Take the Tummy Trouble Quiz Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow Pictures Heartburn? Foods to Eat, Foods to Avoid Slideshow

Medical Author:

Dedra R Tolson, MD

Medical Editor:

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.

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Rectal Bleeding Treatment

Rectal Bleeding Self-Care at Home

If minimal rectal bleeding, such as blood-streaked toilet tissue, is the source of the problem, it may be due to hemorrhoids or a rectal fissure. Home therapy can be attempted. All other causes of rectal bleeding should be evaluated and treated by a physician promptly.

Self-care of rectal bleeding may include various rectal ointments and suppositories. These can be bought over-the-counter without a prescription. If the person's symptoms do not improve within one week of treatment, or he or she is older than 40 years of age, a doctor should be seen for further evaluation.

Simple home care of rectal bleeding include:

• Drink 8-10 glasses of water per day.
• Bathe or shower daily to cleanse the skin around the anus.
• Decrease straining with bowel movements.
• Increase fiber in the diet with supplements such as Metamucil, Benefiber, or foods such as prunes.
• Avoid sitting on the toilet too long.
• Apply ice packs to the affected area to decrease pain.
• Take a sitz bath. This is a warm water bath with water just deep enough to cover the hips and buttocks, and can help relieve some symptoms of itching, pain and discomfort of hemorrhoids.
• Avoid drinking alcohol, as that contributes to dehydration, which is one cause of constipation.