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MANAGING YOUR
ANAL ITCHING
Anal itching, or pruritus ani, is a burning
or itching of the anus and skin around it.
It’s common and affects both sexes and
people of all ages. People with diabetes
may have more risk of getting this
condition.
What Is Anal Itching?
Anal itching has the medical name pruritus ani. It’s a burning
or itching of the anus and skin around it. It’s common and
affects both sexes and people of all ages. People with diabetes
may have more risk of getting this condition. Treatment can
control symptoms, but the problem can come back.
What Causes Anal Itching?
Often, the cause is unknown. The many causes include infections with yeast, herpesvirus, human papillomavirus (HPV,
which causes genital warts), pinworms, mites (which cause
scabies), and lice. Skin conditions, such as contact dermatitis,
psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis, may start as anal itching.
Soaps, contraceptive jellies and foams, scented toilet paper,
deodorant sprays, and douches can cause contact dermatitis.
People with chronic diarrhea may have itching. Diseases of the
rectum, such as hemorrhoids, fissures (tears), fistulas, and rectal
prolapse, may cause itching. Women near or after menopause
(change of life) may have itching caused by vaginal discharge or
low estrogen levels.
Possible causes include
Psoriasis
Menopausal
women
Diarrhea
What Are the Symptoms of Anal Itching?
Symptoms include itching, redness of skin around the anus,
and skin abrasions caused by scratching. Itching is often intense
and worse at night. Skin thickening and chronic inflammation
(swelling, redness) can occur. Damaged skin can get a bacterial
infection.
Hemorrhoids
Symptoms include itching (worse at night),
redness of skin around the anus, and skin
abrasions caused by scratching. Skin
thickening and chronic inflammation
can occur.
How Is Anal Itching Diagnosed?
Your doctor makes a
diagnosis from symptoms
and an examination of the
rectum and the skin
surrounding it. Laboratory
and microscopic studies
are sometimes needed to
identify fungi, eggs,
or mites.
Copyright ¢ 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc.
The doctor makes a diagnosis from symptoms and an examination of the rectum and the skin surrounding it. Laboratory
studies are sometimes needed to identify fungi. Examinations
with a microscope may be needed to look for pinworm eggs or
mites in skin.
Ferri’s Netter Patient Advisor 1
MANAGING YOUR ANAL ITCHING
The key to treatment is self-care and avoiding things
that lead to itching. Keep the area clean, cool, and
dry. Over-the-counter hydrocortisone ointment or
cream can control mild itching. It’s applied three
times a day, but not for more than 5 days. If these
medicines don’t help, the doctor may
prescribe stronger drugs.
Lose weight if you’re overweight.
How Is Anal Itching Treated?
The key to treatment is self-care and avoiding the things that
lead to itching. Keep the area clean, cool, and dry. Over-thecounter hydrocortisone ointment or cream can control itching.
It’s applied three times a day, rubbed in gently until it disappears. Hydrocortisone shouldn’t be used for longer than 5 days
because it may cause more irritation and damage the skin.
If over-the-counter medicine doesn’t help, the doctor may
prescribe a stronger topical cortisone or other drugs. Yeast, herpes, genital warts, scabies, and infections with pinworms and
lice must be treated with the right medicines. Rectal diseases
may need other treatments.
DOs and DON’Ts in Managing Anal Itching:
DO keep the area clean, cool, and dry.
DO use plain, unscented soaps.
DO clean the area with moistened unscented tissue
Wear loose-fitting clothing and cotton
underwear. Don’t overdo activities that
could cause the area to get too wet
or sweaty.
or tufts of cotton after bowel movements.
DO lose weight if you’re overweight.
DO wear loose clothing and cotton underwear.
DO use tampons for your periods. They may be more
comfortable than sanitary napkins.
DO call your doctor if the area seems to be infected.
DO call your doctor if you have a fever or if symptoms
continue even with self-care.
Don’t eat spicy or highly seasoned
foods that may irritate the area.
Don’t use laxatives.
X DON’T have contact with irritating substances that can
cause itching.
X DON’T wear tight-fitting underwear made from synthetic materials.
X DON’T overdo activities that could cause the area to get
too wet or sweaty.
X DON’T eat spicy or highly seasoned foods that may
irritate the area.
X DON’T use laxatives.
Call your doctor if you have
a fever if symptoms continue
even with self-care.
FROM THE DESK OF
NOTES
2 Ferri’s Netter Patient Advisor
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact the following source:
s American Academy of Dermatology
Tel: (847) 330-0230, (866) 503-7546
Website: http://www.aad.org
Copyright ¢ 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc.