Hemorrhoids ice packs is a great home remedy that can help give instant relief to the symptoms of hemorrhoids. Many doctors recommend using ice packs on the anal area as this will help especially with external hemorrhoids. The ice packs can help to reduce bleeding, swelling and pain which are the most common symptoms of hemorrhoids. The ice packs can be made at home or you can use ready to use ice packs.
WHAT ARE HEMORRHOIDS
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins that develop in the rectum or anus, it is also known as pile. These swollen veins can develop in the rectum or under the skin around the anus. The hemorrhoids inside the rectum are known as internal hemorrhoids while the ones that develop outside are known as external hemorrhoids. This condition is so common that nearly 3 out of 4 adults have had the experience.
Causes of hemorrhoids can be chronic constipation, pregnancy, family history of the disease, overweight, straining during bowel movement and sitting down for a long time. The symptoms are bleeding, swelling around the anal area, itching and irritation, inflammation and pain.
There are many ways of relieving the symptoms of hemorrhoids and treating them as well. One of them is using ice packs.
Hemorrhoids Ice Packs
Using ice packs to relieve and treat hemorrhoids is a safe treatment method that helps to numb the nerve endings and vascular cells in the anus. This helps to stop the itching and burning sensation that are most common in hemorrhoid patient. The ice packs can also stop the hemorrhoids from bleeding and shrink the swollen veins. This method of treatment is known as cryotherapy.
Cryotherapy is a medical technique that is used by doctors to freeze and remove abnormal tissues by using extreme cold. This method is also recommended to patients to treat conditions like warts, skin tags and hemorrhoids. Using cryotherapy to treat hemorrhoids will not only shrink the tissues and swollen veins but will also relieve the pain and bleeding.
HOW DOES ICE PACKS FOR HEMORRHOIDS WORK
Hemorrhoids have swollen veins, so using ice packs on these veins reduces how blood flows to these veins. The decrease in blood flow will gradually reduce the swelling. The icing also shrinks the external hemorrhoids and stop the bleeding.
Using the ice packs regularly for 1 to 3 days will decrease the swelling to a significant size. However, the size of the hemorrhoid will determine how long it will take to see results and how long you need to use the packs on the hemorrhoids.
BENEFITS OF ICE PACKS FOR HEMORRHOIDS
Doctors even recommend that people with hemorrhoids use ice packs to relieve the pain, bleeding, itching and irritation caused by the disease. This means that the technique is very safe. Ice packs on hemorrhoids can do the following:
- Reduce the bleeding from the hemorrhoids.
- Reduce the swelling significantly by stopping blood flow.
- Numb the anal area thereby easing pain.
- Reduce inflammation caused by the swollen veins.
- Cause the veins to contract and relieving the symptoms of hemorrhoids.
- Shrink swollen hemorrhoids.
- Reduce itching.
HOW TO MAKE AN ICE PACK FOR HEMORRHOIDS AT HOME
Making an ice pack is very easy, it does not need anything else apart from water. You can boil water and store in your freezer to make ice cubes or you buy ice cubes from grocery stores.
To make an ice pack:
- Grab few cubes of ice from your freezer
- Crush them into small pieces but they should not be too small.
- Get a clean cotton cloth, pour in the crushed ice cubes inside the cloth. Your ice pack is ready.
READY-TO-USE ICE PACKS
If you are not chanced to make your ice pack yourself, you can get ice packs that are already made. These ready-to-use ice packs comes in a gel form and are stored in freezer till you are ready to use them. They come in packs are are safe to use.
Ready-to-use ice packs comes with a thin layer of fabric that helps to prevent the frost from damaging the skin. The angles have soft edges that will prevent you from being bruised or scraped.
Another benefit of the ready-to-use ice packs is that you can place then in your undies and even use them while sitting down. It is also easy to clean, you just have to wash the gel with soap and water before placing back in the freezer. The gel must be in the freezer when it is not in use.
HOW TO USE ICE PACKS FOR HEMORRHOIDS
Using the ice packs for hemorrhoids is not difficult. For ready-to-use ice pack, place the pack on a flat surface and sit on it. You can also put it in your underwear while you continue your daily activities. It will not soil your clothes.
For homemade ice packs, be sure to crush the ice cubes into small bits before wrapping in a cotton cloth. This will make easier for you to be able to sit on the pack. Sit down or lie down, then place the pack on the affected area for relief.
If you frequently have hemorrhoids, you should consider using the ready-to-use ice packs. This is because they are easy to use, ready to be used anytime and can be used while doing other activities. You would not want to be looking for a place to sit and place ice cubes on your anus. Also, you should wear light, breathable underwear when you are using ready-to-use ice packs. The breathable fabric will allow the cold to pass through easily.
HOW OFTEN CAN YOU USE ICE PACKS TO RELIEVE HEMORRHOID SYMPTOMS
There is no limit as to how often you should use the ice packs. You can keep using them till you get relief from the symptoms of hemorrhoids. The technique is safe and has no effect on the health. You can use the ice pack as often as 4 times a day provided you give breaks or interval between each time.
However, you should make sure that the ice does not come in contact with the hemorrhoids. This is why you should use cotton cloth to cover the ice, this is also the reason why manufacturers of ready-to-use ice packs use a thin fabric to cover the ice gel. You can buy two gels, use one to get relief and keep the other in the freezer. When you have washed the used one, you use the previous one in the freezer.
SIDE EFFECTS OF USING ICE PACKS FOR HEMORRHOIDS
There are no serious side effects of using ice packs for hemorrhoids. The only side effect is that placing the ice on the body for a long period of time can cause irritation and extra numbness in other places. You should not place the ice packs for more than 20 minutes at a time. You can place the pack for few minutes, remove it and allow the skin to rejuvenate before reapplying the ice pack.
Also, applying the ice directly on the skin without any form of shield can cause ice burn and pain. This is why it is advised to use cotton cloth for homemade ice packs. Manufacturers of ready-to-use ice packs understood this side effect which is why they used a thin layer of fabric to cover the ice gel.
WHICH IS BETTER FOR HEMORRHOIDS: HEAT OR ICE PACK
Both heat pad and ice pack are effective in providing relieve to symptoms of hemorrhoids. However, using heat regularly for 2 weeks has shown more relief than using ice packs.
Heat pad helps the anal muscles to loosen up, this helps to reduce internal pressure on the anus. It is also effective in healing hemorrhoids and other injured surrounding tissues. Heat pad can also improve blood flow to the anal area.
Ice packs on the other hand, numbs the affected area and reduce pain. It reduces bleeding and shrinks the hemorrhoids. It can also help prevent inflammation and itching.
Both of them are very effective, you can go for anyone. If you can combine both to get maximum results, it is also advised.
ALTERNATIVE HOME REMEDIES FOR HEMORRHOIDS
There are other home remedies you can use to relieve hemorrhoids. Some of them are:
i. Sitz Bath: This is also a warm compress. You soak your anal area in warm water for few minutes. You can add espom salt or essential oils for faster relief. To have a sitz bath, you can use a large bowl or tub.
ii. Witch hazel: This is a natural astringent that can help provide relief for itching, pain, inflammation, hemorrhoids and minor injuries. It is a topical cream with anti-inflammatory properties. You can apply it on your anal area.
iii. Hot Compress: You can either use a heating pad or pour hot water in a bottle and cover with a light cotton cloth. Placing this on your anal area can help reduce pain, irritation and itching.
CONCLUSION
Ice packs are very effective in relieving the symptoms of hemorrhoids. It is easy to use and can be made at home if you do not have access to the ready-to-use ice packs. They can shrink the hemorrhoids and numb the area while reducing pain. There are no side effects of this technique and can be done anytime and as often as you get relief.