Oct
04
Posted under
how to treat hemorrhoids
My 11 month old has developed a small hemorrhoid that has been bothering him lately. He is not constipated, his bowel movements are almost always very smooth and soft. His cousin also developed the same problem when he was around the same age. I usually treat it by holding a cloth soaked in warm water on his bum and keeping him very clean. I have also tried some diaper rash cream to see if that would help it go down. His diet is very rich in fiber already. His doctor doesn’t want to prescribe him any medicinal creams, so my question is, if anyone has ever had to treat their child for a hemorrhoid, are there any tips or techniques you could give me?
Treatment for Child hemorrhoids - For the immediate relief of hemorrhoids in a child.
It may be helpful to get moistened wipes for your child to wipe with, and your pediatrician or pharmacist may be able to recommend more soothing moisteners than plain water.
Dry toilet paper should be avoided, as the temptation to scratch, rub or scrub with it may become overpowering.
Keep your tiny one clean, dry, and shower on the hugs and affection so that he or she knows this is not the end of the world and your love is constant.
Once a pediatrician has determined that your child does, indeed, have hemorrhoids, there are a number of things you can do to get your little one some immediate relief.
There are no hemorrhoidal creams or ointments currently made for children that are available over the counter, but ibuprofen does come in child and infant doses and may help with both pain and inflammation.
Of course, never give an infant under two years of age anything not recommended by a doctor, but your child’s pediatrician can calculate a proper dosage of ibuprofen for your infant based on age and weight if you call and ask.
The reason that a pediatrician has to calculate the dosage is because infant weights are so low and infant metabolisms work differently from that of even older children.
Between these two factors, it takes a degree in calculus to compute the right dosage of any medication for any infant.
Leaving medication aside, warm sitz-baths, given for twenty minutes at a time three times a day often bring great relief.
Oatmeal powder, which can be found at most drug stores, can be added to the sitz bath for extra soothing power.
If the child’s itching is bad, plain cornstarch can be dusted over the area and into the child’s diaper or underwear.
Some children find that sitting on a towel-wrapped icepack for a few minutes can help with the pain, as well.
Do check and make sure that your child does not have a sensitivity or allergy to the current laundry soap or softeners that you use. If in doubt, purchase a small bottle or two of hypoallergenic laundry detergent and softener, as any irritation that can be banished, should be.
The cure of child hemorrhoids
Once immediate relief has been obtained, hemorrhoids are relatively easy to deal with.
The best treatment for hemorrhoids in anyone, of any age, is to get more fiber from such foods as whole-grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables.
Sufficient liquid from sources of water, fruit juice, or milk is very important to avoiding constipation.
While it is important for your child to get enough fiber, never try to cure childhood constipation with enemas or laxatives without a doctor’s supervision. Laxatives can quickly and dangerously dehydrate your child.
If your child drinks soda, tea, or coffee, those things will have to go. The caffeine found in them is a drug called a diuretic, which means "to increase urination." Or, in other words, drinks with caffeine in them are actually pulling water out of the body.
In addition, the sugar found in soda doesn’t help, either, as it speeds the child’s metabolism, and therefore digestion, when regularity is what is most desired.
Exercise may be very beneficial - for a child this means physical playing.
The cure of infant hemorrhoids
If your child is still an infant and not yet eating food, then either breastfeeding or feeding a formula that is not iron-fortified can make all the difference. Iron-fortified or soy formulas can both lead to constipation in infants.
There are quite a few formulas on the market today specificially made for sensitive stomachs or as anti-constipation that can be beneficial.
While mom’s milk is best, that isn’t an option for everyone, but do try and get as close as you can.
Increased exercise and movement is also beneficial, so going and playing in the sunshine is a good idea, and might even give mom and dad a moment to breathe.
Infants that are not yet walking love to have their arms and legs played with in games like Bicycle, which is where an adult takes the baby’s feet in their hands and moves the legs and knees alternating up and down as if the baby were pushing pedals. Chanting silly songs and making goofy faces while doing this is, of course, strictly optional but highly recommended.
Hemorrhoids in child - Ending remarks
When paid attention to and treated promptly, childhood hemorrhoids should clear up on their own.
Due to the unique biology of human children, surgery is not usually an option, as their small bodies do not deal well with the serious bodily shock that accompanies any surgical procedure. However, the incidence of childhood hemorrhoids thrombosing, which means getting a blood clot stuck inside, or prolapsing, which refers to an internal hemorrhoid trying to come outside the body, is thankfully rather small. These two conditions almost demand surgery, but the incidence of these happe
