Itching of the anus

General

Itching of the anus can be a harmless symptom, which occurs occasionally and for a short time and then disappears on its own after a short time. The urge to scratch the anus itch to relieve itching is very strong, but not always helpful. An itching or burning sensation in the anus can also indicate various and sometimes serious diseases. Itching of the anus is relatively common, but it is a symptom that people do not like to talk about. Medically, the itching of the anus is called Pruitus Ani. In many cases, the itching is accompanied by a burning sensation or scratching leads to anus burning due to the itching.

If the anus is itchy repeatedly, it should always be examined by a doctor. Many different factors can cause itching, such as eating certain foods or stress. In children, the most common cause of intense itching of the anus (especially at night) is worm disease.

Various factors promote itchy skin in the anus. The skin on the anus is folded over one another in several layers, with moist, warm and oxygen-poor areas forming in these skin folds. These tend to crack and at the same time offer ideal conditions for germs to multiply. This is aggravated by the contact with stool and urine as well as by very overweight (obesity).

Also read the article: itching at night.

Symptoms

The anus itching is usually perceived as very intense and uncomfortable. In the further course, the itching can spread to the female labia or the male testicles. The itching is usually so severe that scratching is attempted to get relief. Scratching is often successful in the short term, but in the long term in many cases the symptoms deteriorate and the itching intensifies. In addition, strong scratching can cause skin injuries and so-called anal eczema, an itchy rash on the anus, can develop. If such a rash occurs, the itching as well as skin irritation and burning sensation increase.

The causes of itching on the anus

Itching of the anus can be caused by a variety of factors. These can be relatively harmless allergic reactions and hygienic deficiencies or infections with various pathogens and other anorectal diseases. These are diseases that affect the rectum and anus. A relatively common cause of anal itching is inadequate anal hygiene. If stool remains on the anus, inflammatory skin irritations and the associated burning itching quickly develop. However, excessive and aggressive hygiene can also be a possible cause of the itching. Ingredients of soaps, creams or detergents as well as printed and scented toilet paper can also lead to allergic reactions of the skin in the anal area. Mechanical irritation from rough toilet paper, long cycling or unsuitable underwear can damage the surface of the skin, which can also lead to itching. In addition, the development of inflammatory processes is favored. Under certain circumstances, even after eating very spicy food such as chilli, there may be an unpleasant itching and burning sensation during excretion. However, these complaints are usually short-term and do not last any longer.

Pathogens such as bacteria, fungi or viruses can attack the skin around the anus and lead to itchy rashes with redness, blisters and flaking.Usually only the upper layers of the skin are affected, but scratching can lead to the pathogens being carried into the deeper layers of the skin and even life-threatening blood poisoning.

An infection with pinworms is also common. The worms normally live in the intestine and only leave it when the female pinworms lay their eggs in the area around the anus, which leads to severe itching. Sometimes the infection is accompanied by symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, fever, nausea, and vomiting. There is a high risk of infection, as the highly infectious eggs stick to the fingers when scratched and can be passed on. There are special anti-worm medications that are prescribed by a doctor in the event of pinworm infestation.

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Hemorrhoids and anal fissures

hemorrhoids occur very frequently and represent a pathological change in the vascular cushions around the anus. They serve to close the anus and prevent the involuntary leakage of stool. The tissue weakened by various factors and with increasing age, which can lead to a pathological enlargement of the hemorrhoids. Since the anus is no longer adequately closed, more stool escapes, which can lead to inflammatory skin irritation in the anal area and corresponding itching.

A Anal fissure designated Tears in the anal mucosawhich in most cases is manifested by severe pain. Anal fissures arise, for example, from a too hard stool consistency or certain Sexual practices like anal intercourse when the tissue structure of the anal mucosa is already weakened. A very painful burning sensation occurs, especially during and after a bowel movement, as the open wound is irritated. If the anal fissure heals over time, this is usually accompanied by severe itching. Scratching should be avoided at all costs, as this can reopen the wound.
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It usually occurs in both hemorrhoidal disorders and anal fissures bright red blood residue on the toilet paper.

Therapy of itching on the anus

Scratching should be avoided at all costs in order to avoid worsening symptoms and worsening of the anus itching. The treatment of the itching depends on the respective causes of the symptoms. For example, by not using certain cosmetics or hygiene products, allergic reactions can be avoided. It is then recommended to thoroughly clean the anus with clear water and without detergent when showering. A change in anal hygiene is useful and recommended in many cases in the event of itching in order to reduce the symptoms. If inflammatory skin irritations have developed in the anal area, they are usually treated with creams or ointments containing glucocorticoids. In the case of longer-term requirements, the ingredient ammonium bituminosulfonate is usually switched to, as glucocorticoids should only be used for a short time.

A very common cause of itching in the anus is hemorrhoidal disease, which is usually treated with suppositories, ointments, creams, gauze pads or anal tampons. It is also very important to change your diet (lots of fiber and lots of fluids) to affect stool consistency and relieve pressure on the hemorrhoids when defecating. In the case of an anal fissure, the stool should also be kept as soft as possible. Severe pain can be avoided with ointments containing local anesthetics (Local anesthetics) included. An infection in the anal area is also treated with topical creams or ointments. Bacterial infections are treated accordingly with antibiotic agents, viral infections with antivirals, and fungal infections with antifungal agents. A parasitic infection with pinworms, for example, is treated with special drugs against worms, which cause the worms to die. In addition, the fingernails should be kept short so that no worm eggs can stick, the underwear should be changed several times a day and a daily change of bed linen is a sensible measure in case of worm infestation.

Surgical interventions are also necessary for various causes of itching in the anus, which measures are ultimately used depends heavily on the individual symptoms of the person concerned.

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diagnosis

There are a variety of causes for anus itching, which is why it is repeated or persistent Specialist or a so-called Proctologist should be visited. An initial assessment of the complaints can be based on the Medical history (anamnese) respectively.

A proctological examination is also carried out. The anal area is scanned and the skin of the anus region is carefully examined. It may be necessary to have a endoscopic examination perform. Various diseases such as hemorrhoids or anal fissures can be clearly diagnosed and possibly also treated. In addition, a Tissue sample (biopsy), which can be important, for example, if cancer is suspected.

In some cases a smear made in order to detect a possible infection of the anal area with bacteria, viruses or fungi in a subsequent laboratory examination. Usually a Stool sample examines what can be used to diagnose a pinworm infection, for example. A blood test can also be useful if there is a suspicion of systemic diseases or a possible vitamin deficiency.

Forecast and duration

Since there are many different causes of anus itching, the intensity and duration of the symptoms can vary significantly depending on the cause. In some cases the unpleasant itching occurs only for a short time, whereas in other cases the itching can last for a few days and can be perceived as very painful due to additional burning. There can also be many more, depending on the cause of the anus itching Concomitant symptoms such as an irritant rash that often lengthens the healing process.