Anal inflammation

General

An inflammation of the anus is roughly an inflammatory swelling of the Anal region.

Popularly this type of inflammation is also "Wolf" called, in technical language they are called Anitis or Anal eczema.
Anitis can strong pain cause above all that Sit or the bowel movement an agonizing affair. Patients suffering from anal inflammation are often severely restricted in their everyday life as it is plagued by itching and pain. The anitis can run in different degrees, which are divided into one akute, subacute and chronic Progressive form.
It should be emphasized that the anitis in itself is not an independent disease but rather due to other diseases in the area of ​​the Afters or rectum.
It is a sequel to that of various others mushroom- or bacterial diseases as well as dermatological complaints can occur.

Anus inflammation is a common condition. The Dark figure The number of cases occurring annually is even higher, since going to the doctor is associated with a high feeling of shame. To this day, diseases of the anal area are still taboo.

Anatomy of the anus

Of the nach or anus called is the exit gate of the Intestinal canal from our body.

Through in leaves the undigested food our body. By means of those around him Musculature we continued the intestinal peristalsis.
Of the sphincter controlled like that arbitrarily when the feces are allowed to leave our intestines.

Of the Canalis analis Human (anal canal) is divided into three sections. From the inside out: 1. Columnar zone, 2. Intermedia zone and 3. Cutaneous zone.
Our anal opening is from two sphincters secured. On the one hand, there is the internal sphincter (Internal anal sphincter muscle) which is influenced involuntarily and represents a strengthening of the intestinal wall. Our external sphincter (External ani sphincter muscle), on the other hand, can be influenced arbitrarily.
Both sphincters together make that Continence organ our body. The skin around our anus is equipped with sweat, sebum glands and hair.

Forms of anal inflammation

Anitis or anal eczema can be roughly divided into three different forms. 1. Cumulative toxic anal eczema, 2. Contact allergic anal eczema and 3. Atopic anal eczema.

Re 1 .: Cumulative toxic anal eczema:

About 30% of the occurring anal eczema belong to the cumulative-toxic form.
The main symptoms here are the netting of the anus and extensive reddened skin in the anal area. A variety of underlying diseases can trigger the cumulative toxic form. These include hemorrhids, parasitoses, profuse sweating (Hyperhidrosis) but also incorrect anal hygiene. Another trigger can be an anatomical malformation.
'The funnel anus, for example, can represent such a malformation, with the anus lying very deep between the buttocks. However, 80% of the hemorrhoids make up the course of a cumulative-toxic anitis. In this form, the underlying disease leads to an accumulation of fluid in the anal area. The increased accumulation of fluid can lead to irritation of the skin, which can trigger the symptoms of anal eczema.

2. Contact allergic anal eczema:

About 40% of all anal eczema are caused by the contact allergic form. It represents a special form of contact allergy that can be triggered by different substances. Our skin in the anal area can react allergically to various substances, for example in toilet paper, wet wipes, intimate sprays or other care products.

To 3. Atopic anal eczema:

Atopic anal eczema accounts for around 20% -30% of all anal eczema. In a more precise sense, it is a variant of neurodermatitis. Atopic eczema is a chronic and non-contagious skin disease. The anus region is a typical manifestation point for the development of atopic eczema.

causes

The Causes of Anal Eczema can be different.

Reference should be made here to the various types and distinctions. As noted above, the most common cause is one external irritation of the skin.
They have an intensifying effect on the development of inflammation excessive sweating, Traumatization the skin (for example from toilet paper) and one decreased anal hygiene.

It is also important to know that one too excessive anal hygiene can trigger inflammation, as the skin is more stressed here. Other causes can be hemorrhoids or a Anal prolapse be.

Will the skin Germs and can be damaged in the area of ​​the anus bacteria enter more easily and thus trigger an unwanted inflammation.
Also allergic reaction can cause anus inflammation. At a allergy the body (in this case the skin) reacts to a foreign substance with a specific immunological reaction. This form is called allergic contact eczema designated. A so-called sensitization phase is required for the development of allergic contact eczema.
If the body is exposed to the product again after this sensitization phase, it reacts with allergic signs which can be expressed in inflammation. The body reacts allergically to substances such as Lidocaine, Policresulen, Chamomile Extract, Mafenid and Cinchocaine. Such substances are increasingly in Hygiene products to find. Here it is not decisive how long our body is exposed to these substances.
Often just a short period of contact can trigger an inflammatory reaction. Please also note that you will be allergy-free for years allergy triggering substances can react before an inflammatory reaction occurs. When anal eczema occurs, one must consider that there is always an underlying disease that can trigger inflammation. These can be varied and should be clarified by the doctor in order to find a suitable therapy.

Symptoms

The symptoms of anus inflammation can vary.

Often, however, those affected describe the beginning with a severe itching goes hand in hand. Scratching creates here hardly any relief and can only make the situation worse. So it can too Vacancies come that can trigger a burning sensation in the anus region.

Anoint or increased hygiene measures only lead to a limited degree of relief when itching occurs. In the further course of the disease it can lead to a Swelling of the anus come. This swelling can often be felt by yourself and is another warning sign to consult a doctor.
In exceptional cases, the affected area can also wet kick off (Pruritus ani) or bleeding. Patients often feel violent Pain which do not subside even in the posture. Sitting or having a bowel movement can make this pain worse.

At the doctor often becomes one Redness of the affected area. Both the acute and chronic forms of anitis are characterized by a sharply delimited reddening. In the case of chronic inflammation of the anus, it can also increase Rhagades come (flat or punctiform skin erosions).

In some cases there is also a Maceration to observe. Maceration means the softening of the tissue. This can result from netting and skin-to-skin contact.

diagnosis

Investigating a suspected Anal eczema should always be done in a trustworthy framework with the doctor.

First there should be this one conversation give between them and the doctor. After describing the symptoms and one inspection The doctor will usually provide one digital rectal examination (manual examination of the rectum) carried out.

A suspected diagnosis can also be carried out by a histopathological Examination (examination of tissue under a microscope) can be confirmed. Histologically, these are common Acanthoses and Cancellations to find.
In deeper layers of the skin are sometimes too Lymph nodes infiltrated. Furthermore, a test should be carried out to rule out the most important contact allergies. Another diagnostic measure is the creation of a differential diagnosis in order to identify the actual underlying disease and to rule out other diseases.

Your doctor can help make diagnoses too Proctoscopy and rectoscopy apply.

therapy

The Aim of therapy it should always be to find and treat the underlying disease.

In order to be able to achieve rapid relief from acute symptoms Anoint and Creams be used. Hip baths can provide additional symptom relief. These are mostly disinfectant and astringent (anti-inflammatory, hemostatic and dehydrating).

It turns out that the inflammation is caused by a allergic reaction the respective contact allergens should be avoided.
To Cleaning the anal area it is recommended to use substances that have only a low allergenic potential. These can be special soaps, pure water or on certain oils be. At weeping anal eczema can be topical Glucocorticoids be used for a short time. A therapy of contact allergic eczema can be treated permanently with ointments such as ichthyol. Ichthyol has anti-inflammatory (anti-inflammatory) properties. Glucocorticoids work anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, immunosuppressive and also alleviate itching symptoms. It should be ensured that glucocorticoids are only used for short-term use and more likely in the longer term contrainducing are.

In some cases, a Diet change Provide relief. In many cases they are hemorrhoids the trigger. To do this, you should discuss a suitable therapy with your doctor to eliminate the underlying hemorrhoidal disease. Here it can be, among other things, the very large hemorrhoids operational must be removed.

If anitis occurs, those affected should pay particular attention hygiene respect, think highly of. However, it should be noted that in this case the cleaning of the anal area very carefully should be done to avoid further injury.

Complications

You should try to avoid inflammation if possible a doctor directly seek out one chronic course to avoid.

Is there a chronic Anal eczema before it can happen that a squamous cell carcinoma develops. If anal eczema does not subside even after the therapy has been carried out, you should have your doctor clarify whether it is Carcinoma of the anal canal could be a possible cause.

forecast

In order to make a forecast, the Underlying disease be treated.

In order to completely eliminate the disease it is often necessary to have one longer treatment perform. Becomes a Anal eczema if left untreated, it can become a chronic disease. If left untreated, permanent skin damage can occur.

prophylaxis

Prophylaxis is only possible to a limited extent, as triggers such as allergic reaction or hemorrhoids often cannot be avoided. Generally one is on adequate hygiene of the anal region to pay attention.Through hygienic measures, pathogens can be prevented from entering the anus. However, you should take into account that excessive hygiene can also be harmful to the skin.