In the United States alone, almost 10.5 million people suffer from hemorrhoids. Some cases are genetically passed down and some are more situational, but all of them are painful, embarrassing, and potentially devastating to one’s quality of daily life. Here are some ways to get rid of hemorrhoids when they flare up, and some things you can do to lengthen your time between attacks.

• The Drugstore Remedies.
  Hemorrhoids are not a new ailment (although the average age for hemorrhoidal onset is around 55, so they may be new to you), and topical creams, ointments, and salves have existed for centuries. While the results may vary, most of these hemorrhoid treatments rely on some combination of itch-suppressing medication (such as lidocaine or hydrocortisone) and vasoconstrictors (to shrink the affected blood vessels).
• The Natural Remedies. Many people find a more natural treatment for hemorrhoids to be a welcome alternative to pharmaceutical solutions. Astringents, such as witch hazel, perform the same role as vasoconstricting drugs, and a good old-fashioned warm bath can sooth the discomfort of a flare-up.
• Preventative Steps. Perhaps one of the best ways to get rid of hemorrhoids is to not get them at all. Preventative measures such as increasing your fiber intake, drinking more water, and minimizing your time on the toilet (i.e. leaving the reading material in the library) can go a long way towards postponing your next flare-up indefinitely.

There are not many ways to get rid of hemorrhoids permanently. Even surgical options may not do the trick if you have a genetic predisposition. Your best options are to know how to avoid flare-ups in the first place, and to know how to minimize their impact on your life, when and if they do happen.