What can you do to lessen hemorrhoid discomfort?

Thanks to all for the responses. It turns out my mom was constipated late last week and was straining to go on Friday. She was supposed to be on a stool softener (she's back on it now) as a matter of routine, but it appears she had a couple of days without. Got the Prep H and also Tucks wipes, which have been quite helpful with the discomfort. I am waiting to see how she's doing today. Yesterday she was able to come downstairs for lunch, but by evening her hemorrhoids were back out and bothering her a lot, so she did not come down to dinner.

The Preparation H also comes in suppositories to treat internal hemorrhoids and are quite helpful in treating them.

We used Preparation H for Dad. I think you can buy wipes with it now.

Any issues with constipation or diarrhea? That always makes things worse. Cleanliness is important with the external kind and dry TP can be irritating, so opt for moist wipes (I would choose baby wipes vs the supposedly flushable ones). Sitz baths can be soothing. And yes, Pep H is good too.