Page 120 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

118 COMMON CONDITIONS: CHEST AND ABDOMINAL PROBLEMS

Itchy anus

Anal itching is uncomfortable and may be embarrassing because you will have a strong urge to scratch.
The skin around your anus may be red and sore, and may bleed and become infected if you scratch a great
deal. Itching is often worse after emptying your bowels, and at night. In most cases, an itchy anus is due
to irritation from toiletries, or from sweat, moisture, or traces of feces left in contact with the skin. People
who are overweight, sweat profusely, and/or wear tight-fitting underwear are more susceptible. Sometimes
a particular food contributes to the problem. Hemorrhoids and pinworms are common causes of itching.
See also Hemorrhoids, p.117; Pinworms, p.137.

See your doctor first
DRUG REMEDIES
Make an appointment to see your doctor if:
● You have anal bleeding or a mucus discharge Antihistamines (see p.178) relieve itching.
Taking a sedative antihistamine, available as pills or
● You have pain and/or a lump near your anus
liquid medicine, will also help you sleep.
Hemorrhoid preparations (see
p.184) may contain phenylephrine, which shrinks
What you can do yourself swollen tissue, witch hazel to relieve itching and
irritation, or hydrocortisone to reduce inflammation.
Anal itching can usually be relieved with home Don’t use them for longer than 5–6 days.
treatment, which may also help prevent recurrences.

● Resist the urge to scratch. Cut your fingernails
short and wear cotton gloves at night.
NATURAL REMEDIES
● Try a sedative antihistamine to reduce itching
and help you sleep (see DRUG REMEDIES, right). Calendula cream (see p.179) is a mild,
● Wash your anus morning and evening with plain soothing cream made from extracts of the calendula
(pot marigold) plant. Apply it
water and pat the area dry. Make sure the area is
once a day after washing.
completely dry – using a hair dryer may be helpful.
Discontinue if you develop a
● Applying a hemorrhoid cream or witch hazel pad reaction to the cream.
after washing may soothe itching (see DRUG REMEDIES,
right). Alternatively, use calendula cream (see
NATURAL REMEDIES, right). Using calendula
Apply calendula
● Wash after each bowel movement. When this is
cream sparingly
not possible, use a moistened cloth or unscented, and rub it in lightly.
moist toilet tissues. Use plain toilet tissue after
urinating to dry yourself thoroughly.
● Wear loose cotton underwear, and change it
daily or more often if necessary. Avoid wearing Seek further medical advice
tight-fitting pants or pantyhose. A strip of cotton Arrange to see your doctor if:
or tissue next to your anus will absorb moisture.
● The itchiness does not subside after about
● Try to identify and then cut down on food or
a week of using the above measures
drink that may be contributing to anal itching,
● You develop any new symptoms or other
such as beer, coffee, tomatoes, or spicy foods.
family members develop an itch