Itching in the anus in women and men: causes and treatment

Sometimes in the life of a woman or a man there is a problem that needs to be gotten rid of somehow, but it is awkward to ask the advice of doctors and friends. Self-medication of itching in the anus by trial and error can end badly, and such an unpleasant symptom cannot be ignored. What to do with it then, and why it arises, this article explains.

The essence of pathology

The appearance of itching in the anal area is a painful phenomenon. In this case, a person experiences a burning and tingling sensation in this area. Such symptoms force the patient to scratch the anus, which leads to injury.

To cope with a problem, you need to establish the reasons for its occurrence. They may be associated with poor hygiene or serious intestinal pathologies. Itching of unknown etiology impairs a person’s performance, leads to depression and causes problems when communicating with others.

3. Symptoms and diagnosis

When visiting a doctor (gynecologist, urologist, dermatologist, andrologist) with complaints of itching in the perineum, the following symptoms are important:

• redness;
• painful irritation;
• changes in the appearance of the skin;
• the presence of pimples or large blisters (in particular, those that appear solely in response to scratching, washing, or blotting with a towel);
• the presence of similar lesions in other areas (or localization only in the perineum);
• dependence on any situations, sex life, food consumed, a certain area, etc.;
• increased or relieved itching in response to mechanical friction.

All these nuances, as well as the dynamics, cyclicity, and duration of itching, are diagnostically informative; they should be monitored in advance and reported to the doctor.

Depending on the results of the examination, study of complaints and anamnesis, laboratory and, if necessary, instrumental studies are prescribed (urine and blood tests, microscopy of smears and sections, iodine and allergy tests, ultrasound, cystoscopy, etc.). In some cases, consultation with specialized specialists (infectious disease specialist, parasitologist, endocrinologist, psychiatrist, proctologist, etc.) is necessary.

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The main causes of itching in women

The appearance of itching around the anus may be due to poor hygiene. Due to the development of pathogenic microflora and poor quality skin cleansing, there is a risk of diaper rash. Also a provoking factor is the use of too tight or synthetic underwear.

If diaper rash appears, it is enough to make adjustments to the hygiene rules, use an anti-inflammatory cream or powder.

There are situations when intense itching in the intimate area indicates serious problems in the functioning of the body.

Development of hemorrhoids

It can be internal and external. In the first case, dilation of the rectal veins and the formation of nodes are observed. The pathology develops unnoticed, since it is not possible to visualize changes in blood vessels. The appearance of the disease is caused by disturbances in the diet and irrational stress. The problem also often occurs after childbirth.

External hemorrhoids are considered a continuation of internal hemorrhoids. In this case, the nodes fall out after defecation or on their own. This process is accompanied by the appearance of pain, itching, and blood.

Worm infestation

The most common cause of problems is pinworm infection. At night, female parasites lay eggs in the anus. This causes discomfort and itching in the anus.

Also, the causes of problems include ascariasis and other types of helminthiasis. Unpleasant symptoms usually appear after bowel movements.

Giardiasis is also considered a provoking factor for anal itching. In this case, worms cause the appearance of rashes on different parts of the body, including the perineum. This all becomes a source of itching.

Intestinal dysbiosis

The sensation of itching near the anus in women may be due to the development of dysbacteriosis. The appearance of pathology is associated with any intestinal infections - for example, salmonellosis or dysentery. It is also caused by prolonged and uncontrolled use of antibiotics.

Normal intestinal microflora is replaced by opportunistic ones. This causes bowel problems - diarrhea or constipation. As a result, damage to the mucous membranes occurs. This leads to constant itching and burning.

To cope with unpleasant manifestations, it is necessary to use a complex of medicines containing lacto- and colibacteria. You also need to adhere to a certain diet and strictly follow medical recommendations.

Allergic reactions

The appearance of itching and redness in the sphincter area may be the result of allergic reactions to the use of toilet paper, hygiene products, and food coloring. The problem may also be caused by the use of low-quality bedding.

As a result, the skin itches heavily, a burning sensation occurs, and microcracks appear in the anal area.

Gynecological pathologies

If a burning sensation occurs in the anus in women, the causes may be due to infectious pathologies of the genitourinary system. Sexually transmitted infections, trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia lead to discomfort. All these disorders provoke discomfort in the groin, pain, itching and burning.

The most common and harmless cause of problems is thrush. The vagina is located near the rectum, which leads to the spread of fungal infections to this area. Candidiasis is quite easy to treat. It can be easily diagnosed, which cannot be said about other hidden infections or gynecological pathologies.

Psychological disorders

The appearance of symptoms of burning and itching may be due to mental or neurological disorders. Unpleasant sensations in the anus in women are associated with the following factors:

• depression and neuroses;
• obsessive-compulsive disorder - in this case, a woman has a constant desire to wash different parts of her body;
• dermatozoan delirium - with this pathology, it seems to a person that worms and insects are crawling under the skin;
• disorders of surface sensitivity - they are caused by pathologies of the spinal cord or spine.

The itching sensation is associated with the use of rough toilet paper, the use of synthetic underwear, and allergic reactions to detergents. To choose effective treatment, you need to correctly identify the provoking factor.

Prevention

Prevention of anal itching includes:

• fight against constipation;
• wearing quality underwear;
• washing the anus after defecation;
• proper nutrition;
• using soft toilet paper.

It is important for people who are prone to anal itching to avoid salty, smoked and spicy foods.

It is necessary to avoid using hygiene products that contain dyes and fragrances. If you have anal itching, you should especially carefully follow the rules of hygiene and under no circumstances scratch the problem area.

Video - Itching in the anus in women: causes

Causes of itching in men

The occurrence of itching in men can be idiopathic or a reaction to certain pathologies. Most often, the discomfort is secondary. In this case, the causes of unpleasant sensations can be pathogenic or non-pathogenic.

Pathogenic factors

The appearance of anal itching of a pathogenic nature is a serious problem, which is caused by various disorders in the body. To cope with discomfort, you should consult a specialist. He will determine the causes of the disorder and select adequate treatment. Most often, pathogenic itching has a complex course and is accompanied by unpleasant symptoms. These include the following:

• pain syndrome;
• burning sensation;
• swelling and hyperemia of the dermis in the anus;
• signs of general intoxication.

Irritation of the rectum can provoke discomfort at different times of the day. Most often they appear in the evening or at night. Itching in the anus in men can be associated with the following factors:

• pathologies of the anus and rectum - these include malignant tumors, hemorrhoids, fistulas, polyps;
• helminthic infestation - roundworms, pinworms, and lamblia lead to discomfort;
• psychological and neurological problems;
• diarrhea resulting from intestinal dysbiosis;
• ruptures and damage to the anus due to constipation;
• severe sweating due to obesity and irritation of the dermis around the anus;
• damage by bacteria and fungi;
• venereal pathologies.

Non-pathogenic factors

This category includes reactions to external stimuli. They can be chemical, physical or mechanical. In this case, a fairly mild discomfort occurs, which disappears after the provoking factor is eliminated.

The appearance of non-pathogenic itching is due to the following reasons:

• traumatic injuries and mechanical impacts - an example is the wrong choice of tight underwear;
• damage to the mucous membranes by bacteria as a result of violation of personal hygiene rules;
• allergies to alcohol, food, detergents.

Most often, non-pathogenic itching can be eliminated on your own. This is done through cosmetic and hygiene procedures.

Constant itching

The appearance of chronic itching in adults often indicates dangerous pathologies. These include the following:

• diabetes;
• liver diseases;
• pancreatic diseases.

Disturbances in the functioning of the biliary system can also cause a feeling of itching and discomfort in the rectum.

Anal itching, which does not go away for a long time, is considered the main symptom of the development of hemorrhoids.

If wounds and cracks appear in the anus, therapy should be started immediately. Otherwise, there is a high probability of dangerous consequences - severe bleeding and blood poisoning.

Itching after bowel movement

Quite often, the itching sensation increases after visiting the toilet. This symptom appears in men in the presence of internal disorders or under the influence of external factors.

A burning sensation in the anus after defecation appears in the following situations:

• helminthic infestation;
• paraproctitis - accompanied by suppuration in the subcutaneous tissue;

• allergic reactions;
• fungal infections of the dermis;
• eczema and psoriasis;
• use of certain laxatives;
• skin irritation and inflammation;
• violation of water-salt balance;
• constipation;
• haemorrhoids;
• metabolic disorders - primarily diabetes mellitus;
• intestinal dysbiosis;
• poisoning of the body with salts of heavy metals;
• violation of the outflow of bile.

It is impossible to independently identify the causes of problems. Therefore, the appearance of such a symptom is considered a reason to consult a specialist.

Night itching

If unpleasant symptoms appear at night, it is worth getting tested for the presence of worms. Parasites most often cause discomfort at night. This provokes sleep disturbances, severe anxiety, and nervousness. The entry of worms into the body can be due to various factors - through dirty hands, food products, hygiene preparations.

In addition to worms, the following factors cause night itching:

• allergic reactions - consist of negative reactions of the body to external factors;
• excess body weight - the cause of problems is friction of skin folds and increased sweating;
• microtraumas and formations in the rectal area;
• problems in the functioning of internal organs;
• metabolic disorder;
• haemorrhoids;

• stressful situations;
• malignant tumors.

The activity of helminths at night is explained by the deposition of eggs in the folds of the anus. At one time, the female can lay 5-15 thousand eggs.

Itching after taking antibiotics

The use of antibacterial drugs is considered a common cause of itching and burning in the rectum. The disorder is caused by a change in the balance of intestinal microflora. Causes of problems also include the following:

• individual characteristics of the body;
• low quality product;
• inappropriate use or incorrect choice of substance;
• incorrect choice of dosage or regimen of use of the product;
• non-compliance with medical recommendations;

• independent increase in the duration of treatment.

The appearance of unpleasant symptoms is often accompanied by bowel problems. You should definitely notify your doctor about this. This will help the specialist make adjustments to the treatment regimen or reduce the dosage.

Clinical picture

Constant itching in the anal area provokes additional symptoms. People with this disorder often suffer from insomnia, increased nervousness, and depression.

The skin in the anus acquires a rough consistency and becomes covered with abrasions. Bleeding often occurs. When infection gets into deep abrasions, there is a risk of inflammation developing.

Acute anal itching appears suddenly. In this case, skin hydration, scratching, and irritation are observed.

Chronic itching is characterized by inconspicuous development. However, over time, the symptoms become more severe. At the same time, the skin becomes dry and inflamed. Often there is no characteristic pigmentation. Typically, chronic itching does not lead to scratching.

The prolonged presence of this symptom provokes bacterial skin lesions, the development of eczema, and bleeding of wounds.

To avoid negative health consequences, you need to choose treatment in a timely manner. This will help prevent complications.

Prevention of itching in the anus

In case of a true disease, treatment is conservative, long-term and often requires the participation of not only a coloproctologist, but also a gastroenterologist, psychotherapist and other specialists. Injection methods for treating anal itching, for example, tattooing and others, are also used in world practice.

In our clinic, anal itching is treated with medication. On the recommendation of a coloproctologist, you may be prescribed tablets, suppositories, medical procedures, and therapeutic microenemas.

Diagnostic tests

To identify the causes of problems, you need to consult a proctologist. The specialist will conduct the necessary research to help determine the triggering factors.

The doctor will certainly be interested in information regarding the nature and characteristics of itching, its duration and intensity. It is also worth telling a specialist about the relationship between the occurrence of symptoms and diet, alcohol consumption or spicy food.

During the initial examination, the doctor identifies symptoms of inflammation in the anus and makes a scraping. Each patient must test stool 3 times for the presence of worm eggs.

If a woman consults a specialist, she must be referred for a consultation with a gynecologist. The doctor must rule out the presence of genital infections. The appearance of itching in men may be the basis for an ultrasound examination of the prostate.

If stool abnormalities are detected, it is definitely worth conducting a bacteriological examination of the stool.

If it is necessary to examine the rectum to diagnose inflammation, colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, and irrigoscopy may be prescribed.

Blood testing for sugar levels and the presence of metabolic disorders is of no small importance. Such diseases often provoke itchy skin.

If there is a suspicion of functional insufficiency of the anal sphincter, there is a need for sphincteromanometry. If there are constant stool disorders, it is worth conducting an examination for the presence of pathologies of the upper digestive tract. To do this, an ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity and gastroscopy are performed.

Diagnostics

First of all, you need to visit a proctologist to eliminate the risk of intestinal pathologies. If after examination the doctor does not detect any abnormalities, an examination may be required:

• dermatologist;
• gastroenterologist;
• gynecologist;
• endocrinologist.

The doctor may prescribe stool tests for helminths and dysbacteriosis, blood and urine tests. To eliminate the risk of intestinal diseases, instrumental studies are prescribed:

• colonoscopy;

• anoscopy;
• sigmoidoscopy.

Diagnosing and identifying the causes of itching can take a lot of time. The doctor must determine the specific factors that could cause the itching - and only then prescribe treatment. It is especially difficult to make a correct diagnosis if the itching is a consequence of pathologies in the functioning of internal organs and systems.

Treatment methods

To get rid of unpleasant symptoms, it is worth carrying out comprehensive treatment. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the provoking factor of discomfort.

If the cause of the problems is diseases of the internal organs, therapy is aimed at treating the underlying pathology. Dermatological diseases require the use of special ointments with a drying effect. These include Hydrocortisone, Salicylic and Zinc ointment.

If the appearance of itching is due to the development of allergies, it is worth using effective antihistamines. They have a wide spectrum of action. In the presence of a sexually transmitted disease, special medications are used - Azithromycin, Clotrimazole, Ciprofloxacin.

If a helminthic infestation is detected, the doctor prescribes antiparasitic drugs. The most effective drugs include Vormil and Pirantel.

Sometimes a comprehensive diagnosis helps to detect intestinal pathologies. In this case, the doctor prescribes a number of medications that help quickly cope with itching. The most effective means are shown in the table:

If the development of itching is associated with prolonged stress, exhaustion of the nervous system, severe physical and mental stress, it is worth using sedatives. These include tinctures of hawthorn, valerian, and motherwort. You can also use different medications - Tenoten, Afobazol, Novo-Passit, Persen.

If the diagnosis does not help to identify the causes of itching, suspicions arise about the hidden course of proctosigmoiditis. In this case, following a diet and skin ointments is indicated. If you have allergies, you cannot do without antihistamines.

To avoid itching in the anus, you should use Gemo-Pro rectal suppositories. They contain propolis.

Possible complications

Wounds and cracks that form in the anus pose a real health hazard. With the constant action of bacterial microorganisms on the affected areas, the likelihood of inflammation and blood poisoning increases.

As a result, the following consequences arise:

• prostatitis;
• acute paraproctitis;
• bleeding;
• gangrene;
• sepsis;
• the appearance of ulcerative defects and fistulas.

Preventive actions

To prevent the occurrence of anal itching or to avoid the subsequent spread of infection, it is worth following the rules of prevention. It is worth undergoing medical examinations every year.

To avoid the appearance of unpleasant symptoms, you should adhere to the following recommendations:

1. Eat properly. In this case, you need to consume a minimum of salted, fried and smoked foods. You should also give up sugary carbonated drinks and spices.
2. Eliminate bad habits. Smoking, drinking alcohol and drugs is not recommended.
3. Move a lot, control your body weight.
4. Choose the right toilet paper and intimate hygiene products. The composition should not contain harmful or allergenic components.
5. Wear loose underwear. It should not contain synthetic components.
6. Carry out hygiene procedures every day. After defecation, you should wash the anal area.
7. Avoid lifting heavy objects.

The appearance of diseases of the anus and rectum is often associated with an insufficiently active lifestyle. Systematic exercise and regular walks in the fresh air will help reduce the likelihood of problems.

Causes of anal itching

Causes of anal itching can be:

• lack of personal hygiene;
• excessive passion for water procedures;
• excessive dry skin in old age;
• increased skin moisture as a result of increased sweating of the skin or frequent bowel movements;
• using a hard washcloth, hard soap and rough toilet paper;
• the use of certain medications, hemorrhoid remedies, gels, ointments and birth control suppositories;
• frequent inclusion of hot and spicy foods in the diet;
• depilation of hair in the anal area.

Anal itching can appear as a consequence of neurosis ( neurogenic anal itching) or after taking medications ( iatrogenic anal itching) .

The appearance of idiopathic anal itching is associated with a decrease in the contractile function of the sphincter and skin irritation due to mucus released from the rectum.