The anal area can be affected by various irritations and pathologies that cause itching or pain. Being a delicate area also adds the shame of talking about it. We explain the causes of these alterations and what is the best way to act in each case.
- Itching in the anus: most frequent causes
- Itching in the anus: natural home remedies (depending on the symptoms)
- How to relieve itching in the anus?
Itching and pain are always unpleasant, but if symptoms occur in the anus, many affected people are also embarrassed. Simple hygienic measures often help eliminate discomfort. In this article you will discover what lies behind anal itching: its causes and most effective natural treatments.
ITCHING IN THE ANUS: MOST FREQUENT CAUSES
There are many circumstances that can cause itching in the anus. These are the most common.
- Itching in the anus due to inflammatory irritation. The most frequent cause of itching in the anus is inflammatory irritation of the mucosa and skin, which usually occurs due to rubbing and moisture after exercise, especially cycling or horseback riding.
- Insufficient or excessive hygiene. The other frequent cause is hygiene, whether it is insufficient or excessive. Stool debris causes irritation, but soaps can also attack the delicate skin of the anus. If anal inflammation is not treated, there may be a risk of anal eczema or fistula, which may require surgical intervention.
- Itching in the anus from hemorrhoids or inflammation of a blood vessel in the anus. These can cause itching and pain. The blood vessel may rupture and red spots will be seen on toilet paper or underwear.
- Itching in the anus by worms. It is not uncommon in young children. Parasites leave the body through the anus, and then lay their eggs, which sometimes causes severe itching and the child scratches insistently.
- A tear in the skin or anal fissure can also stain with blood.
- Anal abscess or fistula. If purulent discharge is observed, it may be an anal abscess or fistula that have become infected.
- Contact allergy. The origin of itching in the anus can also be a contact allergy (the material of the clothing can be the trigger) or an autoimmune process (psoriasis).
- Thyroid disease and diabetes can occur with itching, also in the anus.
- Other causes. In rare cases, more serious diseases should also be considered, for example, an inflammation of the last part of the intestine (inflammation of the rectum or proctitis), inflammatory bowel disease or even an anal tumor. In some cases, it is not possible to discover the cause.
ITCHING IN THE ANUS: NATURAL HOME REMEDIES (DEPENDING ON THE SYMPTOMS)
Here is a basic guide to alterations that may occur in the anal area. The presence of any of the symptoms described in a problem does not allow an accurate self-diagnosis, as different disorders can occur with similar symptoms. In case of doubt or if the measures do not provide improvement, you should always go to the doctor.
SHARP PAIN IN THE ANUS WHEN WALKING, FEELING WET, SWELLING, AND REDNESS OF THE SKIN
The cause is usually anal inflammation. To avoid it, if you practice horse riding or cycling, you can wear special underwear with pads. If you sweat a lot, change your underwear several times a day. After cleaning yourself you can apply a greasy ointment to the anal area (a natural baby diaper cream with zinc oxide and calendula extract is ideal).
ITCHING AT NIGHT IN THE ANUS, MAINLY IN CHILDREN OR PEOPLE IN CONTACT WITH CHILDREN
The culprits are most likely pinworms (parasites). It is necessary to go to the family doctor as soon as possible. The treatment is effective and resolves within a few days.
INTENSE ITCHING THAT COMES AND GOES
This type of itching, which does not appear in relation to defecation, can appear more frequently at night and is usually due to a skin reaction to moisture, anal eczema or an allergic reaction.
- Pay attention to good anal hygiene
- Use only water, without gel, to wash
- Avoid scratching
- Use undyed and fragrance-free toilet paper
- Wears cotton underwear
If the symptoms persist it is necessary to go to the doctor to make a diagnosis.
ITCHING OR PAIN, PUS, PALPABLE LUMPS IN THE ANAL REGION, BLOOD
If blood appears it is red and the discomfort worsens with bowel movements. It may be a hemorrhoid or a chronic fissure (tear in the mucosa). You need to be seen by your doctor to make a proper diagnosis. In the meantime, you can take the following steps:
- Warm sitz baths with chamomile or oak bark extract
- Pay attention to good anal hygiene
- Keep stools soft (drink a lot and eat high-fiber foods)
STABBING PAIN IN THE ANUS DURING BOWEL MOVEMENTS
It is usually accompanied by hard stools that require effort. A feeling of pressure is noticeable. The causes are a recent anal fissure, a fold (plicoma) or an anal narrowing (anal stenosis). A visit to the doctor is necessary. Meanwhile, you can take the same measures as in the previous point.
SUDDEN, VERY SEVERE ANAL PAIN, LARGE LUMP
The pain may prevent you from walking or sitting. The lump may be large like a cherry on the anal edge and the blood is bluish-red. Do not worry, it is most likely a perianal thrombosis that does not carry a greater risk, but it is necessary to go to the doctor to treat the pain and perform proper care.
VERY PAINFUL INFLAMMATION OF THE ANUS, OFTEN WITH FEVER
It may be an anal abscess. Go to the emergency room.
ITCHING OF THE ANUS WITH PURULENT DISCHARGE
Pus stains may appear in underwear. It may hurt when defecating and deposits of pus may be seen in the stool. The cause is an anal fistula, a complication of an anal abscess. It is necessary to go to the doctor.
PERSISTENT ANAL PAIN, BURNING, ITCHING, AND PUS
In addition to these symptoms, pain increases during and after defecation. Bright red blood may appear. The causes can be:
- Inflammation of the rectum (proctitis).
- Chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
- Chemical or mechanical aggressions, for example, application of suppositories, frequent enemas, laxatives, etc.
- Infections with viruses, fungi, or bacteria.
It is necessary to go to the doctor to make a diagnosis.
ITCHING AND/OR PAIN IN THE ANUS WITH A FOREIGN BODY SENSATION WHEN DEFECATING
Bright red blood or mucus may also appear in your stool: You may have trouble holding stool if you try. The causes can range from hemorrhoids to rectal or anal prolapse. It is necessary to go to the doctor. In the meantime, keep your stools soft (drink a lot and eat high-fiber foods).
INCREASING DULL ACHE AND FEVER
The pain affects the anal and perineal region and the groin. There is frequent need to urinate (burning). It may be acute prostatis. It is necessary to go to the emergency room.
SHOOTING PAINS IN THE ANAL AREA AND COCCYX
The discomfort can present as contractions that last 10-20 minutes and may be a spasm of the anal sphincter. It is necessary to go to the doctor. Meanwhile:
- Take sitz baths
- Apply moderate heat
- Practice some relaxation technique
ONGOING PAIN WITH TIGHTNESS OR BURNING
The discomfort affects the anus and coccyx, which is very sensitive to pressure. It may be coccydynia (inflammation of the coccyx). It is necessary to go to the doctor. While you can apply the measures that in the previous point.
HOW TO RELIEVE ITCHING IN THE ANUS?
PROPER CLEANING
If stool residues remain around the anus, they can quickly inflame the skin. Cleaning yourself insistently is just as irritating, because the friction of toilet paper and the ingredients in soaps and wet wipes stress the skin.
Therefore, avoid cleaning yourself too hard. If you have discomfort, use a cotton pad or washcloth moistened in warm water. It is best to never apply soap.
WEAR APPROPRIATE CLOTHING
Sweat, moisture and rubbing can irritate the skin, causing or aggravating discomfort. Acute triggers are usually long walks, horseback riding or cycling, especially when sweat is not removed from the skin due to tight clothing and synthetic clothing.
Therefore, wear loose-fitting clothing, made with natural materials such as cotton and linen and change sweaty underwear several times a day if necessary. If possible, shower more often. If you are traveling, a washcloth will serve to eliminate dry sweat.
If you ride a bike, you can wear padded pants, whose pads distribute pressure.
AVOIDANCE DIET
You know the saying “chili always burns twice?” Some foods not only cause a burning sensation in the mouth due to their spicy or acidity, but also irritate the mucous membranes of the anus during bowel movements.
In addition to chili, high-proof alcoholic beverages, coffee, cola, chocolate, tomatoes, citrus fruits or milk can cause discomfort in some people. Allergic reactions can also be felt in the anus.
To find out if you react to certain foods or care products, you can try to avoid them for a while to see what happens.
Laxative drugs can also cause irritation. It is best to control constipation with hydration and proper nutrition.
RELIEVE INFLAMMATION
If you already have symptoms, know the source of the problem and it is mild, you can treat inflamed or irritated areas. Warm sitz baths with anti-inflammatory chamomile extracts have been shown to be effective.
Then, dry gently, but thoroughly, because persistent moisture feeds the inflammatory process. It is good to walk without clothes for a few minutes, that way the skin dries better. If you suffer from oozing eczema, white clay powders for babies help keep the affected areas dry.
