Anal itching – why it can increase at night
Anal itching is a common condition that can be a sign of some health problems.
Itching localized inside the anus is often intense and may be accompanied by a strong urge to scratch.
This is an extremely uncomfortable and unpleasant condition.
It is also called pruritus ani and can have many causes – excessive washing or hemorrhoids.
If the anal itching does not subside, it is advisable to consult the personal physician, who will consider whether to give a referral to a proctologist or a urologist. With correctly prescribed treatment, a complete treatment of the unpleasant is achieved symptomatology.
Anal itching – how to deal with the unpleasant condition
There are two main types of anal itching, which are classified depending on the course of the disease.
The sharp and strong itching appears mostly suddenly and is of an intense nature, and in the area of the anus there is an additional secretion from the anal glands, which leads to additional irritation.
The course of chronic anal itching is characterized by a slow development with a gradual intensification of the state of discomfort. Usually, the skin in the chronic form is prone to drying.
What are the symptoms
Pruritus ani can be due to burning or inflammation, which may be temporary or permanent, depending on the provoking factor.
In most cases, no medical attention is required.
Consult your GP if:
- The itching is severe or lasts longer than 1-2 months;
- You notice that you are bleeding;
- You cannot find out what’s causing the itching.
Persistent itching may be related to a skin disease or other health problem that requires treatment.
Main causes and potential triggers
Skin irritation
Friction or constant high humidity can irritate the sensitive skin in the anal area, and this irritation sometimes causes anal itching .
Flavors, dyes and softening agents in products such as soap and toilet paper can cause irritation and itching in the anal area. Overusing them often makes the problem worse.
Digestive problems
Recurrent diarrhea can cause anal irritation and itching. Incidental leakage of stool due to fecal incontinence is often a contributing factor to the condition.
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are enlarged veins that are located under the mucosa of the lowest part of the rectum and the beginning of the anus.
They appear most often as a result of straining during bowel movements. Pruritus ani can be a symptom of hemorrhoids.
Genital system infections
Venereal diseases can also involve the anus and cause intense itching.
In children, the parasite that causes enterobiosis or pinworms can cause chronic itching in the anus.
Adults can also be wormed by the child. Other parasites and fungal infections that commonly affect women can also cause itching in the anal area.
Skin disease
Sometimes itching in the anus is the result of a specific skin disease, such as psoriasis and contact dermatitis.
Anal Tumors
Rarely, benign or malignant tumors in and around the anus can cause itching.
Treatment of anal itching
The type of treatment that will be applied depends on the underlying cause of the itching.
Possible options are self-medication, dietary changes, treatment of infections or, less commonly, surgery to remove the factors provoking the itching.
Still, it should be borne in mind that untimely initiation of therapy as well as incorrect diagnosis and establishment of the provoking factor not only does not lead to recovery, but may lead to worsening of the condition.
Medications that help deal with anal itching:
Creams or ointments
Ointments containing hydrocortisone. Apply a small amount to the affected area and you will limit inflammation and reduce itching.
Protective ointments
Ointments containing zinc oxide applied to the anal area also relieve itching.
Antihistamines
If the anal itching worsens at night, antihistamines are prescribed until the local treatment begins to work.
Antiparasitic therapy
When a parasitic infection is established, depending on the nematode, a single dose of an antiparasitic drug is administered, and a repeat after 2 weeks is usually recommended to destroy the eggs of the parasite.< /strong>
With the right treatment, most people experience relief from itching in the anal area in less than a week.
How to diagnose anal itching
Despite the apparent simplicity of the symptoms of the condition, one can talk about the presence of anal itching only after consulting a proctologist. Only this specialist can appoint an appropriate examination.
This may be a manifestation of other diseases, therefore it is necessary to establish the cause of the appearance of itching, and in the case of a secondary nature of the symptom, the main disease can be determined only by the relevant medical specialist.
For the diagnosis of severe itching in the anus a wide range of laboratory tests is used.
In order to establish a probable cause of the condition, information about the nature and features of itching around the anal area, its duration, intensity may be necessary. The specialist looks for a correlation between the appearance of itching with the diet, eating spicy food or using alcoholic beverages.
Any monitoring of the patient can contribute to a faster diagnosis and timely initiation of proper treatment.
If during the initial examination signs of inflammation of the anal area are found, then a secretion is taken for analysis. It is also a demonstrative co-program – stool analysis to rule out the diagnosis of helminthic infestation.
In women, anal itching may be due to a genitourinary infection, so an additional consultation is necessary in order to exclude infectious diseases of the genital organs.
Prevention of anal itching
To reduce the probability of the occurrence of anal itching, some basic rules can help us, which help not only to avoid the occurrence of this condition, but also increase the vital tone of a person.
Observing a proper diet will be beneficial not only from the point of view of prevention of anal itching, but also has a beneficial effect on the entire digestive tract.
It is necessary to limit the consumption of carbonated drinks with sweeteners, coffee, tea, milk, alcohol, tomatoes, spices, spicy peppers, citrus and chocolate.
Another important point is maintaining hygiene of the perineum.
At the same time, it should be remembered that excessive hygiene as well as the use of alkaline soap or scented products can lead to irritation of this area.
Therefore, if you have noticed that a certain soap or gel causes burning in the area of the anus, you should consider another means to which you will not have a similar reaction.
Despite fashion trends, underwear made of natural fabrics should always be preferred. Also, wearing tight tight clothes leads to frequent sweating of the body as a whole, and in the area of the anus, which is one of the causes of anal itching.
