What is the difference?
| Name | What matters |
|---|---|
| Witch hazel | Can be applied locally to reduce hemorrhoid itching. |
| Ethyl alcohol | Also called ethanol. The word alcohol by itself on a cosmetic ingredient list refers to ethyl alcohol. |
| Denatured alcohol | Ethyl alcohol with an added substance that makes it undrinkable. Labels can call it Alcohol Denat. or SD Alcohol. |
| Fatty alcohols | Examples include cetyl, stearyl and cetearyl alcohol. Their effects on skin differ from those of ethyl alcohol. |
If your goal is to avoid ethyl alcohol, look for an alcohol free cosmetic and read its ingredient list. Fatty alcohols can still appear in that formula. An alcohol free claim answers one narrow question, so the front label is not volunteering for the whole job.2
Does witch hazel contain alcohol?
Do not use the name witch hazel alone to decide whether a cosmetic contains ethyl alcohol. Look for alcohol, ethanol, Alcohol Denat. or SD Alcohol in the ingredient list. An alcohol free claim refers to ethyl alcohol, not every member of the alcohol family. The ingredient list is where to settle the alcohol question, even if the bottle would prefer you to admire its headline.2
Can you use witch hazel without alcohol for hemorrhoids?
Witch hazel can be applied to the area with a cotton swab to reduce itching. That general advice does not specify an alcohol content or establish whether an alcohol free version works better. It also does not set a frequency or time of day for application.1
For additional comfort, sit in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes and avoid scratching. Address straining too: eat foods high in fiber and avoid spending long periods on the toilet. These measures address more than itching alone.13
When should you get medical help?
If an over the counter hemorrhoid product has not relieved symptoms after one week, contact a doctor. Stop using a product that causes a rash or dry skin around the anus and seek advice. Have rectal bleeding checked rather than assuming hemorrhoids are the cause. Seek care right away for severe anal pain with bleeding, especially with abdominal pain, diarrhea or fever. Heavy bleeding, or bleeding with dizziness, lightheadedness or faintness, also needs immediate medical help.13
Where this answer comes from
- 1Hemorrhoids: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopediamedlineplus.gov
- 2"Alcohol Free"fda.gov
- 3Treatment of Hemorrhoidsniddk.nih.gov
