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First Aid & Emergencies

Call 911 NOW if you are having:

  • Chest Pain
  • Difficulty Breathing
  • Severe Bleeding
  • Sudden Weakness or Numbness
  • A Medical Emergency
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Rectal Pain Treatment

Call 911 if:

  • You have significant bleeding or bleeding won't stop.
  • Pain gets much worse.
  • There is discharge, fever, or chills.

1. When to Seek Medical Care

See your doctor if:

  • Pain is persistent.
  • You have bloody stools or persistent bleeding from anus or rectum.

 

2. Relieve Pain

  • Soak in warm baths.
  • After bowel movements, gently pat area with moist toilet paper or pads.
  • Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for pain.
  • If you know you have hemorrhoids, use over-the-counter hemorrhoid cream.
  • If you have fissures (cracks or splits in anal opening), use an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream for the fissures.

 

3. Follow Up

If you see a doctor, the next steps depend on the cause of pain.

  • The doctor will do an exam and may prescribe creams or suppositories.
  • The doctor may recommend lifestyle or dietary changes.
  • In some cases, surgery or other treatment may be necessary.

 

WebMD Medical Reference

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Reviewed by Varnada Karriem-Norwood, MD on April 29, 2010
© 2011 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

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