Epsom Salt for Hemorrhoids

If you’re one of the millions of Americans who suffer from hemorrhoids, you may be wondering if Epsom salt can provide relief. Here’s what you need to know about using Epsom salt for hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoids, commonly known as piles, are swollen, inflammatory veins that can be found in the lower rectum or around the anus. Around the anus, external hemorrhoids develop beneath the skin. Internal hemorrhoids develop in the lower rectum and anus lining.

The type of hemorrhoid will determine the symptoms. Anal itching is one of the symptoms of an external hemorrhage. Rectal bleeding is one of the symptoms of internal hemorrhoids. The area around your anus may be swollen. You may feel pain or discomfort, especially when sitting down. In more severe cases, the hemorrhoids may prolapse, or bulge, through the anus. Painless bleeding and red blood outside of the stools are the two most typical symptoms of hemorrhoids.

The causes of hemorrhoids include a low-fiber diet, constipation, aging, straining during a bowel movement, pregnancy, or obesity.

Hemorrhoids can be removed with a surgical procedure. However, there are other several methods of naturally treating hemorrhoids. This article covers the uses of Epsom salt for hemorrhoids.

What is Epsom salt?

Epsom salt is a type of salt that is rich in magnesium sulfate which is a natural anti-inflammatory and pain reliever. It is often used in baths and foot soaks to help relieve muscle tension, pain, and inflammation. Further magnesium is a natural laxative.

There is no scientific evidence to support the use of Epsom salt for hemorrhoids. Yet, Epsom salt is a natural remedy that has been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments such as boils, etc.

How can Epsom Salt Help with Hemorrhoids?

Soaking in a tub of warm water with Epsom salt can help to reduce swelling and pain associated with hemorrhoids. This is beneficial for hemorrhoids because they are often swollen and inflamed.

Based on the theory that salt breaks down into magnesium sulfate in water. This works to soothe inflammation. The magnesium particles make their way into your anus with water, directly targeting the hemorrhoids. Thus, less swelling and pain result from reduced inflammation.

Additionally, the magnesium in Epsom salt natural laxative can also help to loosen stool, making it easier to pass. Thus, helping to pass stool without causing much or no pain. Overall, Epsom salt for hemorrhoids soothes, reduces inflammation, and relieves constipation.

How to Use Epsom Salt for Hemorrhoids?

Epsom salt can be used to treat both internal and external types of hemorrhoids.

Epsom Salt Bath and Compress

There are three ways to use Epsom salt for external hemorrhoids that are:

• Using sitz bath: They are round, shallow basins. Most are designed to fit over the rim of your toilet, but you can also use them in your bathtub. Instead of taking a full bath, they let you soak only your genitalia and anal areas. Fill the sitz bath with sufficient warm water to ensure no spillover when you sit on it. Add 1/2 a cup of Epsom salt and mix it well. Then sit on it and soak your anal area for about 10 to 20 minutes. Finally, pat and dry the area. You may buy Epsom salt soaking aids sitz baths online or at pharmacies.
• Using a regular bathtub: Be sure to clean it thoroughly before using it. Spray your tub with white vinegar, then sprinkle baking soda over the surface. Rinse and clean it well with normal water. After that, fill your bathtub with warm water up to 5 inches. Add 2 cups of Epsom salt to the warm water and mix it well. Then lower your anal area into the warm water. Keep soaking for about 10 to 20 minutes. Finally, pat and dry the area.
• Using a compress: A clean towel can be used by soaking in warm water with Epsom salt. Apply the compress to the area for a few minutes to help reduce pain and swelling.

The sitz bath and regular bath are useful only for internal hemorrhoids. Meanwhile, all the methods can be used for external hemorrhoids. For best results, you should do this 2-3 times a day until your hemorrhoids have healed.

If you are constipating you could take Epsom salt as a laxative. According to one Epsom salt selling company’s instructions, you may take 10 to 30 grams daily mixing in a full glass (8 ounces) of water.

Are there any side effects?

Epsom salt is generally safe to use. However, if you have sensitive skin, you may experience some irritation. It’s also important to make sure the salt is completely dissolved before getting into the tub or sitting on the sitz bath.

Hemorrhoids Prevention Tips

• Eat a high-fiber diet. This will help to keep your stools soft and easy to pass. Dietary fiber helps in maintaining good digestive health.
• Drink plenty of fluids. This will help to keep your stools soft and easy to pass.
• Avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time. This can put extra pressure on your hemorrhoids.
• Exercise regularly. This will help to keep your stools soft and easy to pass.
• Try to avoid straining when you have a bowel movement. This can put extra pressure on your hemorrhoids.

Other Healthy Uses of Epsom Salt

• Reduce Stress and Improve Mood: Soaking in an Epsom salt bath promotes relaxation and eases stress by boosting magnesium levels. Magnesium plays a key role in mood regulation and anxiety reduction. Many report feeling less stressed and more tranquil after bathing in the mineral-rich salts.
• Relief from Muscle Soreness and Cramps: The high levels of magnesium in Epsom salt offer therapeutic effects for muscle pain and cramping. It works by relaxing muscles, reducing inflammation, and improving mineral absorption. Soaking sore muscles in an Epsom salt bath can bring significant relief.
• Reduce Inflammation: Magnesium sulfate, the compound that gives Epsom salt its name, has been shown to reduce inflammatory markers. This makes it beneficial for inflammatory conditions. For localized inflammation, soaking the affected area in an Epsom salt bath can aid healing.
• Promote Restful Sleep: The calming and stress-reducing qualities of Epsom salt make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. Many find soaking before bed conducive to a satisfying night’s rest. This in turn enables better health and healing.
• Overcome Magnesium Deficiencies: With its high magnesium content, Epsom salt is an excellent way to increase magnesium levels. Since magnesium deficiency is common, adding Epsom salt soaks provides needed magnesium absorption to prevent symptoms like muscle cramps, fatigue, and anxiety.
• Healing Sunburns: Sunburns benefit greatly from Epsom salt baths. The magnesium sulfate compound helps take away inflammation, discomfort, and skin irritation caused by too much sun exposure. It supports healing by lowering swelling.
• Soothes Foot Pain: The anti-inflammatory traits of Epsom salts offer relief when soaked in a foot bath. For various foot conditions like plantar fasciitis and arthritis that involve inflamed nerves and joints, Epsom salt eases Foot achiness for several hours afterward.
• Exfoliant for Skin: As an add-on to your regular skincare routine, Epsom salt provides exfoliation to reveal fresh new skin. The salt’s coarse texture sloughs off dull skin cells and unclogs pores as it circulates in bath water.
• Healing Boils: The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory actions of Epsom salt may help bring boils to a head. By softening the skin tissue and allowing drainage, it quickens healing time. The minerals get absorbed to fight infection too.
• Relief from UTI: The minerals may prevent bacterial growth when used both internally and in bath water. When feeling UTI symptoms coming on, adding Epsom salt to your bath and drinking some magnesium sulfate water could potentially ward off UTI infection.

Takeaway

Hemorrhoids are often a painful and embarrassing condition. However, they are also a very common condition, affecting millions of people each year.

You could safely try Epsom salt for hemorrhoids which is one of the remedies that has been tried for centuries.  It is made up of magnesium sulfate, which is a natural anti-inflammatory and pain reliever.

Epsom salt is a natural remedy that can offer relief from hemorrhoids and can be used in a warm bath, sitz bath, or as a compress.