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Will Hemorrhoid Cream Help the Appearance of Tired Eyes?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

For many years, people have sworn by the benefits of using hemorrhoid treatments to reduce puffiness or swelling under the eyes. This is particularly true of creams, but not the case with medicated pads for hemorrhoids. Medicated pads contain astringents like witch hazel that can quite easily irritate the eyes. There are no actual clinical trials to show that hemorrhoid creams work to relive tired eyes. Some people claim to see benefits from the product, while others find minimal reduction of under eye swelling.

There is evidence, however, to suggest that hemorrhoid cream could be a dangerous irritant to the eyes. In fact, some companies that make it have asked people not to use it for puffy eyes because of potentially harmful effects. Most US manufacturers have also eliminated the ingredients in the cream that were thought to reduce puffiness.

New formulations of hemorrhoid creams contain an astringent that can cause irritation if used on the eyes.
New formulations of hemorrhoid creams contain an astringent that can cause irritation if used on the eyes.

The primary ingredients in older formulations of hemorrhoid cream were shark oil and yeast called Bio-Dyne or live yeast cell derivative (LYCD). LYCD has been shown to accelerate wound healing, but the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested it be removed from hemorrhoid treatments. This has disappointed many who swear by the benefits of the cream, since new formulations do not reduce puffiness and have an astringent that can irritate the eyes even more.

Taking oral antihistamines may help reduce fluid retention around the eyes caused by allergies.
Taking oral antihistamines may help reduce fluid retention around the eyes caused by allergies.

Canadian and European hemorrhoid treatments often still do contain both LYCD and shark oil. These can be ordered online, but they still may be unsafe to use. Instead, individuals might want to try alternate remedies for helping to reduce the appearance of tired eyes.

For instance, sleeping on the back at night tends to cause less fluid to accumulate under the eyes. Drinking eight glasses of water a day can actually help the body shed excess fluid, and eating a low sodium diet can also help the problem. Green tea bags and cold cucumber slices can both refresh the eyes and are even less expensive than hemorrhoid cream.

Drinking plenty of water daily can help the body shed excess fluid.
Drinking plenty of water daily can help the body shed excess fluid.

People who are concerned about tired looking eyes should also look at what is causing the problem. Allergic reactions can make fluid accumulate under the eyes, so taking antihistamines and allergy proofing the home might have a positive effect. When water is retained under the eyes and in the feet, hands, wrists, and ankles, this may signify problems with the heart or circulatory system. A person with significant fluid retention should see a medical professional to rule out serious health problems.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent TheHealthBoard contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

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Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent TheHealthBoard contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

serenesurface

In some Asian countries, a little bit of eye puffiness is considered a good thing. Girls will compliment each other for their eye puffiness. They think it looks cute, sort of like the eyes are smiling.

So maybe we don't need to get rid of puffiness if it's just a little bit.

bluedolphin

I don't know why drug companies had to go and change the formula of their hemorrhoid treatments. Why not just put a warning on the label instead that this is not meant to be used for anything other than hemorrhoids. If people still decide to put it under their eye, they're doing it at their own risk.

This is probably why the price of hemorrhoid creams have gone up so much lately. Has anyone seen the recent prices at pharmacies? It's unbelievable! It was so much cheaper a couple of years ago.

fBoyle

@anon56219-- That sounds like a great tip. I know that ice in general is good for inflammation and swelling. So that's probably why that works so well. I will have to try it some time.

I know that the ingredients of hemorrhoid creams have changed, but I still think that the ones without witch hazel might help with swelling. Once in a while, I do use one. It has the regular hemorrhoid cream ingredients, as well as aloe vera. I like aloe vera because it also moisturizes skin.

But this is a last resort for me and it really doesn't work as well as the hemorrhoid creams from before. Your ice technique probably works much better.

disciples

Do you put the cream on before you go to bed or first thing in the morning?

truman12

I have heard a number of people suggest this trick, and while I think it works a little, it is definitely not the miracle cure that some people suggest that it is. Your eyes are still going to look tired and droopy, just a little less so. I am not saying don't do it, but be realistic about the results you are going to get.

anon207675

The trick is to buy Prep-H from Canada. I swear by the stuff.

I have crohn's disease and the foods I eat cause my eyes to look rather nasty. After using Prep-H for just a few days, I noticed that my eyes were just fine.

Like anything though, results may vary. You should never just apply something to your skin without first spot testing it. If you have a reaction on the spot, well, duh! Don't use it on your whole face. Just be smart. Don't jump into something you know nothing about and you won't get hurt.

But don't be scared off. The stuff smells like a butthole but honestly, the benefits it provides me makes it truly worth it.

SnowyWinter

I had a friend who used hemorrhoid cream under her eyes before a family portrait and she broke out in a rash. She ended up having to go to the doctor and he put her on steroids for a week. She missed a couple of days of work because her face looked so bad.

One trick that I have used is to place a caffeinated tea bag on my eyes. I have also put some Afrin on a cotton ball and dabbed it under my eyes and it works just as well.

anon56219

Hi, I'm an amateur boxer, and puffy eyes are a common occurrence of the sport. I just put a cucumber in the blender with a little ice and fill a gauze pad for each eye and cover them and relax while listening to some nice music.

I like Vivaldi's Four Seasons to listen to, but the music is your own choice. Anyhow, it works for me.

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    • New formulations of hemorrhoid creams contain an astringent that can cause irritation if used on the eyes.
      By: Angel_a
      New formulations of hemorrhoid creams contain an astringent that can cause irritation if used on the eyes.
    • Taking oral antihistamines may help reduce fluid retention around the eyes caused by allergies.
      By: Wellford Tiller
      Taking oral antihistamines may help reduce fluid retention around the eyes caused by allergies.
    • Drinking plenty of water daily can help the body shed excess fluid.
      By: Belinda Pretorius
      Drinking plenty of water daily can help the body shed excess fluid.
    • Green tea bags can refresh the eyes.
      By: karandaev
      Green tea bags can refresh the eyes.
    • People who are concerned about tired-looking eyes should examine the cause.
      By: vadymvdrobot
      People who are concerned about tired-looking eyes should examine the cause.
    • Canadian and European hemorrhoid creams may still contain shark oil.
      By: Christopher Bartlett
      Canadian and European hemorrhoid creams may still contain shark oil.
    • Tired eyes are often puffy, with dark circles underneath.
      By: roblan
      Tired eyes are often puffy, with dark circles underneath.