Talking about certain health issues is uncomfortable, particularly regarding concerns "down there." And because we're not always eager to ask questions about our colorectal health, it's often shrouded in mystery. But now, Philip Y. Pearson, MD, a colorectal surgeon in Pennsylvania, has taken to TikTok to discuss common concerns and reveal the things he never does as a surgeon himself. Read on to find out what he recommends avoiding.
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1 | Use wet wipes
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In a video posted on Dec. 14, 2024, Pearson lays out four things he wouldn't do, adding a bit of sarcasm (and music in other videos) to get his point across. At the top of his list of don'ts is something many of us keep in our bathroom: wet wipes.
"I would not use wet wipes," he says on TikTok. "They have chemicals in them, and they can destroy your skin. Why do it?"
In another video posted on Dec. 16, Pearson again points out the harmful ingredients.
"If you try to read the chemicals on the back of the wet wipe package, you won't be able to pronounce them," he says.
And in reality, you don't need them.
"Just use water to clean up if you feel gross," Pearson advises.
2 | Use Preparation H or hemorrhoid cream
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Pearson also advises his TikTok followers to skip Preparation H and other creams for hemorrhoids. (According to Mayo Clinic, hemorrhoids are "swollen veins in the anus and lower rectum," which can develop inside the rectum or under the skin around the anus.)
These swollen veins can be uncomfortable, and you may be tempted to try some over-the-counter treatments as a first line of defense. But according to Pearson, you're doing yourself a disservice.
"It's greasy, it doesn't work, and it costs a lot of money," he says of the Preparation H. brand.
In another video, Pearson notes that these creams and treatments won't work for internal or external hemorrhoids and recommends that people see a colorectal surgeon for an evaluation if concerns arise.
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3 | Do a colon cleanse
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Pearson also advises against doing a colon cleanse.
"People try to clear the poop out of their colon, and guess what's supposed to be in your colon? Poop. It's fine, leave it alone," he says.
Gastroenterologist Michael F. Picco, MD, PhD, reiterated this in response to a query via Mayo Clinic. He noted that alternative medicine practitioners sometimes offer this service to remove toxins.
However, detoxing isn't recommended or needed for any medical condition, and there's little evidence to support the purported benefits of colon cleansing, according to Picco.
"Some alternative medicine professionals believe that toxins from the digestive tract can cause headaches, arthritis and other conditions," Picco wrote. "They think that colon cleansing removes toxins and boosts energy or the immune system. But there's no evidence that colon cleansing offers these helpful effects."
What's worse, colon cleansing poses risks, including GI issues, colitis, blocked intestines, and dehydration, among other side effects.
4 | Assume something is a hemorrhoid
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With so much information available at our fingertips these days, it's tempting to self-diagnose and treat yourself for issues without making a doctor's appointment. But Pearson says you shouldn't jump to conclusions about potential hemorrhoids.
"I would not ever assume that what I'm feeling is a hemorrhoid," he says. "Just go see a doctor and have somebody check it out."
