Itching and burning in the anus - causes of irritation and its treatment

2023 Author: Alfred Shackley | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 13:14

There are a number of problems that are not customary to talk about in modern society. One of them is burning and itching in the anorectal region. People are ashamed to go to the doctor with such a problem. But this condition can be the result of serious illnesses.

And, by the way, the reasons for such feelings can be very serious. The cause of discomfort in the anus should be determined by the doctor based on the results of tests and during a personal examination. Treatment should also be prescribed by a specialist based on a comprehensive diagnosis.

Why does itch in the anus

Anal itching can be a sign of the presence of many pathologies.

There are such types of burning:

• Primary is an independent disease, it is hardly treatable, because specialists rarely manage to establish its cause;
• Secondary - is a symptom of another ailment, the discomfort in the anus will disappear if you cure this disease.

Personal hygiene

Failure to comply with basic rules of personal hygiene can cause discomfort, irritation and redness in the anorectal region. It is worth mentioning here not only infrequent washing, but also the rare change of linen, as well as the use of stiff toilet paper.

The condition can be further aggravated by problems in working with the intestines, anal fissures may appear and favorable conditions for the reproduction of fungi and bacteria in the perianal zone may arise. In this situation, itching and redness in the anus may indicate a secondary infection.

There is also another side of the coin. Excessive hygiene can also cause itching and burning in the anus of the cause.

Using a variety of cosmetic disinfectants and frequent washing can cause irritation and discomfort. local immunity is significantly reduced, and conditions are created for the penetration of various microorganisms into the rectum.

Proctological diseases

Proctological ailments that cause severe itching include:

• Chronic proctosigmoiditis - it is characterized by inflammation of the rectum and not only, because inflammation can affect other organs of the gastrointestinal tract. In this condition, it will be problematic for the doctor to make a diagnosis, because disturbances in the functioning of the digestive tract will lubricate the overall clinical picture;
• Malignant and benign tumors in the rectum;
• Hemorrhoids are a common cause of itching in the anorectal area. It increases the sensitivity of the lower intestine. This condition is accompanied not only by itching, but also by pain, and sometimes bleeding. There are times when a burning sensation appears during the treatment of hemorrhoids. This suggests that the patient is allergic to antihemorrhoidal suppositories or ointments. Cosmetic and hygiene products for the perianal area can also cause allergies;
• Often, unpleasant sensations can occur due to the presence of anal fissures. In this situation, sensations may increase after and during bowel movements. This is due to the fact that bacteria and feces enter the damaged tissue.

Other causes of burning and pain in the anus

There are other reasons that provoke burning, pain and itching in the anus, which are not related to problems with proctology:

• Diabetes;
• Skin diseases - genital herpes, scaly lichen, eczema, seborrheic dermatitis;
• Irritation and the appearance of ingrown hairs as a result of shaving in the intimate area;
• Dysbacteriosis of the intestine, the result of which is a change in the chemical composition of feces, due to which they can irritate the perianal region;
• Perianus polyps and warts;
• Disorders in the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, biliary tract as a result of certain pathologies, for example, giardiasis;
• Sexually transmitted infections such as pubic lice
• Itching of a neurogenic nature - it often appears in patients suffering from mixed diseases of the skin and the central nervous system (neurodermatitis, diathesis, and others);
• Diaper rash is a very common cause of discomfort. Most often, this affects people who often sweat, who are overweight and babies who wear poor-quality diapers;
• Burning sensation as a side effect of treatment with oral antibacterial drugs or saline laxatives.

There are other causes of itching in the anus, but they are less common.

Why does itching appear in the anus in babies?

Children, and sometimes adults, can become infected with worms, which will cause discomfort in the anorectal region. There are no visible symptoms of this ailment, both in adults and in children. You will notice that the child itches, complains of lethargy, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Burning sensation in the anal area in men

Men need to be especially attentive to the occurrence of itching, because it can be a symptom of infectious prostatitis. Bacteria from the genitourinary system enter the intestine and irritate it. But with this ailment, there will be other symptoms, such as problematic and painful urination, nocturia, and decreased sexual activity.

Discomfort in the anus in women

The described condition in women can occur as a result of various diseases of the urinary system of an infectious nature.

In addition to itching, there may also be vaginal discharge, lower abdominal pain, unpleasant odor, and problems with urination. Thrush in women is a common cause of a burning sensation in the anus. This condition is easily identified and amenable to quick and uncomplicated treatment.

The clinical picture of the disease in men and women

The clinical picture of the described condition may be different, it all depends on what influenced the development of the disease:

• If the patient has hemorrhoids, then in addition to itching and burning, symptoms such as pain during bowel movements, edematous anorectal region, bleeding (different in intensity), prolapse of hemorrhoids with external hemorrhoids will be observed;
• If the patient has anal fissures, then he will also feel pain during bowel movements and when moving hard feces through the intestines. Along with this, the patient may complain of the appearance of red blood from the anus.

Diagnostics

To reliably establish what caused a burning sensation in the anus, you need to know the following:

• In what cases do unpleasant sensations appear;
• What is it in intensity;
• How long these sensations last;
• Are there any other symptoms, such as pain, bleeding, and others;
• At what time of day or night itching occurs.

After talking with the patient and receiving answers to all these questions, the doctor directs the patient to the following tests:

• Blood test to determine the level of glucose;
• Coprogram - general analysis of feces with decoding;
• Analysis of feces for the presence of pathogenic microflora in them, as well as identification of the number of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli;
• Scraping on the egg-leaf;
• Genital swab;
• Examination by a proctologist, gynecologist, urologist;
• Sometimes a colonoscopy, angiography of the blood vessels of the pelvis is prescribed.

Based on the results of a comprehensive examination, the doctor prescribes treatment.

What to do if itching in the anus in women and men?

Immediately, we note that you should not self-medicate at home, however, you can provide yourself with first aid to relieve symptoms:

• Flushing with warm water after each visit to the toilet;
• Do not use any hygiene products;
• Elimination of drugs to treat rectal problems;
• Apply a decoction of oak bark mixed with baby shampoo in equal proportions to the anorectal area;
• Do not wear synthetic underwear.

If you have already been examined by a doctor and diagnosed with "fissures in the anus", in this case, you can use aloe.

This plant has an antiseptic and wound healing effect when applied to the damaged area. You can also cut an aloe leaf into several pieces, freeze them, and then use them as rectal suppositories.

Chamomile and calendula sitz baths are also helpful. They also have anti-inflammatory and soothing effects.

Prevention of ailment

As a preventive measure, doctors recommend doing the following:

• Observe the rules of personal hygiene;
• Wear clean, ironed underwear made from natural fabrics;
• Use soft toilet paper without dyes and fragrances;
• Make sure that the stool is regular;
• Eliminate profuse sweating;
• Timely consult a doctor for the treatment of concomitant diseases.

Do not hesitate to seek help from your doctor if you experience any discomfort in your rectum. Do not run this condition as it could be a symptom of a more serious medical condition. Be healthy!