Symptoms
Symptoms of haemorrhoids
Piles cause local anal symptoms. Abdominal pain, weight loss, or altered stool calibre need a broader bowel assessment.
Treatments
Haemorrhoids Treatment Online
Get haemorrhoids and piles treatment online. A UK-registered clinician reviews creams or tablets, with discreet UK delivery if treatment is suitable.
Introduction
Treatment overview
Haemorrhoids (piles) are swollen blood vessels in and around the anus. They can cause bright red blood on the paper or in the pan, itching, a lump, and discomfort when you pass a stool. Constipation and straining make them worse.
We will review soothing creams, short courses of steroid-containing products, and laxatives after checking red flags. Blood mixed through the stool, unexplained weight loss, or a lasting change in bowel habit needs a GP, not another pile cream.
The condition
What are haemorrhoids?
Haemorrhoids (piles) are swollen vascular cushions in the anal canal. Internal piles may bleed without much pain. External piles can itch, swell, and hurt, especially if a clot forms (thrombosis).
Straining, constipation, pregnancy, and sitting on the toilet for a long time are common contributors. Bright red blood on the paper or dripping into the pan is typical. Blood mixed through the stool, black stools, or a change in bowel habit is not assumed to be piles.
Private Pharmacy Care can review short-term creams and stool-softening treatment after a consultation. A clinician decides. Completing a form does not guarantee a prescription. Always read the leaflet. Persistent bleeding needs a GP.
Causes
Causes of haemorrhoids
Increased pressure in the pelvic veins stretches the anal cushions. Anything that raises that pressure or hardens the stool can trigger a flare.
Products
Available products
Benefits
Benefits and uses
Most piles improve with softer stools and short-term local treatment. Surgery is only for persistent or very large haemorrhoids after in-person assessment.
Soothing local treatment
Creams or ointments can ease itch and swelling for a limited time.
Softer stools
Fibre, fluids, and a suitable laxative reduce straining, which is the main trigger.
Discreet supply
If a product is prescribed, it is dispensed and posted in plain packaging.
Red-flag screening
We will tell you when bleeding needs a GP two-week pathway instead of self-care.
Eligibility
Eligibility
Typical piles in adults without alarm symptoms may be suitable. Severe pain with a hard lump can be a thrombosed pile and may need urgent in-person care.
May be suitable if
- Bright red spotting on paper or a known pile that flares with constipation
- You can increase fibre and fluids unless advised not to
- You will not ignore black stools, mixed-in blood, or weight loss
- You can use a cream for a short course only
May not be suitable if
- Heavy bleeding, dizziness, or you feel very unwell
- Unexplained weight loss, a lasting change in bowel habit, or blood mixed through the stool
- Severe anal pain with a hard purple lump — possible thrombosis
- You have already used steroid pile cream for weeks without review
A clinician decides whether treatment is appropriate. Completing a consultation does not guarantee a prescription.
Start a consultation
Ready to check if haemorrhoid treatment is right for you?
Start a confidential consultation. See a GP if bleeding is mixed through the stool or your bowel habit has changed.
- UK-registered clinician review
- Confidential online consultation
- Discreet UK delivery
How it works
How it works
Local products reduce inflammation and numb the area. They are usually used for a few days, not continuously. Bulk-forming or osmotic laxatives soften stool so you strain less. Do not sit on the toilet for long periods.
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Complete a consultation
Answer a short, confidential questionnaire about your symptoms, medical history and current medicines.
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Clinician review
A UK-registered clinician reviews your answers to check the treatment is safe and appropriate for you.
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Dispensing and delivery
If a prescription is issued, our pharmacy dispenses the medicine and sends it in discreet UK packaging.
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Support if you need it
Questions after you start treatment? Contact the team and we will help you with next steps.
Safety
Safety information
Rectal bleeding is not always piles. New or persistent bleeding should be assessed, especially if you are over 40 or have a family history of bowel cancer.
Steroid creams used for too long can thin the skin.
- See a GP for blood mixed through the stool, black tarry stools, or a change in bowel habit lasting weeks.
- Wash gently and pat dry; avoid scented wipes if they sting.
- Do not keep extending steroid cream courses.
- Always read the patient information leaflet supplied with a medicine. This page is general information and is not a substitute for personalised clinical advice.
Side effects
Side effects
Local irritation and a brief sting are common. Laxatives can cause wind or urgency.
- Stinging on application Usually brief. Stop if the skin becomes much more raw.
- Thinning of the skin (steroid creams) Keep to the advised number of days.
- Wind or cramps (laxatives) Often settles. Reduce dose if advised.
- Allergic rash Stop and seek advice. Breathing difficulty is an emergency.
Always read the patient information leaflet supplied with a medicine. This page is general information and is not a substitute for personalised clinical advice.
Using treatment
How to take or use the treatment
Always read the patient information leaflet for any cream, suppository or laxative you are given. The steps below are general.
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Clean gently then apply a thin layer
Pat dry. Use the nozzle only as the leaflet describes. Wash your hands.
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Keep steroid courses short
Stop on time even if a little itch remains. Longer use can thin the skin.
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Take laxatives with enough water
Especially fibre supplements. Do not escalate several laxatives at once without advice.
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Do not ignore ongoing bleeding
If bleeding continues after the flare should have settled, book a GP rather than repeating remote treatment.
Safety netting
When to seek medical advice
Most piles settle with softer stools and a short local treatment. Some bleeding is not piles. Severe pain and heavy blood loss need urgent care.
Seek urgent help (A&E) if
- Heavy rectal bleeding, dizziness, or you feel faint — go to A&E.
- Black tarry stools or vomiting blood — emergency assessment, not a pile cream.
- Severe anal pain with a hard lump and you cannot cope — same-day in-person care.
- Sudden severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and no passing of stool or wind — possible obstruction; go to A&E.
Contact a clinician or NHS 111 if
- Blood mixed through the stool, a lasting change in bowel habit, or unexplained weight loss — see a GP promptly (two-week pathway if cancer is possible).
- Bleeding continues after a couple of weeks of self-care, or you are over 40 and this is new.
- You are pregnant and piles are severe — ask maternity or a pharmacist; some products are not preferred in pregnancy.
- You have inflammatory bowel disease and this flare is out of pattern — contact your usual team.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Tap a question to see the answer. If you still need help, our team is ready to assist.
Is bright red blood always piles?
It is a common cause, but not the only one. Mixed-in blood, black stools, or a change in bowel habit needs a GP.
Can I treat piles without a cream?
Softer stools, not straining, and short soaks can be enough for a mild flare. A clinician can still advise if you want a reviewed product.
How long should a flare last?
Many improve over days to a couple of weeks with self-care. See a GP if bleeding continues or a lump will not settle.
Is this service available now?
Yes. Start an online consultation. Seek urgent care for heavy bleeding or severe pain.
Why choose us
Why choose Private Pharmacy Care?
A regulated UK pharmacy service with clinician review, discreet delivery and support if you have questions after treatment is supplied.
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UK-registered clinicians
Every request is reviewed by a UK-registered clinician before a medicine can be prescribed.
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Confidential consultations
Complete a private questionnaire from home. Your information is used to check that treatment is safe and appropriate.
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Discreet UK dispensing
If a prescription is issued, our pharmacy dispenses it and sends it in plain packaging.
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Clear safety checks
We ask about your symptoms, medical history and other medicines. Completing a form does not guarantee a prescription.
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Support after you order
Questions about side effects or how to take a medicine? Contact the team and we will help you with next steps.
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Regulated pharmacy care
Private Pharmacy Care is a UK pharmacy service. Named clinicians and public register details are listed on our clinical team page.
Sources
References and medical sources
This page is general information for UK patients. It is not a substitute for the patient information leaflet or personalised clinical advice.
- NHS health A to Z Patient-facing NHS guidance.
- NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries UK clinical reference used by healthcare professionals.
- Electronic Medicines Compendium (emc) UK Summaries of Product Characteristics and patient information leaflets.
- MHRA UK medicines regulator.
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