IMPORTANT
Unless otherwise stated on the package, most supplements and herbal remedies aren’t suitable for children under 12.
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Haemorrhoids

If you’ve ever had this uncomfortable condition, you’ll know how much worse it can be for a child. Happily, they rarely get them when they’re young. It’s when they become young adults – and possibly take on some of our less than laudable eating and lifestyle habits – that the problems start.

The biggest cause is something we can almost always control. Get more advice by seeing constipation – in this section in the child or adult section of the Body Maps, depending on the age of the sufferer.

Other herbal remedies for piles, however, include:

Pilewort ointment – called by this rather obvious name in the middle Ages by herbalists because the roots look like haemorrhoids, but it’s a very soothing topical remedy
Distilled witchazel, kept in the fridge, also relieves the pain
Borage - if you have a plant in your garden (and it’s really easy to grow) crush a few leaves to extract the juice and dab on to stop the itching
Aloe Vera gel

The Homoeopathic remedies Aesculus, Aloe and Hamamelis could also help.

Alternate hot and cold bathing with the aromathapy essential oils Cyprus, Geranium and Juniper are also very soothing. But it’s especially important in this condition NEVER to apply undiluted essential oils and NEVER to use them – even diluted – if the piles are bleeding.

If your young sufferer has an acute bout of extremely painful haemorrhoids, instant relief is only as fare away as your kitchen. Take a handful of ice cubes, put them in a plastic bag and tell him or her to massage the painful piles gently. They’ll hurt more for a moment or two, but before long the cold will anaesthetise the area and should make it pain free for a couple of hours. Repeat as often as necessary, but don’t apply for more than 10 minutes at a time or he or she may be in danger of a very unusual and uncomfortable case of frostbite.

This information is licensed for use by Wellbeing Information Systems Ltd ("WIS"), and protected by international copyright law. All rights are reserved. (email info@wisinfo.co.uk).
The information provided by WIS is for guidance only. Whilst it is based upon the expert advice of leading professionals, and extensive research, it is not a substitute for diagnosis by a qualified professional. Always consult your doctor, pharmacist or qualified practitioner before making any changes or additions to prescribed medication.