hemrrhoids and arnica?

Body: 

Has anyone ever used arnica topically on hemorrhoids. Mine are not bad. I was using typical hemorrhoid cream from the drug store but realized that it was numbing the area. Since I already have little sensation and control of of the anal muscles, I was finding that it was making things worse (even less sensation and control).

I'd always rather go the natural route and since hemorrhoids are inflammation of the skin, I thought I'd dab some arnica on there. It feels more natural than the hemorrhoid cream and more convenient than sitz baths… They seem to be better today since I started mid-day yesterday with it. I am passing gas more easily, seems to be less visible puffiness in and around the anus. I am feeling less puffiness in and around the anus when I am sitting too. It could be a placebo effect, not sure.

Anyone had any success with it or other treatments? I'm new to the hemorrhoid issue. I've eliminated all straining until they get better. Never have strained on the loo, I don't thing that I'd know how! I might as well be on the birthing table with full spinal block, which probably helped to start all of this!

SafelyHeld and Activeandlapsed, It could be that I've relaxed into the hinge and tried to actually use my glutes and leg muscles like Christine says (and both of you) and let everything else settle into place. It could also be that I met my girlfriend out for a healthy dinner and a glass of wine at my favorite local restaurant last night, too, and we didn't talk about POP! I did, however, have to explain to the sister of the bartender (who's my friend) about plantar fasciitis… I'm like the dentist who everyone wants to show their teeth and get a consult! LOL! -

Sierra

Hi Sierra,
I was struggling with haemorrhoids a lot for about three months after this baby and now at nearly six months pp they are rarely a problem. I figured out that tomatoes were triggering them to flare up and have had to cut them out for the time being...sad but true. Anyway maybe play around with your diet to see if something is causing the flare ups? Nightshade family veg are notorious for being irritants.
Also - earth mamma bottom balm (all natural) is amazing. Google and you'll see great reviews. I ditched all the pharmacy stuff super quick after I started using it.

Miss Diagnosed, You are the BEST. I am on an Auto-Immune Paleo (AIP) diet for my Hashimotos…NO NIGHTSHADES. I know that I've had tomatoes recently! I had been really strict and doing extremely well on it for almost a year. You can try to add things back in to see if they are okay. I had allowed a few things periodically but don't really track it. I had gotten a little lax recently with POP. I've been eating free-range eggs in the morning too. I'll take your advise and go back to strict AIP and see if they settle. Thanks so much! I never would have thought diet which is silly of me. Am googling the balm too! - Sierra

Hey no worries glad I could help! I read the threads on POP being an inflammatory condition and figure there are all round benefits in cutting out certain things - at least for me. Couple of weeks ago I had a pepper soup for lunch and an aubergine curry for dinner...the next day was not a good one....

So I racked my brain last night to try to figure out what I could do differently or have done differently recently which is when I realized that on Saturday and Sunday night, I took a 24 hour allegra. This was great for my allergies (yellow pollen on EVERYTHING right now) but I am guessing left me needing more water than usual. Perhaps this did not help….lesson learned. I was just wanted to avoid sneezing and coughing (worried about undoing all of my hard work). Didn't take any allergy meds last night and am doing a little better today with the constipation. Will drink plenty of water and NOT take any more meds.