Piles, or haemorrhoids, are swollen blood vessels contained in swellings, and are found around or inside the anus, the NHS said.
Symptoms can include bleeding after passing a stool, having a lump hanging outside of your anus, or having a mucus discharge after passing a stool.
Piles aren’t usually painful, unless their blood supply slows down.
You could treat your haemorrhoids with these easy-to-use remedies.
Cold compress
Ice packs may help to relieve some of the symptoms of haemorrhoids.
The condition can cause an itchiness around the anus, but the cold compress may help to relieve it.
“Apply ice packs or cold compresses to the anus to relieve swelling for 15 minutes at a time,” said medical website Healthline.
“For large, painful haemorrhoids, this can be an extremely effective treatment. Always wrap ice inside a cloth or paper towel, and never apply something frozen directly to the skin.”
Supplements
Some stool softeners or supplements may help to treat your piles.
Fibre supplements could help by softening your stool, relieving some of the symptoms and preventing haemorrhoids.
“Stool softeners or fibre supplements like psyllium can help reduce constipation, make stool softer, and make it easier to have quick, painless bowel movements,” said Healthline.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera gel could be used to treat piles.
The gel has anti-inflammatory properties that are effective at treating inflammatory skin conditions, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
“The anti-inflammatory properties of aloe vera may help soothe inflammation of haemorrhoids,” it said.
“It has shown some benefit for other inflammatory skin conditions.”
Wet wipes
Using toilet paper after a bowel movement could aggravate your piles.
You could prevent further irritation by switching to wet wipes.
“For an added boost, you can find wipes with soothing, anti-haemorrhoid ingredients like witch hazel or aloe vera.”
Warm bath
A simple, warm bath could help to reduce haemorrhoid symptoms.
A sitz bath – a warm water bath for the buttocks and hips – could relieve itching, irritation and spasms of the sphincter muscle, said Harvard Medical School.
“Most experts recommend a 20-minute sitz bath after each bowel movement and two or three times a day in addition. Take care to gently pat the anal area dry afterward; do not rub or wipe hard. You can also use a hair dryer to dry the area.