Basic Hemorrhoidal Skin Care

• Dry toilet paper does not get you really clean and if your skin is at all damaged, it will make the anal area difficult to heal and make irritation worse.
• After a bowel movement, you may use some dry paper to start with, but always finish cleaning with something wet.
• Acceptable cleaning methods include:
  • Showers and bidets
  • Flushable and non-flushable baby wipes
  • Strong 3-ply toilet paper made wet in the sink
• Remember: tribal societies cannot afford toilet paper, they wash after bowel movements, and hardly ever get hemorrhoid problems!
• If the skin has been itchy and irritated…
  After washing, apply a thin coating of a barrier solution. Most creams and ointments rub off in a short time and fail to protect the skin for long. A zinc oxide based ointment like Calmoseptine or Desitin stays on all day and works better than most of the usual hemorrhoid products in the drug store.
• Chronic itching and irritation symptoms that persist despite good skin care usually means there is an underlying problem, so make an appointment to see me if this is you!