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| Pruritus ani, Definition, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, Complications |
Pruritus ani is a feeling or itching sensation in the anal canal or rectum. The causes can vary, but generally occurs due to irritation of the skin of the anus. Anal itching is not a disease, but a symptom of a certain disease or condition. Anus itching generally heals on its own after the sufferer knows and avoids the trigger.
However, in some cases, Pruritus ani can also be caused by a disease that requires treatment.
Causes of Pruritus ani
The causes of Pruritus ani are very diverse, ranging from irritation, consumption of certain foods and drinks, the use of drugs and supplements, to certain conditions or diseases. Here is the explanation:
Irritation
Some conditions that can cause irritation and trigger itching in the anus include:
- Too rough when cleaning the anal area after defecation (BAB)
- Use of soaps, skin cleansing products, feminine hygiene products, or wet wipes that are not compatible with the skin
Food and Drink
Consuming certain foods and drinks can also make anal itching worse. Some of these types of food and drinks are:
- Tomatoes
- Orange
- Milk
- Chocolate
- Spicy food
- Fizzy, alcoholic or caffeinated drinks
Medicines and supplements
Broad-spectrum antibiotics, such as tetracycline and erythromycin, can also interfere with the good bacteria (normal flora) in the gut, causing Pruritus ani.
Infectious disease
Infectious diseases caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, or parasites can also cause anal itching. Some types of infectious diseases are:
- Pinworm infection
- Herpes
- Scabies
- Sexually transmitted disease
Skin disease
Skin diseases that can cause itching in the anus and surrounding areas are:
- Psoriasis
- Eczema
- Lichen planus
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- Contact dermatitis
- Lichen sclerosus
Other diseases
Pruritus ani can also be triggered by other diseases, such as:
- Diarrhea
- Hemorrhoids
- Anal fissure
- Skin tags
- Diabetes
- Fecal incontinence
- Thyroid disease
- Lymphoma
- Anal tumor
- Colorectal cancer
In addition to the above conditions, there are several factors that can make anal itching worse, namely:
- Hot, humid, or wet conditions around the anus
- Unclean washing habits that leave dirt on the skin around the anus
- Rarely change underwear
- Stress and anxiety
Symptoms of Itchy Anus
The main symptom of an itchy anus is the desire to scratch the anus due to unbearable itching. Itchy anus can also be accompanied by other symptoms in the rectal area, such as:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Heat or pain
- Rashes or sores
The itching and irritation can be short or long, depending on the cause of the itching. Itching may also get worse at night, after a bowel movement, or if you scratch frequently.
When to go to the doctor
Immediately consult a doctor if the anus itch for no known cause. Also check with your doctor if anal itching is unbearable, lasts a long time, or if accompanied by:
- Blood or mucus from the anus
- Bumps appear around the anus
- Appears signs of infection around the anus
Pruritus ani Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about symptoms, medical history, medications taken, and how the patient cleans the anus after defecating. A physical examination will also be done to see if there are growing flesh, hemorrhoids, or sores in the anus. Digital rectal examination can also be done to detect anal tumors.
Doctors can also perform additional tests, such as:
- Proctoscopy, to see the condition of the drain by inserting a camera tube into the rectum
- Stool examination, to check for possible anal itching caused by parasitic infection
- Scotch tape test, to check for possible anal itching caused by pinworm infection, by placing a plaster on the patient's anus
Itchy Anus Treatment
Treatment of anal itching depends on the cause. One method that can be done by doctors is to give drugs, such as:
- Corticosteroid cream, if anal itching is caused by dermatitis
- Antibiotics, antiviral, antifungal, or antiparasitic, if anal itching is caused by infection
If itchy anus is caused by another condition, the doctor will take further action. For example, anal itching due to hemorrhoids can be treated with a hemorrhoid ligation procedure or surgical removal of hemorrhoids.
To help the healing process, patients can make several independent efforts below:
- Do not scratch the anus even if it itches, because it will only make the itching go away longer.
- Cut fingernails short and wear cotton gloves to prevent injury from unconscious scratching of the anus during sleep.
- Apply a cream containing zinc oxide or petroleum jelly to keep the anal skin moist.
- Do a sitz bath, which is soaking the anal area in warm water for 20 minutes after defecating, to help relieve itching and irritation.
- Always make sure the anal area and surrounding area are dry before wearing underwear.
Itchy Anus Complications
Anal itching that lasts for a long time, especially if you scratch it often, can cause the skin around the anus to become rough and thickened. The habit of scratching the itchy anus can also cause sores and infections in the anal skin. As a result, the patient will feel more and more uncomfortable.
Itchy Anus Prevention
There are several efforts that can be done to prevent the appearance of itching in the anus, namely:
- Clean the anus after defecation with clean water. Do not use soap and wet wipes that contain fragrance.
- Dry the anal area with a towel gently and do not rub. Make sure the anal area is dry before wearing underwear.
- Avoid consumption of food, drink, and drugs that can trigger irritation in the anus. Apply a healthy diet to avoid constipation or diarrhea.
- Use cotton underwear and change it every day. Do not wear underwear that is too tight so the anus is not damp.
- Wash hands with soap and running water before cooking and eating to avoid worm infection. Avoid touching food with unclean hands.
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