What causes an itching anus?
AN itching anus is a common. It is an embarrassing and irritating condition called an anal itch, which gives you an irresistible urge to put a finger past your pants, to scratch. Sometimes, there may be an accompanying rash to the itch.
By Paul Semugoma
AN itching anus is a common. It is an embarrassing and irritating condition called an anal itch, which gives you an irresistible urge to put a finger past your pants, to scratch. Sometimes, there may be an accompanying rash to the itch.
You may notice Junior (your child) scratching, especially at night.
Most people associate ‘worms’ with anal itch, though that is not the only cause.
But the worms responsible are called pinworms, which affect children more.
They come out of the anus, usually at night to lay their eggs.
They irritate the skin, causing it to itch, which makes the sufferer to scratch and get eggs under the fingernails. Sooner or later, these will find their way to the mouth and the worm will have completed its cycle.
Other known predisposing factors to itchy anus include diabetes, antibiotics, some skin diseases and profuse sweating.
Frequently, the skin around the anus is irritated by perfumes, chemicals or dyes found in a toilet paper (TP). Other irritants include the moisture in diarrhoea or sweat, infections like fungus and remnants of foods like spices and coffee in stool.
The irritation these conditions cause lead to itching.
You can deal with this problem at home. First inspect the area, to see whether there is any rash. If there is none, you can try to manage the itch yourself.
Keep the area clean, using plain water, because soap may increase the irritation. Dry the skin well after toilet, and keep it dry, especially if you sweat a lot. Wear loose cotton underwear but not tight panty hose.
Beware of the effect of TP. It may contain irritants like perfumes, dyes or chemicals that irritate the skin around the anus.
Coarse and rough TP may make the condition worse. Use plain soft un-perfumed TP, or baby wipes.
If the symptoms do not respond within a week, or if there is a rash, visit your doctor.
He or she will inspect and give you medication for worms and creams for fungus or skin problems.
The writer is a medical doctor
AN itching anus is a common. It is an embarrassing and irritating condition called an anal itch, which gives you an irresistible urge to put a finger past your pants, to scratch. Sometimes, there may be an accompanying rash to the itch.
You may notice Junior (your child) scratching, especially at night.
Most people associate ‘worms’ with anal itch, though that is not the only cause.
But the worms responsible are called pinworms, which affect children more.
They come out of the anus, usually at night to lay their eggs.
They irritate the skin, causing it to itch, which makes the sufferer to scratch and get eggs under the fingernails. Sooner or later, these will find their way to the mouth and the worm will have completed its cycle.
Other known predisposing factors to itchy anus include diabetes, antibiotics, some skin diseases and profuse sweating.
Frequently, the skin around the anus is irritated by perfumes, chemicals or dyes found in a toilet paper (TP). Other irritants include the moisture in diarrhoea or sweat, infections like fungus and remnants of foods like spices and coffee in stool.
The irritation these conditions cause lead to itching.
You can deal with this problem at home. First inspect the area, to see whether there is any rash. If there is none, you can try to manage the itch yourself.
Keep the area clean, using plain water, because soap may increase the irritation. Dry the skin well after toilet, and keep it dry, especially if you sweat a lot. Wear loose cotton underwear but not tight panty hose.
Beware of the effect of TP. It may contain irritants like perfumes, dyes or chemicals that irritate the skin around the anus.
Coarse and rough TP may make the condition worse. Use plain soft un-perfumed TP, or baby wipes.
If the symptoms do not respond within a week, or if there is a rash, visit your doctor.
He or she will inspect and give you medication for worms and creams for fungus or skin problems.
The writer is a medical doctor