How to relieve your symptoms

Care After Delivery^(4,17)

Prevention

• Try to prevent constipation or straining.
• Drink more water.
• Walk and exercise regularly, including Kegel's exercise.
• Eat a high-fiber diet.
• Avoid heavy lifting.

General Treatment Plan

• Spend less time sitting on the toilet to reduce pressure in the veins around the anus. Avoid reading on the toilet. (This increases sitting time.)
• Do sitz bath: Soak in warm water several times a day, especially after having a bowel movement, to keep the area clean. Pat dry afterward. If you cannot do sitz baths after a bowel movement, then gently clean yourself with a wet tissue, baby wipe, or washcloth. This is less irritating than dry tissue paper.
• Apply cold packs or witch hazel (Tucks) compresses for symptom relief, especially during first 24 hours after delivery.
• Treat constipation; Your physician may recommend a stool softener (bulk fibre, laxatives) two to three times a day to prevent straining with bowel movements. Once more, treating constipation and softening stool are essential aspects of treating your hemorrhoids.
• The first treatment of hemorrhoids is a high-fiber diet with commercial fiber supplements and generous oral fluids to promote soft, but formed, regular bowel movements, in addition to using a topical corticosteroid foam.⁽¹⁸⁾ Topical anesthetics may also be of benefit.⁽¹⁹⁾ For the temporary relief of anorectal inflammation, itching, pain and swelling, your physician may prescribe Proctofoam-HC. The pain reliever contained in Proctofoam-HC may be of immediate assistance.
• Many acute fissures heal spontaneously with good anal hygiene and local treatment with Proctofoam-HC. This medication soothe the inflamed area, providing symptom relief and healing.⁽⁹⁾ Suppositories cause pain on insertion and therefore a topical foam such as Proctofoam-HC may be more appropriate. A foam product may be less irritating.
• The priority during treatment of pruritus ani is the identification and correction of any underlying infection or irritation. It is very important to limit constipation and diarrhea appropriately with either a high fiber diet or stool softeners. Cleansing and toilet habits are important. Toilet paper use after a bowel movement may be abrasive. Wiping with synthetic cotton swabs premoistened with warm water may be more comfortable. Vigorous rubbing must be also avoided.⁽¹⁴⁾ Moreover, a short course of treatment (7 to 14 days) with Proctofoam-HC should relieve your symptoms. A topical steroid foam such as Proctofoam-HC is quite appropriate since foams are less irritating than creams.
• Proctofoam-HC is indicated in case of anorectal inflammation, pain and swelling associated with nonspecific proctitis. Infective proctitis can be treated by antibiotics. Treatment of radiation proctitis is similar to that of nonspecific proctitis and includes topical Proctofoam-HC in the form of foam to suppress inflammation.
• Proctofoam-HC use is helpful for cryptitis relief. Treatment might include the surgical removal of a crypt, but it is not the complete answer to treating cryptitis. The cause must be eliminated.

You have been prescribed Proctofoam-HC

A "Patient information pamphlet" is provided in the Proctofoam-HC box. Before using this medication, read the directions for internal and external use.

If you miss an application
If your doctor has directed you to use this medication on a regular schedule, use it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next application, skip the missed treatment and return to your regular application schedule.

Allergies or sensitization
Discontinue use and call your doctor if irritation or an allergic reaction occurs. Inform your health care professional that you have been using corticosteroids.

You must notify your physician if you have

• A hard lump that develops where a hemorrhoid once was situated.
• Hemorrhoids that cause severe pain that is not relieved by the above treatment.
• Rectal bleeding. Occasionally, the bleeding attributed to hemorrhoids can come from other medical conditions. (Colorectal cancer and Inflammatory bowel diseases)