Rectal Pain Treatment

Call 911 if:

• You have significant bleeding or bleeding won't stop.
• Pain gets much worse.
• There is discharge, fever, or chills.

1. When to Seek Medical Care

See your doctor if:

• Pain is persistent.

• You have bloody stools or a small amount of persistent bleeding from anus or rectum.

2. Relieve Pain

• Soak in warm baths.

• After bowel movements, gently pat area with moist toilet paper or pads.

• Take acetaminophen (Panadol, Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin) for pain.

• If you know you have hemorrhoids, use over-the-counter hemorrhoid cream.

• If you have fissures (cracks or splits in anal opening), use an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream.

3. Follow Up

If you see a doctor, the next steps depend on the cause of pain.

• The doctor will do an exam and may prescribe creams or suppositories.

• The doctor may recommend lifestyle or dietary changes.

• In some cases, surgery or other treatment may be necessary.