Anyway, I have therefore had some experience in treating them (on a good note). And couple of days ago I tried Witch Hazel hemorrhoidal wipes for the first time. And it stings like həll. I guess I can tell you (possible TMI) I was bleeding a little. But it clearly has alcohol in it. I must not be the only person it stings and burns for. (I often use baby wipes for that extra clean feeling. And that never burns.)
As long as we’re on the subject anyway, I might as well tell you. I use Vick’s medicated rub. And for mild cases at least, it works like a charm believe it or not. I imagine petroleum jelly might work too. (Only use Vaseline: others put scent in it for some unknown reasons.)
Also on the subject, about 20 years ago, I had really severe case. Yeah, (TMI:) blood was everywhere. My gastroenterologist gave me hydrocortisone suppositories. And that worked. (Note: don’t get hydrocortisone suppositories on the internet. It’s just not worth it.)
And of course you know, there’s no point in using Preparation H. It just doesn’t work. What more can I say?
My experience with witch hazel is that it is often combined with alcohol, in bottles and wipes. Tucks is one brand of wipe: Ingredients: Hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) water, aqua, glycerin, alcohol, etc. You can also purchase witch hazel that does not contain alcohol but it can be harder to find. Thayers makes both.
I have never found the witch hazel sans alcohol to sting, even on fresh wounds from the surgeon and ‘rhoids.YB(utt)MV
They do recommend only one wipe per flush. If you are having a STUPENDOUS event, use one wipe, flush the throne, and then get another wipe for the final cleanup.
Read ALL the info on the package/jar!
I found one knock-off brand of Tucks type wipe on Amazon, and I ordered from them for eons. Then I got a shipment that was labeled for the very first time “Do not flush. Dispose used wipe in trash receptacle.”
I then bought Tucks type wipes elsewhere.
Recently, my nether regions became very angry with witch hazel, and I went looking for something else.
Uh, no thanks. I watch “Adam Hates Everything” and caught the episode on that particular topic.
I’ll let the manufacturers of butt wipes duke it out with the waste water treatment plants.
My contribution to the TMI portion of this program is that I suffer from frequent, painful urinary tract infections. I discovered that using these wipes after every bathroom visit be it “Number 1” or “Number Two” I could cut my rate of infection by at least half. Half as many ER visits, half as many Rx, half as much misery.
The waste water treatment plants will have to up their game.
Might I suggest getting one of those little plastic sitz bath inserts for the toilet? When I was having the massive intractible diarrhea I would go til I finished, then wipe with moistened with water paper towels that went into the trash, then I would finish up with a sitz bath of equal parts epsoms salts and baking soda, or even just plain baking soda - to deal with the stomach acid burning. I would even consider getting one of those add it yourself Japanese bidet jobbies someone on the Dope got last year [I think it was]
Paper is hell on asses! Bidets and sitz baths are dfinitely the way to go!
So the “flushable” wipes only cause problems at the waste water treatment facilities? Why did I think they could be a problem in a home’s pipes? (Maybe because I’m not a plumber.)
IME the wipes sting when the hemorrhoids are bad, and don’t when things are normal/ok. Your “mileage” may vary.
Let me recommend bidet toilet seats! I was a skeptic, but after one use I was a convert. Water sprays clean faster, easier, and more thoroughly than wipes or TP. I haven’t had to use wipes in the year we’ve had the bidet seat. The basic one I use is under $50, available from Amazon and WalMart, as well as the vendor’s web site. Installation was easy. 12/10 would recommend!
Depends on your house. I’ve lived in places with industrial-strength plumbing, where if I didn’t have a conscience about the larger sewer system I’d be flushing burlap sacks and never give a thought to my own house’s pipes. Where I live now, on the other hand…
My house was built in 1928, and a fair amount of its plumbing (including the waste pipes that go to the sewer) is original equipment. We’ve had a fair amount of plumbing issues over the past decade-plus, mostly due to older pipes getting clogged or otherwise malfunctioning, and on several occasions, the plumbers specifically advised, “if you use flushable wipes, don’t send them down these pipes – they will cause clogs.”
I should also note that the plumbers said, “If you have new, clean pipes, then yeah, flushable wipes won’t be a problem for you. Old pipes? Don’t risk it.”
Years ago I had surgery for anal fissures. There is no butt stuff that is TMI for me. I use Cottonelle wipes daily, but put them in the garbage where they belong.
