Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask how you cope with regular piles flare-ups?

30 replies

Trialsofpiles · 07/09/2025 18:34

Name-changed and posting here for traffic from other fellow sufferers!

I have had piles on and off for years - since my early 20s, now late 40s. Every so often one flares up (often if it's hot or I'm stressed or both, they also flared up when I was pregnant) and either shrinks again on its own after a few days, or I use Scheriproct for a few days and that does the job.

3 weeks ago I got a really bad one - external, I think probably thrombosed, and the scheriproct did its job in shrinking it as usual and it's much better than it was, and the pain only occasional. But it does keep flaring up again, either after I go to the toilet, or after I go to the gym or on a long walk. And I really like exercise and don't want to have to stop for this reason.

So am now really panicking that this is it and I'm stuck with them regularly playing up/chronic and coming and going every few days. Is it worth going to the doctor? My understanding is that I can only use Scheriproct for a week anyway and I've done that, so they can't prescribe me anything else can they? I don't have any bleeding or any worrying signs of anything else, and I can see the pile and know that what's it is. It's definitely not bad enough to risk the horror stories of removal. So am I just stuck with this on and off for the foreseeable future?!

And if any medics are reading this, I'm interested to know whether I should try using the scheriproct for longer, but I'm really cautious and strict about stuff like that, and I don't want to cause further problems by using hydrocortisone for longer than I'm meant to...

OP posts:
Original poster
Trialsofpiles · 07/09/2025 18:54

Bump - anyone?

OP posts:
Jonjojulie · 07/09/2025 18:57

Hi OP. I find I can reduce the external pile by holding a small muslin cloth soaked in very cold water against it as I push upwards. It is
much more effective than the creams for me. Might be worth a try. Good luck!

Original poster
Trialsofpiles · 07/09/2025 18:59

Thanks @Jonjojulie - that is one of very few things I actually haven't tried yet so will give it a go...

OP posts:
BettyBobble · 07/09/2025 19:02

Have you tried germaloids. It's over the counter and does shrink the bastards

curtaintwitcher78 · 07/09/2025 19:03

Start using a squatty potty. Definitely reduces pressure. I have chronic external and internal piles and I haven't had a day off work in two years. They're still a problem but a lot less so. Also soaking in warm water and epsom salts. You can buy a foldable bum bath that sits over your toilet.

Original poster
Trialsofpiles · 07/09/2025 19:04

Thanks @curtaintwitcher78 - mine definitely have never been bad enough to make me miss work, but they're annoying and I constantly panic about them getting worse. I particularly don't want to have to stop exercising but this does seem to be causing them to flare up at the moment.

OP posts:
Merryoldgoat · 07/09/2025 19:04

Are you using suppositories as well as ointment?

Original poster
Trialsofpiles · 07/09/2025 19:05

@Merryoldgoat no, haven't tried the suppositories - it's mainly just one pile and I can see it/get ointment on it, so I wasn't sure the suppositories would really make much difference.

OP posts:
Original poster
Trialsofpiles · 07/09/2025 19:06

@BettyBobble Yes, have tried germoloids and I find it sort of helps the symptoms, but doesn't actually remove the issue.

OP posts:
curtaintwitcher78 · 07/09/2025 19:07

Trialsofpiles · 07/09/2025 19:04

Thanks @curtaintwitcher78 - mine definitely have never been bad enough to make me miss work, but they're annoying and I constantly panic about them getting worse. I particularly don't want to have to stop exercising but this does seem to be causing them to flare up at the moment.

Exercise aggravates mine too but since squatty potty it's been better.

Bananarama2000 · 07/09/2025 19:11

Change your diet and remove anything ultra processed. Start with just veggies, pulses, beans etc before gradually adding anything else. I’ve found this has worked entirely for me and would say it’s certainly worth a shot 🤷🏼‍♀️

Original poster
Trialsofpiles · 07/09/2025 19:18

@Bananarama2000 thanks for this. Can I ask though - did this work because it changed the nature of your poos, or do you think it worked for other reasons? My diet is pretty good already, I could definitely go further in eliminating UPFs, but is this likely to eliminate a haemmorhoid that's already there, rather than just not giving me more?!

OP posts:
Ezesonfire · 07/09/2025 19:22

Get it removed. Best thing I ever did!

I developed piles in late pregnancy, I had an internal one that popped out every time I opened my bowels. It would become thrombosed and sore often.
I had to carry around surgical gloves just in case I needed the loo when out.

One day id had enough, booked a GP appt and got referred. It was a day surgery case, and I recall it wasn’t too much bother for recovery.

Original poster
Trialsofpiles · 07/09/2025 19:25

That's quite cheering to hear @Ezesonfire as there are so many horror stories of removal on here and the terrible recovery time...

OP posts:
Jadebanditchillipepper · 07/09/2025 19:28

Suppositories work much better than cream alone because they shrink the pile from the inside. It's definitely worth getting some

curtaintwitcher78 · 07/09/2025 19:30

Jadebanditchillipepper · 07/09/2025 19:28

Suppositories work much better than cream alone because they shrink the pile from the inside. It's definitely worth getting some

I second this.

curtaintwitcher78 · 07/09/2025 19:36

Also I have IBS which in my case causes diarrhoea. A lot of people get piles because they have constipation and are straining. Totally opposite for me. Mine get worse because I just poo so much and it's irritating. So I have no idea whether that's a factor with you but most people say to me when I mention my piles "Drink more water and eat more fibre". Not what I need at all. So yeah what I mean is, bear in mind your own bowel habits when taking dietary advice.

Original poster
Trialsofpiles · 07/09/2025 19:37

Yep funnily enough @curtaintwitcher78 - I'm the same. I usually only go once every three days (have always been like this, is normal for me) but what started this particular flare up was a period where I was away from home, ate more/differently from usual and therefore went much more. So it isn't always constipation, and I do eat plenty of fibre.

OP posts:
curtaintwitcher78 · 07/09/2025 19:39

Trialsofpiles · 07/09/2025 19:37

Yep funnily enough @curtaintwitcher78 - I'm the same. I usually only go once every three days (have always been like this, is normal for me) but what started this particular flare up was a period where I was away from home, ate more/differently from usual and therefore went much more. So it isn't always constipation, and I do eat plenty of fibre.

I do hope you find what works for you. They're literally a PITA!

Original poster
Trialsofpiles · 07/09/2025 19:40

Yep!

OP posts:
Merryoldgoat · 07/09/2025 19:44

Trialsofpiles · 07/09/2025 19:05

@Merryoldgoat no, haven't tried the suppositories - it's mainly just one pile and I can see it/get ointment on it, so I wasn't sure the suppositories would really make much difference.

Personally I find the combination of cream and suppositories much more effective.

I have a few which flare up about once a year and I use a suppository at the first hint which can often stave it off.

I had thought that it was only appropriate for internal piles (and mine are external) but the doctor said that they help at the root of the problem, so to speak.

I used to carry a kit - big cotton pads, witch hazel, ointment, suppositories, wipes. All helpful in an emergency.

OhNoYouDontMissus · 07/09/2025 19:52

I’ve never had them as badly as you so not I’m sure if this’ll be any good for you but it always clears mine up pretty much instantly. Never found germoloids or anusol to be of any use, but this Ainsworths AHP cream really, really works for me, and there are no steroids or anything in there.

I’m not an advocate for homeopathy in general, but these creams are brilliant, IME (I regularly use four of the range).

Would be interested to hear how you get on if you do try it!

https://www.ainsworths.com/Ainsworths-Creams/

Ainsworths Creams • Ainsworths • The First Name in Homoeopathy

https://www.ainsworths.com/Ainsworths-Creams/

Alwayssnacking · 07/09/2025 20:14

I had awful ones after giving birth, like a bunch of grapes. I got them removed, by god it was very painful for a while when going to the toilet but now it doesn't hurt and they are pretty much gone

Original poster
Trialsofpiles · 07/09/2025 20:23

@AlwayssnackingGlad to hear the surgery worked for you and sorry it was so bad.

OP posts:
Bananarama2000 · 07/09/2025 20:30

Trialsofpiles · 07/09/2025 19:18

@Bananarama2000 thanks for this. Can I ask though - did this work because it changed the nature of your poos, or do you think it worked for other reasons? My diet is pretty good already, I could definitely go further in eliminating UPFs, but is this likely to eliminate a haemmorhoid that's already there, rather than just not giving me more?!

Honestly I’m not sure how it’s changed it as my diet was already good but I’ve had no flare ups since. It wasn’t in order to change toilet habits if that’s what you meant.
I actually decided to do it originally for a different reason (I thought I could have an allergy causing my eczema) but it seems to have had other good side effects this being one of them. I went completely thoroughly though, even down to condiments etc