Rectal itching

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Rectal itching

Rectal itching can have many causes, such as:

• Poor cleaning of the rectal area after a bowel movement or the leakage of stool. Itching and discomfort may occur when pieces of stool become trapped in skin folds around the anus.
• Infection, such as viruses (for example, genital warts), bacterial skin infections, pinworms, scabies, fungus, yeast, or parasites.
• A chronic disease, such as diabetes, psoriasis, seborrhea, or cirrhosis of the liver.
• Excessive cleaning or scrubbing of the anal area. Try using lanolin wipes, such as "baby wipes," after a bowel movement. Do not use hot water, strong soaps, scented bubble bath, or scented toilet paper.
• Tight clothing. Avoid wearing panty hose, tight jeans, and underwear made from synthetic materials such as nylon.
• Certain foods. To help relieve rectal itching, avoid foods such as coffee, tea, colas, alcoholic beverages (including beer), chocolate, tomatoes, spicy foods, and excessive amounts of vitamin C for a minimum of 2 weeks. Gradually add the items back to your diet, one at a time, to help determine which food caused the itching.
• Rectal prolapse. When the anal opening loses muscle tone, the wall of the rectum may bulge out of the anus. This may cause irritation and itching of the skin around the anus.

Rectal itching usually can be treated at home. Most rectal irritation and itching can be relieved with gentle treatment of the skin around the anus.

If your rectal itching does not get better or go away with home treatment, schedule an appointment with your health professional to determine the cause of the itching.

Credits

Last updated:	May 22, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer