hemorrhoid cream work on external haemorrhoids?
External haemorrhoids are the ones you can feel around the anus, and this is where a cream can reach. It can help the skin feel calmer and more comfortable. Internal haemorrhoids sit higher up, out of reach of a cream, so ask a pharmacist or doctor about them.
Do I need a prescription, and are there haemorrhoid creams without steroids?
Some strong creams, especially those with steroids, are only available on prescription or on a pharmacist’s advice, and are not meant for long use. Steroid-free options, including cosmetic creams like ours, are made for everyday comfort and skin care. Ask your pharmacist if you are unsure which is right for you.
Can I use hemorrhoid cream on my face for wrinkles or pimples?
No. A haemorrhoid cream is made for the delicate skin around the anus and is not designed for the face, so it will not smooth wrinkles or clear spots, and it may irritate facial skin. For lines around the eyes, see our guide to what an eye wrinkle cream should contain.
