Hemorrhoids can develop internally, externally, or both in extreme cases. Some hemorrhoids remain unnoticed and go away on their own. While some hemorrhoid bumps can go from being unnoticeable to causing excruciating pain and discomfort. Untreated and neglected hemorrhoids can get infected and become life-threatening for people of all ages.
Coping with hemorrhoids is challenging enough for an adult, let alone a child. This makes immediate treatment necessary. If left ignored, hemorrhoids on kids can often bleed, causing dizziness and severe weakness.
Hemorrhoids in children can sometimes take more time to treat than in adults. This delay is caused because, unlike adults, children may find it hard to restrict their movements and walk, sit or sleep in a certain way when under treatment for hemorrhoids.
However, medical science’s efforts and contribution to hemorrhoid treatment in children are very reassuring. These treatment methods are designed to be child-friendly and pose no threat of severe side effects.
Continue reading below to learn about the eight medically safe and easy hemorrhoid treatments in children.
1. Designing a More Natural Diet Plan
It is often difficult for a parent to control a child from snacking on junk and processed food. However, if the child is suffering from hemorrhoids, changing their diet becomes critical.
Foods like ice creams, crisps, cheese, pizza, etc., contain a lot of sodium and dairy content, both of which can trigger a hemorrhoid flare-up. Such foods can cause a child’s stool to get hard and stiff. When children try to delay going to the toilet because of stiff stools, they continue to accumulate. As a result, the child can get constipated, and the hemorrhoids might flare up.
Moreover, such snacks can cause gas to build up in the child’s stomach. The bloating and gas put pressure on the rectum and anus, causing hemorrhoids to hurt and bleed.
Furthermore, sodium causes water to get stored in the skin and muscle tissue. With less water available, the stools get dehydrated and become hard and dry. This dehydration also thins out the lubricating inner lining of the gut. As a result, the child gets constipated, and the hemorrhoids get damaged.
Ensuring the child eats leafy greens and root vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and fresh fruits can avoid this from happening. Such natural foods help the stool bulk up and remain hydrated. As a result, the hemorrhoids do not get triggered when soft stools pass and healing continues.
2. Soaking the Bottom in a Water Bath
Hemorrhoid bumps can become hard when swollen up. These stiff bumps affect the smooth passing of stools and make sitting and walking painful for the child.
One highly effective, manageable, and child-friendly treatment is preparing a warm water bath. Soaking the child’s bottom in warm water for ten to fifteen minutes, at least three to five times a day helps soften up the hard hemorrhoid bumps. The warm water also helps soothe irritation and itching.
For a more effective treatment, mix witch hazel into the warm water. Witch hazel acts as an excellent numbing agent, providing pain relief.
3. Cold Compress
Pressing an ice-pack or a cold compress to the child’s hemorrhoids can help reduce inflammation and relieve the itching.
Moreover, the cold compress’s low temperature stimulates warm blood to rush to the hemorrhoids, promoting faster healing. Furthermore, the cold compress helps numb hemorrhoids, decreasing the pain.
4. Aloe-Vera Gel
Aloe vera gel has been used for treating and healing open wounds for centuries. An aloe vera plant’s pulp or gel can be an excellent organic ointment for healing hemorrhoids. All you need to do is scoop out the gel from an aloe vera strand and apply it directly to the child’s hemorrhoid.
You can also inject a water-aloe vera solution inside the child’s rectum if they have internal hemorrhoids.
5. Cleaning Wipes
Since the hemorrhoids exist between the buttocks, chances of infection are high. When a hemorrhoid wound bleeds or gets opened, the risk of infection increases. At times, infected hemorrhoids can become fatal for the child.
Hence, ensuring the child’s hygiene is essential for treating hemorrhoids safely. If the child is too young, the parents should clean the sire themselves. Using gentle cleaning wipes can help ensure the bottom’s hygiene and reduce itchiness.
6. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has natural healing properties, making it great for treating hemorrhoids.
If the child is constipated, hemorrhoids can get triggered. To prevent this, insert a coconut oil suppository or inject raw coconut oil directly into the child’s rectum. Not only does this help lubricate the stool, but it also covers hemorrhoids, protecting it from getting infected.
7. Safe Medication
With the ever-ongoing research on hemorrhoid prevention and cure, many safe medications are available in nearly all pharmacies.
Giving the child oral medication can help fight infections and provide pain relief. The oral medications also boost a child’s immunity, speeding up the hemorrhoid healing process.
Ointments and cream containing hydrocortisone for external application can help reduce swelling and treat the child’s hemorrhoids.
8. Controlled and Safe Daily Activities
The way we walk, sit, or sleep can affect the child’s hemorrhoid’s healing process. The child must refrain from excessive physical movements that could cause friction or sweating.
Moreover, making the child sit on a hemorrhoid cushion can ensure there is no excessive pressure being exerted on the hemorrhoids, and remain dry.
Furthermore, ensuring that the child does not sleep on their back can help rest hemorrhoids and promote healing.
Help Your Child!
Hemorrhoids can affect your child’s happiness mental health and can put your child’s life in danger. Hence, being hands-on with the child’s treatment is critical.
With the proper diet, safe treatment, and controlled movement, the child’s hemorrhoids can get treated safely and healthily.
For more information regarding hemorrhoid relief and recovery, click here.