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Apple cider vinegar for hemorrhoids

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

At a glance

Apple cider vinegar appears frequently in online discussions about hemorrhoid home remedies. The claims range from shrinking hemorrhoids to reducing inflammation to speeding healing. The reality is more cautious.

There is no clinical evidence supporting apple cider vinegar as an effective treatment for hemorrhoids. More importantly, applying an acidic substance to inflamed or broken perianal skin carries a real risk of making things worse.

This guide covers what people commonly report, what the evidence (or lack of it) actually says, and safer alternatives for hemorrhoid management.

Why people try it

Apple cider vinegar has a long history as a folk remedy for various conditions. The reasoning people apply to hemorrhoids usually includes:

  • Astringent properties — the idea that the acidity will tighten and shrink swollen tissue
  • Anti-inflammatory claims — the belief that it reduces inflammation
  • Antimicrobial properties — the suggestion that it prevents infection
  • Accessibility — it is inexpensive and available in most kitchens

These properties are not entirely fabricated — apple cider vinegar does have mild astringent and antimicrobial qualities. But the perianal area during a hemorrhoid flare is not the right context for them.

What people actually report

When people share their experiences with apple cider vinegar for hemorrhoids, the pattern is mixed but tends toward negative:

Those who tried direct application

  • Significant stinging and burning — this is the most consistent report
  • A brief tightening sensation that some interpret as the hemorrhoid shrinking, but which is likely a skin reaction to acid
  • Worsened irritation in many cases, particularly with repeated use
  • No lasting improvement in the hemorrhoid itself

Those who tried diluted application or sitz bath addition

  • Less stinging than direct application
  • No clear benefit beyond what the warm water provides
  • Some describe it as psychologically helpful — feeling they are actively doing something

The overall pattern

People who found relief from hemorrhoid flares were almost always using other measures simultaneously — sitz baths, dietary changes, over-the-counter creams. Attributing improvement to the apple cider vinegar specifically is difficult when multiple interventions are happening at once.

Why caution is warranted

The acid problem

Apple cider vinegar typically has a pH of about 2 to 3, which is strongly acidic. The perianal skin is delicate, and during a hemorrhoid flare it may be:

  • Inflamed — already irritated tissue reacts more to irritants
  • Broken — bleeding hemorrhoids have exposed tissue
  • Sensitive — the area has a high concentration of nerve endings

Applying acid to this area can cause a chemical irritation that mimics or worsens the symptoms you are trying to treat.

The delay problem

Perhaps the bigger concern is that relying on apple cider vinegar may delay people from using approaches that have more evidence behind them. If someone spends weeks trying a home remedy before addressing their stool management or seeing a clinician, the hemorrhoids may progress.

What works better

The approaches with the most consistent support for hemorrhoid management:

  • Warm sitz baths — plain warm water, 10 to 15 minutes, particularly after bowel movements
  • Stool management — fibre intake, hydration, and avoiding straining
  • Toilet habits — not sitting on the toilet for prolonged periods, not delaying the urge
  • Over-the-counter products — barrier creams and witch hazel pads for symptom relief
  • Proper posture — a footstool to raise the knees can help with bowel movements

For hemorrhoids that do not respond to self-care, medical options include banding, injection therapy, and in some cases surgery. These should be discussed with a clinician.

The bottom line

Apple cider vinegar is unlikely to help hemorrhoids and has a reasonable chance of causing additional irritation, particularly if applied directly. The warm water in a sitz bath, good stool management, and appropriate over-the-counter products are safer and better-supported approaches. If home measures are not providing relief, seeing a clinician is the logical next step.

Common questions

Does apple cider vinegar shrink hemorrhoids?

There is no clinical evidence that apple cider vinegar shrinks hemorrhoids. Some people report a temporary tightening or astringent sensation when they apply it, but this is likely a skin reaction to the acidity rather than a reduction in the hemorrhoid itself. Hemorrhoids shrink when the swelling in the blood vessels reduces, which requires addressing the underlying causes — typically improved stool management and reduced straining.

Is it safe to apply apple cider vinegar directly to hemorrhoids?

This is generally not recommended. Apple cider vinegar is highly acidic and the perianal area — especially when hemorrhoids are inflamed, bleeding, or have broken skin — is very sensitive. Many people who have tried direct application report significant stinging, burning, and in some cases worsening irritation. If the skin is already compromised, the acid can cause further damage.

Can I add apple cider vinegar to a sitz bath?

Some people add a small amount to their sitz bath. Highly diluted, it is less likely to cause irritation than direct application. However, the warm water in the sitz bath is doing the therapeutic work — relaxing muscles and increasing blood flow. There is no evidence that adding apple cider vinegar provides additional healing benefit beyond what plain warm water offers.

What about drinking apple cider vinegar for hemorrhoids?

Some people drink diluted apple cider vinegar as a general health practice. There is no specific evidence that this helps hemorrhoids. If it forms part of your general wellness routine and you tolerate it well, it is unlikely to cause harm in small amounts, but it should not be relied upon as a hemorrhoid treatment.

What should I use instead of apple cider vinegar?

For hemorrhoid comfort, approaches with more consistent support include warm sitz baths in plain water, over-the-counter barrier creams, witch hazel pads, and — most importantly — stool management through fibre, hydration, and proper toilet habits. If symptoms persist, a clinician can discuss medical treatment options.

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

Not sure how urgent it is? Get help today.

  1. Emergency

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

    Call 911 or go to the ER.

  2. Today

    Fever, pain getting worse, a hot swollen lump, or trouble passing urine.

    Call your doctor or go to urgent care.

  3. 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 rectal bleeding or blood clots
  • Severe pain from a thrombosed hemorrhoid
  • A lump that cannot be pushed back in
  • Signs of infection such as fever or increasing redness

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

BleedingPain during bowel movementsPain after bowel movementsItchingSwelling or lumpPressure or fullnessProtrusion

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.

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  • Nothing in the subject or preview says what it’s about.
  • Each Sunday, a link to your week, ready for your next appointment.
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Sitz bath routine: tips and mistakes

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Living with hemorrhoids — daily management

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