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Anusol vs Germoloids: OTC compared

Published 13 March 2026 ·Last reviewed 13 March 2026 by the editorial team ·How we create our content

At a glance

Anusol and Germoloids are two of the most widely available over-the-counter hemorrhoid treatments in the UK. Both are available in various formulations (cream, ointment, suppositories), and both aim to relieve hemorrhoid symptoms. But they contain different active ingredients and work in slightly different ways.

This guide compares the two to help you make an informed choice.

What they contain

Anusol range

The Anusol range includes several products with different formulations:

Anusol cream/ointment/suppositories — contains zinc oxide, bismuth subgallate, balsam of Peru, and bismuth oxide. These ingredients provide:

A protective barrier over the affected area
Mild astringent action to reduce moisture
Soothing and anti-inflammatory properties

Anusol Plus HC — adds hydrocortisone, a mild steroid that reduces inflammation and itching. Available over the counter in the UK for short-term use.

Germoloids range

Germoloids cream/ointment/suppositories — contains lidocaine (a local anaesthetic) and zinc oxide. These provide:

Numbing of the affected area for pain relief
A protective barrier
Mild astringent action

Germoloids HC spray — adds hydrocortisone in a spray format.

The key differences

Feature	Anusol	Germoloids
Main action	Soothing and protective	Numbing and protective
Local anaesthetic	No	Yes (lidocaine)
Zinc oxide	Yes	Yes
Hydrocortisone option	Yes (Anusol Plus HC)	Yes (Germoloids HC)
Best for	General comfort, mild symptoms	Pain-dominant symptoms
Available as	Cream, ointment, suppositories	Cream, ointment, suppositories, spray

What people report

Anusol

People who prefer Anusol commonly describe:

Good general soothing effect
Helpful for mild itching and irritation
The ointment formulation being better for overnight use
The suppositories being useful for internal symptoms
A gentle product that rarely causes irritation

Germoloids

People who prefer Germoloids commonly describe:

Better pain relief because of the numbing effect
Useful during acute flares when pain is the main symptom
The spray being convenient for application without touching the area
The numbing wearing off after a few hours, requiring reapplication

General patterns

People with predominantly itching and irritation tend to prefer Anusol
People with predominantly pain tend to prefer Germoloids
The hydrocortisone versions of both are described as more effective for inflammation
Neither is described as dramatically better than the other — personal preference and symptom profile guide the choice

Practical advice

Choosing between them

If your main symptom is pain — Germoloids (with lidocaine) may provide more immediate relief
If your main symptom is itching or general irritation — Anusol may be sufficient
If your main symptom is inflammation — the HC (hydrocortisone) version of either may be most helpful
If you have not tried either before, starting with one and giving it several days is more useful than switching rapidly

Using them effectively

Apply after a bowel movement and after cleaning the area gently
Follow the dosing instructions on the packaging
Do not use HC products for more than seven days without medical guidance
Use alongside conservative measures — fibre, hydration, sitz baths
If symptoms persist after a week of consistent use, see your GP

When OTC products are not enough

Over-the-counter products are appropriate for mild to moderate hemorrhoid symptoms. See a clinician if:

Symptoms are severe or worsening
There is significant bleeding
Products are not providing relief after a week
You are unsure whether your symptoms are caused by hemorrhoids
You need treatment during pregnancy (check with your midwife or GP first)

The bottom line

Both Anusol and Germoloids are reasonable over-the-counter options for hemorrhoid symptom relief. They work in slightly different ways — Anusol soothing and protecting, Germoloids numbing and protecting. Neither cures hemorrhoids; both provide temporary comfort while the underlying condition is managed through diet, hydration, and toilet habits. If neither is providing sufficient relief, the next step is a conversation with your GP.

Common questions

Is Anusol or Germoloids better for hemorrhoids?

Neither is definitively better — they contain different active ingredients and people respond differently. Anusol products focus on soothing and protecting the area. Germoloids products include a local anaesthetic for numbing. Which works better depends on your main symptoms and personal response. Many people try both and settle on whichever provides more relief for their symptoms.

Can I use both Anusol and Germoloids?

Using two different hemorrhoid products simultaneously is generally not recommended, as they may interact or cause irritation. Choose one and use it consistently for several days to assess whether it helps. If one is not working, switch to the other rather than using both at once.

How long can I use these products?

Most over-the-counter hemorrhoid products are designed for short-term use — typically up to seven days. Products containing hydrocortisone should not be used for extended periods because of the risk of skin thinning. If you need ongoing symptom relief beyond a week, see your GP for guidance.

Do these products cure hemorrhoids?

No. Over-the-counter products provide symptom relief — reducing pain, itching, and discomfort — but they do not shrink or remove hemorrhoids. They are best used alongside conservative measures like fibre, hydration, and proper toilet habits, which address the underlying condition.

When to seek care Heavy bleeding or feeling faint? Get emergency help now. Emergency: 911

Not sure how urgent it is? Get help today.

Emergency
Heavy bleeding, black tarry stools, feeling faint, severe pain or trouble breathing.

Call 911 or go to the ER.
Today
Fever, pain getting worse, a hot swollen lump, or trouble passing urine.

Call your doctor or go to urgent care.
Soon
Bleeding or bowel changes nobody has checked, or anything lasting 3 weeks.

Book a doctor’s appointment.

Feeling overwhelmed? Call or text 988, any time.

See all the signs

For this topic, get medical advice if you notice:

Heavy or persistent rectal bleeding
Severe pain from a thrombosed hemorrhoid
Symptoms not improving after 7 days of OTC treatment
Any new lump that you have not had assessed

Recording how you feel is not the same as being checked. These are the signs that need a doctor’s attention.

Call 911 or go to the emergency room now if you have:

bleeding that will not stop, a lot of blood (the toilet water turns red, or you pass large clots), or any bleeding with feeling faint or dizzy
fainting, a racing heart or trouble breathing
confusion or slurred speech, extreme shivering, no urine in a day, or blotchy skin
sudden severe belly pain, or a swollen, hard belly with vomiting or not passing stool or gas
you cannot pass urine at all, or your bladder feels full and painful and you can’t empty it
redness, swelling or severe pain spreading quickly around your anus, genitals or groin, especially with a fever or feeling very ill
a fever with a painful swelling near your anus if you have diabetes or a weakened immune system (for example, from chemotherapy or transplant medicines)
black, tarry stools

Call your doctor or go to urgent care today (or the ER if you can’t be seen today) if you have:

a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, chills, vomiting, or feeling generally unwell
pain that is getting worse over days, or severe pain that stops you sitting or sleeping
a hot, swollen or very tender lump near your anus or at the top of the crease between your buttocks, or foul-smelling discharge
trouble urinating
bleeding that is getting heavier or more frequent, or blood mixed into your stool
feeling much more tired than usual, looking pale, or getting out of breath more easily than you used to
not passing stool for several days, or new belly pain

Make an appointment with your doctor if:

you have never had these symptoms checked by a doctor or nurse — whatever your age
you have had rectal bleeding for more than 3 weeks
your bowel movements have been looser, thinner or more frequent than usual for 3 weeks or more, or you have lost weight without trying
symptoms have not settled after a week or so, or keep coming back
you notice a new lump near your anus, between your buttocks or in your belly, or an itch or discharge that does not clear
you have new leakage or trouble controlling your bowels
you are 45 or over, or have a family history of bowel cancer or inflammatory bowel disease, and any of these symptoms are new for you

If you are unsure, it is always reasonable to ask. If things feel overwhelming, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or chat at 988lifeline.org, any time. If you don’t feel safe, call 911.

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Related symptoms

Bleeding Pain during bowel movements Pain after bowel movements Itching Swelling or lump Pressure or fullness Protrusion

Discreet symptom tracking

Symptoms that come and go? Keep track, day by day.

For hemorrhoids, fissures, fistulas and other anal and rectal problems. A short, discreet email asks how things have been, and saves each answer, so you can look back at every flare and every good week in your own words. If you haven’t had your symptoms checked, see your doctor first.

About ten seconds a check-in. No app, no password.
Nothing in the subject or preview says what it’s about.
Each Sunday, a link to your week, ready for your next appointment.

Start tracking →

Your notes

Your check-in

Takes about ten seconds.

20:00

Example. Nothing on the lock screen hints at symptoms or conditions.

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