Anal itching. Causes and Treatment (2).
3 min read
Don’t scratch. Scratching further irritates your skin. You may find some relief by applying a moist, room-temperature compress to the area or taking a lukewarm oatmeal bath. Trim your nails short and wear cotton gloves while you’re sleeping to help prevent scratching. Wear white cotton underwear that don’t bind. This helps keep the area dry. Avoid wearing pantyhose and other tight fitting garments because these can trap moisture.
Avoid irritants. Avoid bubble baths, genital deodorants, harsh or perfumed soaps, and moist wipes. Use white, unscented toilet paper. Change your diet. Cut back on or avoid coffee, cola, alcohol, citrus fruits, chocolate, spicy foods, tomatoes and foods that may cause diarrhea. Avoid overuse of laxatives.
Apply ointments or gels. Protect the affected skin from moisture by applying a thin layer of a zinc oxide ointment (Desitin, Balmex) or petroleum jelly (Vaseline). If needed, apply hydrocortisone 1 percent cream two to three times a day for a brief period to relieve symptoms.
Maintain regular, firm bowel movements. If soft stools or frequent bowel movements are a problem, gradually adding fiber to your diet may help. Fiber supplements such as psyllium (Metamucil) and methylcellulose (Citrucel) also may help.
Preparing for your appointment: Often you won’t need to see a doctor about anal itching. If the itching persists even after taking self-care measures, mention it to your primary care doctor. He or she may refer you to a skin specialist (dermatologist) or a doctor who specializes in treating rectal and anal problems (proctologist). Here’s some information to help you get ready for your appointment.
What you can do: Before your appointment make a list of: Symptoms you’ve been having, including any that may seem unrelated to anal itching. How long you’ve been experiencing your symptoms: All medications, vitamins and supplements you take, including the doses:
Questions to ask your doctor: For anal itching, some basic questions to ask your doctor include: What’s the most likely cause of my symptoms? What tests do I need? Is this problem temporary? What treatments are available? Which do you recommend? Do you think I need to see a specialist? Do you have any brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What websites do you recommend?
What to expect from your doctor: Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, such as:
Have your symptoms been continuous, or do they come and go? How severe are your symptoms? Have you had recent changes in your bowel movements, such as diarrhea? What type of soap or other products do you use on your body? Does anything seem to improve your symptoms? What, if anything, worsens your symptoms?
Have you noticed any other changes in your general health? Are others in the home experiencing a similar itch? What you can do in the meantime. Cleanse the anal area gently immediately after bowel movements and dry thoroughly. Wear cotton underwear and loose clothing. Try not to scratch.
Concluded.
Source: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition.
