Is It Normal to Have an Itchy Anus?

Seemingly everyone experiences an itchy anus from time to time. Your anus is the opening at the bottom of your gastrointestinal tract, where your waste leaves your body as stools or feces. When you have anal itching, the sensation can occur inside or around your anus. In many cases, your symptoms worsen at night and can even interfere with your ability to sleep.

Even though having some anal itching can be normal, your symptoms shouldn’t be severe, persistent, or include:

• Bleeding
• Leaking stool
• Signs of infection
• No obvious cause 

As an anorectal specialist, Dr. Betsy Clemens brings the most advanced treatments available for issues causing anal itching. Learn what causes an itchy anus and how you can find relief at Midwest Hemorrhoid Treatment Center in Creve Coeur, Missouri.

Issues that cause anal itching

Anal itching can develop for several reasons, from skin problems and irritation to medical conditions. 

Skin conditions or infections

Skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or contact dermatitis aren’t for your hands, arms, or face alone; they can develop around your anus, too. You can also experience anal itching if you have a yeast infection, sexually transmitted disease, or parasite like pinworms.

Irritation

The sensitive skin around your anus can grow irritated for several reasons. Not only can issues with chronic diarrhea or fecal incontinence affect this area, but you can even develop symptoms from your hygiene practices, especially from using harsh soaps and wipes or washing too vigorously.

Medical conditions

You can also develop anal itching from an underlying medical condition, like thyroid disease, diabetes, and hemorrhoids. Sometimes an itchy anus can also come from an anal tumor.

It’s also possible to have persistent anal itching without an obvious cause.

Treating anal itching

Whether your anal itching is mild or severe, Dr. Clemens can get your symptoms under control to increase your comfort.

First, Dr. Clemens diagnoses the cause of your anal itching by performing a comprehensive exam, discussing your symptoms, and reviewing your personal hygiene and medical history. Based on the cause of your symptoms, she might recommend a combination of treatments to address your specific condition.

Common approaches to managing anal itching include:

• Not scratching 
• Using anti-itch creams or skin protectants as directed
• Gently cleansing the area with plain water or mild soap
• Avoiding potential irritants, like harsh soaps, moist wipes, or bubble baths
• Eliminating foods that can cause diarrhea, like coffee, alcohol, and chocolate
• Increasing your fiber intake to support regular, firm bowel movements
• Wearing white cotton underwear and avoiding pantyhose or other articles of tight clothing

If hemorrhoids or another medical condition is causing your anal itching, Dr. Clemens can provide specific treatment options or put you in touch with an expert for additional solutions.

To find relief for anal itching, call us at Midwest Hemorrhoid Treatment Center at 636-228-3136 to book your appointment, or send us a message requesting a call back here on our website.