Hemorrhoid ointments: an overview of inexpensive and effective remedies
The content of the article:
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What are the ointments for hemorrhoids
- Anticoagulants
- Hemostatics
- Venotonic
- Anti-inflammatory ointments
- Ointments with immunomodulatory properties
- Ointments with herbal extracts
- Polyfunctional ointments
- How to apply antihemorrhoidal ointments correctly
- Use of ointments for hemorrhoids during pregnancy
Hemorrhoid ointments are inexpensive and effective remedies that are applied directly to hemorrhoids. They relieve inflammation, eliminate itching, burning, pain, and stop bleeding.
Unlike means for systemic therapy (in the form of tablets, injections), preparations for topical use (suppositories, ointment, cream) do not have a negative effect on the digestive tract and the entire body as a whole.
The advantage of using the ointment during the treatment of hemorrhoids is the absence of systemic effects on the body.
Ointments are prescribed for women suffering from hemorrhoids during lactation. This is due to the fact that when breastfeeding, drugs taken by mouth also enter the baby's body. Ointments are almost completely devoid of this drawback. The amount of active ingredient that can penetrate the skin and mucous membranes into the blood is insignificant and unable to have any effect. An exception can only be cases of individual intolerance, which are rare.
An important advantage of ointments is that they can be easily used by patients at home.
The list of creams and ointments with antihemorrhoidal action is quite long. All of these drugs are available over the counter without a prescription. However, when choosing them, one should not be guided by ratings or reviews from the Internet, any, even the best ointments for hemorrhoids, despite the names known from advertising, should be purchased only by doctor's prescription. This requirement is explained by the fact that each drug, including local use, has its own clearly defined indications and contraindications. For example, one ointment is indicated for resorption of hemorrhoidal cones, and another for relieving inflammation. Some ointments stop bleeding, while others, on the contrary, are able to increase it by improving the blood supply to the tissues. There are ointments that are effective in adults, but are contraindicated for children.
What are the ointments for hemorrhoids
Depending on the main active ingredient that is part of antihemorrhoidal ointments, they are divided into several main groups.
Anticoagulants
These ointments contain a substance that reduces blood clotting and thereby prevents the formation of clots (blood clots) - heparin. This group includes heparin and hepatothrombin ointments. Since they can increase bleeding, their use after surgery to remove hemorrhoids, as well as with bleeding bumps, is contraindicated. They are also contraindicated in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Heparin ointment improves blood circulation in the hemorrhoidal veins
Another representative of this group is Geparoid Zentiva ointment. The anticoagulant component in it is a synthetic analogue of heparin - heparinoid. In rare cases, the drug can cause an allergic reaction.
Hemostatics
Unlike anticoagulants, ointments with hemostatics, on the contrary, activate the blood coagulation system. The indications for their use are bleeding cones. The most famous representative of this group is the Relief external hemorrhoid ointment. Its main active components:
- shark liver oil - hemostatic, anti-inflammatory, wound healing and immunostimulating effect;
- phenylephrine is a pronounced local vasoconstrictor effect.
This hemorrhoid ointment for men and women is widely used in clinical practice. Contraindications to its use are:
- thrombosis of hemorrhoids;
- granulocytopenia;
- individual intolerance to the components.
Relief Advance also belongs to ointments with a hemostatic effect. It contains shark liver oil and benzocaine, a local anesthetic. It not only stops bleeding and has a wound healing effect, but also relieves pain well. Indicated for use in external and internal hemorrhoids. In addition, it is quite effective against anal fissure. Contraindications are the same as for Relief ointment.
Venotonic
Ointments-venotonics help to strengthen the venous walls and increase their tone, reduce swelling of the rectal mucosa, and enhance regenerative processes. This group includes Troxevasin and Procto-Glivenol. Their use is contraindicated in the following cases:
- individual intolerance;
- first trimester of pregnancy.
Procto-Glivenol ointment eliminates inflammatory tissue edema and promotes tissue regeneration
Anti-inflammatory ointments
Anti-inflammatory ointments suppress inflammation, relieve tissue edema, and eliminate itching. The main active ingredient is corticosteroids, powerful anti-inflammatory substances of hormonal origin. The list of these ointments is extensive, these are Proctosedil, Ultraproct, Aurobin and many others.
Aurobin, in addition to a corticosteroid, includes a local anesthetic (lidocaine) and dexpanthenol, which enhances soft tissue regeneration.
The hormonal component that is part of the Ultraproct ointment quickly suppresses inflammation, eliminates anal itching, and the intensity of pain is eliminated by another component - cinhocaine.
Doloprokt ointment is indicated for the treatment of advanced forms of hemorrhoids, it is used for prolapse of nodes, thrombosis of hemorrhoidal veins.
Proctosedil has a well-balanced composition, which provides a quick therapeutic effect. Main active ingredients:
- corticostoids - suppress the activity of inflammation, eliminate itching and burning;
- framycetin is an antibiotic that destroys pathogenic bacteria;
- heparin - an anticoagulant, reduces the risk of thrombosis of hemorrhoids, improves blood circulation;
- esculoside - a venotonic of plant origin;
- benzocaine is a local anesthetic that relieves itching and pain.
Proctosan ointment also has a complex effect. Its medicinal properties are associated with the following components:
- bufexamak is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent that helps to reduce inflammation and eliminate pain;
- bismuth compounds - form a protective film on the mucous membrane, preventing their seeding by pathogenic microbial flora;
- titanium compounds - contribute to drying damaged surfaces, accelerating their epithelialization;
- lidocaine is a local anesthetic that relieves pain and itching.
Proctosan ointment has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect
Contraindications for anti-inflammatory ointments are:
- first trimester of pregnancy;
- herpes, tuberculosis or syphilis of the anorectal region;
- individual intolerance to the components;
- lactation.
Ointments containing corticosteroids should be used in short courses. With prolonged therapy, the risk of side effects (increased itching, dryness and atrophy of the mucous membrane) increases.
Ointments with immunomodulatory properties
These ointments contain drugs that enhance local immunity. As a result of their application, the tissues of the anorectal region become more resistant to the effects of various negative internal and external factors.
The most effective antihemorrhoidal ointment with pronounced immunomodulatory properties is Posterisan. Its therapeutic effect is due to the action of inactivated particles of a certain strain of E. coli. The ointment quickly relieves inflammation and pain, promotes the early healing of mucosal damage. The only contraindication to its use is individual intolerance to the components.
Ointments with herbal extracts
These ointments include herbal extracts. The most famous representatives of this group are Fleming's ointment, Aesculus and Bezornil. Fleming's ointment contains:
- extract of calendula and witch hazel - have a good disinfecting and wound healing effect;
- menthol is a local irritant and distracting agent that helps relieve itching and burning;
- zinc compounds - dry the wound surfaces, thereby creating optimal conditions for epithelialization;
- horse chestnut extract - venotonic, which increases the tone of the venous walls and reduces their permeability.
As an independent remedy, Fleming's ointment can only be used for uncomplicated hemorrhoids.
Bezornil ointment contains natural substances
The composition of Bezornil ointment includes:
- pearl - has an analgesic effect, reduces itching and burning;
- borneol - a natural antiseptic, inhibits the growth of pathogenic microflora and promotes the early healing of mucosal damage;
- musk - provides an anti-inflammatory effect;
- amber - enhance regenerative processes;
- zinc compounds - dry mucous membranes, which is especially important for weeping hemorrhoids.
Aesculus ointment contains horse chestnut extract. Usually it is used only as a component of complex therapy for hemorrhoids. In rare cases, in the early stages of uncomplicated disease, it is prescribed as the main drug.
The only contraindication for ointments with herbal extracts is their individual intolerance. They can be used after consultation with a doctor even by pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as in pediatric practice.
Polyfunctional ointments
Polyfunctional or multicomponent ointments provide several effects at the same time, for example, antibacterial, disinfectant, anti-inflammatory and wound healing. The drugs in this group include Levomekol, Ichthyol ointment and Vishnevsky's liniment.
Levomekol - has been popular among patients with hemorrhoids for many years. The therapeutic effect is due to the action of chloramphenicol (antibacterial component) and methyluracil (wound-healing, immunomodulating component).
Vishnevsky's liniment includes birch tar, castor oil, xeroform. Has a drying, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and regenerative effect. Virtually no side effects. The disadvantage is a pungent and even unpleasant odor.
Liniment Vishnevsky is an effective and inexpensive remedy, practically devoid of side effects
Ichthyol ointment is used to treat external hemorrhoids complicated by the addition of a bacterial infection. Its active ingredient is ichthyol, a shale distillation product.
The proposed typification of antihemorrhoidal ointments is rather arbitrary. This is due to the fact that most of them include several active components at once, acting on different manifestations of the disease. Therefore, the proctologist should select the drug after the examination and the necessary examination.
How to apply antihemorrhoidal ointments correctly
For local treatment of hemorrhoids to be as effective as possible, you need to know not only how to smear the bumps, but also how to do it correctly. First of all, you should conduct a thorough toilet of the anorectal area. After washing, the perineum is dried with a soft towel, blotting, not rubbing. For external hemorrhoids or anal fissure, the required amount of ointment is applied to a clean gauze pad or cotton pad, and then applied to the anus.
With internal hemorrhoids, it becomes necessary to inject the ointment into the rectum. The most convenient way to do this is with the help of special applicators, you can also apply the ointment to a cotton swab and place it in the anus. Schematic photos make it easy to understand this process.
For internal hemorrhoids, the ointment is conveniently applied using an applicator
Use of ointments for hemorrhoids during pregnancy
Many women suffer from hemorrhoids during pregnancy. However, the possibility of using drugs, including antihemorrhoids, during this period is limited, especially in the first trimester due to the danger of embryotoxic and teratogenic effects. In this case, preference is always given to local rather than systemic therapy.
The following ointments are safest for pregnant and breastfeeding women:
- Troxevasin;
- Posterized;
- Fleming's ointment;
- Levomekol;
- Bezornil;
- Ichthyol ointment.
Despite the extremely low toxicity and safety, their use must also be agreed with the attending physician.
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Elena Minkina Doctor anesthesiologist-resuscitator About the author
Education: graduated from the Tashkent State Medical Institute, specializing in general medicine in 1991. Repeatedly passed refresher courses.
Work experience: anesthesiologist-resuscitator of the city maternity complex, resuscitator of the hemodialysis department.
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