Pruritis Ani - 'Itchy Bottom'
What Is It?
Pruritus ani is itching around the anal area. This condition causes a compelling urge to scratch. It is very common and often very frustrating.
What are the symptoms?
· Anal itching,
· Burning,
· Soreness or pain in the anal area.
What caused it?
Several factors can cause anal itching. The causes are different in everybody. Sometimes no underlying cause can be found.
Most commonly it occurs because of a small amount of leakage of bowel motion or mucus from the anus on to the anal skin. This can be caused by a number of factors including;
· Infections
· Haemorrhoids
· Anal fissures
· Anal fistulas
· Inflammatory bowel disease
· Skin disorders like eczema
· Rarely anal tumours.
What is the treatment?
A number of lifestyle changes can be useful including;
· Avoiding moister around the anus.
· Avoid chemicals, soap and creams in the anal area.
· Use soft, undyed toilet papers.
· Pat dry with a towel rather than rubbing.
· Wear loose cotton underwear.
· Wash underwear in non-biological detergents.
· Diet changes including avoiding caffine.
What is the outcome?
This can be a difficult problem to treat.
The skin has often been irritated for sometime and treatment can take several months to work.
Patience is required.
What Is It?
Pruritus ani is itching around the anal area. This condition causes a compelling urge to scratch. It is very common and often very frustrating.
What are the symptoms?
· Anal itching,
· Burning,
· Soreness or pain in the anal area.
What caused it?
Several factors can cause anal itching. The causes are different in everybody. Sometimes no underlying cause can be found.
Most commonly it occurs because of a small amount of leakage of bowel motion or mucus from the anus on to the anal skin. This can be caused by a number of factors including;
· Infections
· Haemorrhoids
· Anal fissures
· Anal fistulas
· Inflammatory bowel disease
· Skin disorders like eczema
· Rarely anal tumours.
What is the treatment?
A number of lifestyle changes can be useful including;
· Avoiding moister around the anus.
· Avoid chemicals, soap and creams in the anal area.
· Use soft, undyed toilet papers.
· Pat dry with a towel rather than rubbing.
· Wear loose cotton underwear.
· Wash underwear in non-biological detergents.
· Diet changes including avoiding caffine.
What is the outcome?
This can be a difficult problem to treat.
The skin has often been irritated for sometime and treatment can take several months to work.
Patience is required.