Throughout life, people are faced with certain ailments. Some of them are quite easy to heal, and they do not bring much anxiety. Other pathologies cause severe pain and can lead to unpleasant consequences and complications.
Itching around the anus is one very unpleasant symptom. In addition to aesthetic inconvenience, this phenomenon negatively affects work and everyday life. In order to get rid of such sensations, first of all, you need to determine the kind of pathology. This will help solve problems faster and more efficiently.
Varieties of anal itching
According to medical practice, there are two types of this pathology: primary and secondary. In the first case, we are talking about itching for no apparent reason. Such symptoms have not yet been explained in medicine, therefore, it is very difficult to say exactly what leads to it.
Secondary itching in the anus is one of the symptoms of some pathologies. For example, the fifth point may begin to itch on the background of hemorrhoids, chronic anal fissures, the appearance of worms, proctitis, inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system, fungal infections, burns and mechanical damage.
There are also a number of reasons that provoke this condition.
Causes of primary itching
As already mentioned earlier, it is impossible to know exactly why such symptoms appear. Nevertheless, doctors have a theory that the causes of anal pruritus of the primary stage may be associated with a decrease in sphincter tone. Because of this, a small amount of mucus begins to get on the skin around the anus, which leads to quite severe irritation. However, such phenomena are too rare for more accurate conclusions to be drawn.
The most common causes of secondary itching
To determine the source of the problem in this case is not so simple, since there are a huge number of pathologies accompanied by similar symptoms. However, most often anal itching develops due to irritation of the anus. A huge number of different factors can lead to this. For example, people rarely wash or change their underwear. Also, clothing made of synthetic fabrics or with pronounced seams can lead to similar symptoms. Using poor or too coarse toilet paper can also cause anal itching.
If we are talking about children, then in this case, doctors primarily exclude infection with helminths. If worms have settled in the baby’s body, then the fifth point will itch most strongly in the evening and at night. This is because it is precisely at this time that pinworms begin to lay eggs and move along the rectum. Therefore, if the child has anal itching, then first of all it is necessary to consult a doctor and make sure that the worms have not settled in the baby's body.
Also from the most common problems it is worth highlighting the formation of cracks, fistulas, polyps and hemorrhoids in the anus. As a rule, in addition to itching, bleeding and severe burning are also observed. Similar problems are more often encountered by people leading a sedentary lifestyle, as well as those for whom constipation is a common story. In this case, it all depends on the stage of the disease. In the early stages, problems are solved with medication and ointment for anal itching. If the form is running, then in this case surgical intervention may be required.
In some situations, itching is the cause of an allergic reaction to certain foods that are irritating to the rectum.
Other causes of anal itching are also worth considering.
Gastrointestinal diseases
If a person suffers from ulcers, gastritis, colitis, pathologies of the liver or pancreas, then because of this, disturbances in the intestinal flora occur. Against this background, pathogens and fungi can begin to develop in the body, the appearance of which is usually accompanied by quite severe itching.
It is very important to undergo a timely examination, since itching in the anus can be caused by more serious inflammations. For example, similar symptoms can be observed with tumors in the rectum or sigmoid colon.
Antibiotic pruritus
If the patient, for one reason or another, was taking tetracycline antibiotics or erythromycin, then this symptomatology can be a side effect of the medication. This is due to the fact that in the process of taking antibiotics, the intestinal microflora undergoes strong changes and cannot immediately recover. As a result, dysbiosis and, as a result, cracks and wounds in the anus develop.
Such phenomena can lead to secondary infections, against which paraproctitis sometimes develops later. This purulent disease is not amenable to medical treatment, so it will not be possible without surgical intervention. Therefore, it is better not to wait until the ailment passes into the chronic stage.
High blood sugar
In some situations, anal itching appears as a symptom of incipient diabetes. In addition, other areas located, for example, on the face or hands may begin to itch. If such allergic reactions began to appear with an enviable frequency, then it is worth checking the level of sugar in the blood. If this pathology is not detected in a timely manner, then this can lead to more serious complications, such as polyneuropathy or cardinal changes in blood vessels in the human body.
Symptoms of itching
As a rule, burning in the anus is accompanied by other equally unpleasant symptoms. For example, patients often complain of insomnia, increased nervousness, and depression. In addition, the skin around the anus is noticeably roughened, abrasions and bruising may appear. Often this leads to infection and inflammatory processes.
As a rule, this ailment begins unexpectedly. First, the skin around the anus becomes wetter, then redness and irritation appear on it, which leads to severe itching. If the symptoms do not stop, then after a while the skin dries up, and the burning sensation intensifies.
If the treatment of anal itching is not started in a timely manner, then bacterial damage to the skin, eczema and other unpleasant consequences may develop. Therefore, it is worth immediately contacting a specialist and undergoing diagnostic procedures. But leave this problem unattended.
Diagnostics
With the development of itching in the anus, you need to visit a doctor who will conduct an initial examination and try to exclude the presence of hemorrhoids. It is recommended to tell the specialist in detail what specific unpleasant symptoms are worrying and at what time of the day it most often occurs. It is also worth talking about how long the burning sensation bothers, whether this occurs during bowel movements. In the latter case, we are most likely talking about the weakness of the sphincter of the anus. This happens if a person has undergone surgery or suffers from hemorrhoids.
If unpleasant sensations appear only after eating spicy food, then this can cause inflammation of the sigmoid or rectum.
If the clinical picture is not clear, then the specialist may additionally ask for a blood test, urine test, general biochemical and others. Feces for hidden blood and worm eggs are also checked. If a specialist suspects that the patient may suffer from a malignant tumor, then a biopsy is performed, and the internal surfaces of the large intestine are examined with an optical probe.
In especially difficult situations, additional consultation of a proctologist, urologist, dermatologist, venereologist and other specialists of narrow qualifications may be required.
Treatment
After the diagnosis and accurate determination of the causes of the appearance of such an ailment, the doctor prescribes the appropriate therapy. If in the process of examinations and analyzes it turned out that the patient is suffering from an infection, then in this case antibiotics are most often prescribed. When a fungus occurs, fungicidal preparations will help to save the situation. In the case of worms, anthelmintic agents are used.
If unpleasant symptoms indicate more serious diseases of the colon, then in this case a longer complex therapy may be required. If syphilis, diabetes mellitus, cirrhosis of the liver or hepatitis is found, it will be necessary to mentally prepare for the fact that getting rid of the disease will be the most difficult.
If burning in the anus is not caused by pathologies, then in this case it is allowed to use special ointments and microclysters with a 3% solution of protargol. Also, if the doctor has nothing against it, you can resort to traditional medicine and use oils, decoctions and various herbs to relieve itching.
In some cases, physiotherapeutic procedures help to cope with unpleasant symptoms. However, before proceeding with them, it is necessary to consult with your doctor.
In extremely rare situations, it is not possible to diagnose a particular cause of a burning sensation. In this case, the doctor prescribes sedatives.
Preventative measures
Since such symptoms can be triggered by neurological problems, it is worth spending as much time as possible in the air, walking more often.
People who lead a sedentary lifestyle and work in the office or at home should be more likely to move and it is advisable to play sports. This will help eliminate the likelihood of developing hemorrhoids.
It is also worth limiting the amount of alcohol, coffee and carbonated drinks consumed. It is also recommended to refuse sharp seasonings.
Finally
I started to worry about anal itching. What to do in this situation? First of all, the most common causes should be excluded - the appearance of worms and hemorrhoids. Do not be shy about these ailments, since a huge number of people around the world suffer from them. Thanks to timely diagnosis, it will be possible to begin treatment. The sooner the patient seeks help, the faster he will be able to forget about the problem. Thanks to modern medicines, patients quickly cope with such symptoms. However, even if surgery is required, it is carried out quickly and does not require long rehabilitation.