Itching of the anus (itching of the anus)

Under Anus itching means itching of the skin in the anus area. This can have mechanical, but also bacterial causes.

What is anus itch?

Anus itch describes the itching of the anus and surrounding areas. It is not an independent disease, but a symptom. The itching of the anus itself can become problematic if it is accompanied by skin irritation or grazes and injuries to the sensitive anus area occur.

Above all, however, itching of the anus is an unpleasant, embarrassing problem: Sitting still is then no longer possible and well-being is significantly impaired.

Sufferers have the immediate problem of having to keep their anus itch hidden from the outside world, as it is often associated with uncleanliness or sexual practices that one might not want to be associated with in public.

causes

Itching of the anus can be due to mechanical irritation, i.e. an injury to the skin in the anus area. This can happen spontaneously, but also through anal intercourse or other sexual practices that involve the anus.

Occasionally, hemorrhoids become noticeable as anus itch and are accompanied by other characteristic symptoms. Short-term itching of the anus can also occur with diarrhea - some people suffer from irritating diarrhea after very spicy meals, which does not leave the skin of the anal area untouched.

In other cases, the causes are to be looked for in bacterial infections, which can occur, for example, through inflamed wounds or subsequently through bacterial diarrhea. However, they can also be the result of unprotected sex.

In children (and some adults) worms can also be a reason for itchy "buttocks". For more information, see Worms in stool in children, pinworms and roundworms.

Diseases with this symptom

• hemorrhoids
• Traveler's diarrhea
• abdominal influenza
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Gluten intolerance
• Food intolerance

• Crohn's disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Food poisoning
• Lactose intolerance
• Histamine intolerance
• Fructose intolerance

• Appendicitis
• Hyperthyroidism
• Antibiotic-associated colitis
• Salmonella poisoning
• Mushroom poisoning
• cholera

course

Itching of the anus usually arises spontaneously and has no typical course, as this depends on the cause. A bacterial infection in the anus area develops similarly to other infections:

After a certain incubation period, during which the bacteria multiply, the symptoms initially set in slightly and, without appropriate treatment, get worse and worse, until the general well-being suffers and it is no longer just an itchy anus.

Mechanical irritations such as those caused by hemorrhoids, on the other hand, result in constant itching of the anus, which no longer changes continuously, but remains relatively the same, provided that the hemorrhoids do the same. In the case of diarrhea and minor injuries, the anus itching usually disappears quickly as soon as the cause has also healed.

Complications

Due to the itching of the anus, the affected area is often reflexively scratched. This scratching can lead to some complications. For example, scratching often causes lesions on the skin on the anus. This can lead to bacterial colonization and thus inflammation in the affected area. Furthermore, the lesions caused by scratching are often associated with pain that further reduces the patient's well-being. For this reason, it is important to point out that scratching should be avoided in any case, as it is the most common cause of complications.

Refraining from itching is often difficult for the person concerned, since the itching is a great burden for the person concerned. Because of this, the first goal of therapy is to relieve the itching as quickly as possible, before the cause has been removed. This serves to relieve the person concerned of the burden of itching and thus also keep him from scratching, which ultimately reduces the risk of complications enormously. Further complications from anal itching alone are not to be expected. It should therefore be noted that the possible complications are not directly attributable to the symptom of anal itching, but to the behavior of the patient.

When should you go to the doctor?

Itching of the anus is usually excruciating for those affected, especially when they cannot simply scratch their itchy area in public. In addition, scratching usually only brings short-term relief and the mechanical irritation makes the problem worse. In addition to mechanical effects, itching of the anus can also be caused by bacteria.

The skin around the anus is very sensitive and already reacts to fine injuries with itching. Scratching such a fine wound can turn it into a larger wound that can even become infected due to bacterial contamination. In order to get rid of the excruciating itching of the anus and avoid possible complications, it is advisable to consult your family doctor as early as possible.

Typical causes of itching of the anus are severe diarrhea, hemorrhoids, bacterial infections and worms. Sexual practices in the anal area can also cause itching in the anus. Itchy anus is a symptom and not a disease in itself. Depending on the cause, the family doctor treats the anus itching himself or refers it to a specialist such as an internist. The itching of the anus can often be stopped with special ointments and powders. Medicines help against worm infestation. Hemorrhoids may need to be surgically removed.

Doctors & therapists in your area

Treatment & Therapy

Itching of the anus is usually treated as a symptom, as it represents a significant burden in the everyday life of those affected, regardless of the cause. There are powders and ointments that can be applied directly to put an end to itchy anus quickly if it gets so bad that you no longer want to go public with it without hesitation.

Injuries to the anus do not need further treatment if they do not become infected, they will heal on their own. Bacterial causes of anal itching, on the other hand, are treated with antibiotics, but occasionally with soothing ointments for improved wound healing. Treatment is more difficult in the case of mechanical irritation from hemorrhoids:

First of all, it must be diagnosed with certainty that they are the trigger for the itching on the anus. With hemorrhoids, there is always a suspicion of cancer of the rectum, which is causing the symptoms. After the exclusion, however, the treatment of the hemorrhoids can be considered, depending on the stage of the disease and the general condition of the patient as well as his wishes.

Once the diagnosis is made, however, itchy anus can be treated as a symptom. In the short term, ointments and similar applications help, while hip baths are recommended in the long term.

Outlook & forecast

The most common cause of anus itching is enlarged hemorrhoids. These can usually be treated successfully and without complications using modern treatment methods. However, regardless of the treatment method chosen, the hemorrhoids can reappear after a few years and cause the same symptoms as before.

Immediately after the operation, the patient may experience significant pain, bleeding and urination problems. However, these symptoms can be quickly remedied in the hospital. In exceptional cases, surgical intervention on the hemorrhoids can damage the sphincter muscle.

If the anus itching can be traced back to cracks and fissures caused by vigorous pressure during bowel movements, the success of the treatment correlates with eliminating the cause of the problem. If the patient changes his diet and integrates sufficient exercise into his everyday life, digestion usually normalizes by itself. After the constipation has ceased, the injuries caused by it usually subside quickly. The prerequisite for this, however, is that the patient actually follows the hygiene and care instructions of the doctor. Poor hygiene can lead to complications in the form of severe or chronic inflammation.

If the itching in the anus was only caused by a contact allergy, for example an overly aggressive detergent, the symptoms usually subside as soon as the skin no longer comes into contact with the irritant.

prevention

The anus is a sensitive part of the body that needs appropriate care. It must be cleaned after a bowel movement, preferably with a damp cloth in the case of irritating diarrhea.

Cleaning in the shower is also part of the daily care program. Sexual acts that involve the anus should only be carried out with appropriate protection or at least ask your partner to wash their hands beforehand so that you do not get an infection due to poor hygiene and itchy anus.

You can do that yourself

If there is a serious disease behind itchy anus, a doctor's visit is essential. Self-treatment is not advisable in this case. However, there are a few measures that can provide relief or even prevention before the doctor's appointment.

To counteract itchy anus, regular and soft stools are recommended. The use of hard or damp toilet paper should be avoided. These also irritate the sensitive mucous membrane in the anal region. It is advisable to wash the anus after each bowel movement. Only clear and lukewarm water should be used here. The area must then be gently dried.Alternatives are hip baths or fleece towels soaked in oil. It also makes sense to dry the anal region with cold air from a hairdryer - this protects the skin.

Regular washing is required. However, pH-neutral washing lotions should be used to cleanse the body. Soap and intimate sprays are not beneficial. Sufferers are advised not to give in to the itching and not to scratch themselves. Scratching the skin in the anal area is additionally irritated and damaged. In addition, scratching makes the skin more permeable to pathogens. If those affected sweat heavily in the anal area, a cotton ball can help. Anal templates are also worth mentioning. These are to be placed between the buttocks and ensure a dry anal region.