Also known as: Anal Pruritus, Itchy Butt



I once treated a woman who had been treated for anal itch for years with creams, lotions, diets and even surgery; still she suffered from severe anal itch. It got so bad that she had to sleep in gloves to keep from scratching her skin off. She came to me as a last resort. After analyzing everything she ate we determined that she had an inordinate amount of artificial sweetener in her diet. She stopped drinking diet sodas and her itch cleared up.



Intro

Despite what you've probably heard in all those hemorrhoid commercials, anal pruritus—or itchy butt as it's commonly called—does not result from hemorrhoids. Most often it results from a skin irritation.



What is it?

Anal pruritus means the skin around your anus itches. The degree varies from an occasional itch that causes little or no notice, to severe itching that makes you to scratch your skin until it bleeds. Often, and for unexplained reasons, the itch is worse at night. The skin around your anus may become red, cracked and thickened. It rarely results from hemorrhoids. The hemorrhoids you may feel on the outside of your anus are often the result of the itch and not its cause.



Symptoms

An itch around your anus, often worse at night, with red and/or thickened skin.



How is it acquired?

Anal itch is not something you catch. The skin around your anus is irritated by something that touches it or comes out in your stool. It may even be from something that you have been eating for years without a problem. We do not know why it suddenly begins to irritate your skin. It can also be from a new soap or laundry detergent. Some men and women itch more in the summer when they sweat more. Parasites, particularly pin worm, can also lead to severe itching. Perfumes, oils, lubricants can irritate the sensitive skin around your anus and cause the itch. In rare instances, hemorrhoids can cause the itch if they are so large and irritated that they hang outside your anus and leak mucous. This mucous, which you may see in your underwear, can irritate your skin and cause the itch. Good hygiene is very important and if you leave stool on your skin after a bowel movement, you will be more likely to itch.



How to treat it?

Anal pruritus is best treated at home with simple methods. Surgery is almost never required. First, check to make sure you don't have a fungal infection, or jock itch, which causes itchy, irritated and chafed skin. If it's not fungal, follow these simple steps. Do not use toilet paper because it can be harsh and may contain dyes and perfumes that can irritate your anus. Use medicated pads containing witch hazel such as Tucks (avoid baby type wipes which often contain perfume), and thoroughly wipe the skin around your anus in the morning when you get up, after each bowel movement and again before bed. Each time after you cleanse yourself with these pads, apply Balneol lotion which is available at most pharmacies without prescription.



It is also important that you use a mild soap for showering and laundry. The next part is the hardest. You must eliminate the following foods from your diet because they can irritate your skin: spicy foods, acidic foods and their juices, caffeine (don't forget those sodas and teas), milk products, except lactaide and yogurt with natural cultures (many adults are lactose intolerant and this makes your stool more like acid if you drink milk), and alcohol (even wine).



Try this for one month and I bet your itch will disappear. If it does then gradually add back foods in the order that you miss them. If you've just got to have that morning cup of coffee then that's what you try first. If you're not itching after one week then add something else. Soon you'll find the substance that caused the itch. Unfortunately you may have to avoid it for life. If your itch doesn't go away, then see a doctor because your problem might be caused by something else -- including a skin disease like psoriasis, parasites or an STD like HPV. Occasionally, your itch may be so severe that you need a prescription strength steroid cream. Long term use of these creams can cause skin damage.



Of particular concern to Ethnic

People (and cultures) that enjoy spicy foods are particularly prone to anal pruritus.



Of particular concern to Men

Lubricants used for sex can irritate your skin. Although perfumes may make your hole smell more like a rose, they can be very irritating. Some men are also allergic to latex condoms which will cause anal itching if their partner uses them. Shaving around your anus can also aggravate any skin irritation. If you have jock itch, it's a good bet that your itching is caused by the fungus in your groin spreading to your anal region.



Of particular concern to Women

Anal itch can be made worse by shaving, or douching. Yeast infections can also spread from the vaginal area to your anal skin and cause severe itching. Certain types of underwear (fabrics and styles - particularly thongs) can irritate your skin and make itching worse.



Incubation period

There is no incubation period. Itching can begin as soon as your skin is exposed to a new and irritating substance. It can also develop suddenly from a substance you previously tolerated.



Sex

Sex does not cause anal itch. Lubricants, perfumes and latex can. If your skin is irritated, anal sex may become painful.



Prevalence

Anal itch is very common but often episodic



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