Anal Itching is something we’ve all experienced at one point or another. It ranges from somewhat itchy to severe, almost painful feeling inside or around the anus. In some mild cases, the anal itching was not triggered by anything in particular and will likely disappear as quickly as it came. However, in more noticeable cases, something definitely caused the anal itching and without some sort of treatment, the discomfort is likely to continue.
By identifying the cause of your anal itching, you can find the best treatment and learn how to prevent further bouts of itchiness. For example, anal itching could be the sign of a hemorrhoid that might continue to worsen if left untreated. Once you identify that hemorrhoids are the cause, you can decide if you’d like to stick with at-home treatments for temporary relief, or go for a doctor-administered treatment option like CRH O’Regan banding procedure – a hemorrhoid treatment that can actually get rid of severe anal itching for good. But whether it’s hemorrhoids or some other cause, it’s important to learn the triggers of anal itching and ways you can prevent it.
Skin Irritation
Any number of your every-day actions might be causing skin irritation and an itchy anus. Sometimes high moisture levels, whether it’s from sweating, allergies, or diarrhea, can cause the anus to itch. Other causes could be the use of harsh soaps, wiping too much or too hard with toilet paper, or simply the laundry detergent you use. If you tend to have sensitive skin, either one of these could be the reason for your anal itching. Try a gentle cleanser instead of soap or switch to a detergent that’s made for sensitive skin and see if you notice a difference.
Eating Habits
While too much spicy food can lead to diarrhea, not getting enough fiber in your diet can lead to constipation – both of which cause anal itching. Whether it’s coffee, chocolate, citrus fruits, or nuts, anything that you know might cause distress to your digestive system should be avoided.
Hemorrhoids
Usually a result of straining too much during bowel movements, hemorrhoids are notoriously associated with anal itching. Any of the causes mentioned above can make hemorrhoid symptoms worse including diarrhea, too much or too little wiping after a bowel movement, not getting enough fiber in your diet, etc. Hemorrhoids rarely just go away for good, so it’s important to find a doctor and schedule a consultation if you’re concerned that your hemorrhoids are getting worse.
Infections or diseases
Any infections around the anal area such as yeast infections can cause anal itching as well as diseases such as Psoriasis or Dermatitis.
For additional information about anal itching including other causes and available treatments, contact a CRH O’Regan physician.
