I've suffered from hemroids for about 6 years now, since the birth of my last child. Here's some tips I've picked up through the years for dealing with them - both minimizing hemroids and lessening the discomfort associated with them.

First, there are several ways you can change your habits and activities that will help reduce your hemroids. Number 1 is NEVER strain when your trying to poop. Also, if you're not able to go fairly quickly, get off the toilet. Don't site there for a long time, the position over the bowl can lead to muscle strain which can, in turn, enflame your hemroids.

You can also change the way you eat - if you notice certain foods make your hemroids worse, stop eating them! I know it sounds like common sense, but it works. Some common foods to look out for are caffinated beverages, nuts and spicy foods.

There are over the counter medications one can purchase to help treat enflamed or painful hemroids. When looking for a hemroid treatment product, you want something that will keep the area lubricated so that it's not chaffed and irritated further. Zinc oxide can help with this. You may also look into a pain relieving topical spray as well. Witch hazel has been effective at for me as well. All these are available from the local drug store.

It's REALLY important to never rub your hemroids when you're wiping. You should gently pat the anal area clean instead. Baby wipes (unscented) are good for this and gentle on your already painful skin.

For a really bad, painful flare up, try applying ice to the area for about 10 minutes. Next, follow up with another 20 minutes of moist heat, like a rag dipped in warm water. Once you're done, be sure to pat the area dry and apply a cream like zinc oxide as described above.

If you follow this regimen when treating your hemroids, you may still have an episode now and again. but your flare ups will likely be greatly reduced, as mine have been. When you do have one, I've found that treating as above has provided great relief and much faster healing times then without.