Anal Pruritus (Anal Itching)
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Anal Pruritus (Anal Itching)
Coffee, tea, beer, and colaChocolateTomatoesCitrus fruits, such as oranges or grapefruitDiseases that affect the anus, such as:- An anal abscess " пїЅ This is a lump that happens when a gland inside the anus gets infected. - An anal fistula " пїЅ This is a tunnel that forms between the anal gland and the place where the abscess is on the skin. - Cancer " пїЅ Some people who get anal, rectal, or colon cancer have anal itching.
Diseases caused by infection with a bacteria or fungus. Is there anything I can do on my own to get rid of anal itching? " пїЅ There are some things you can try. These include: пїЅ пїЅ
If the itching is worse at night, you can take medicines called antihistamines (sample brand names: Benadryl, Aler-Cap). пїЅ пїЅ
You can also try NOT eating or drinking things that can cause anal itching or diarrhea. For example, some people get diarrhea when they drink milk or eat foods made with milk. пїЅ пїЅ
Will I need tests? " пїЅ Maybe. Your doctor or nurse will do an exam and learn about your symptoms. You might also have the following tests: пїЅ пїЅ
How is anal itching treated? " пїЅ If a medical condition is causing the anal itching, doctors can treat that condition. This usually gets rid of the itching. пїЅ пїЅ
A few people have anal itching even after trying different things to stop it. If this happens, doctors can give other ointments and in rare cases an injection (shot) of medicine around the anus. This can stop the itching. пїЅ пїЅ
Can anal itching be prevented? " пїЅ You can reduce your chances of getting anal itching by: пїЅ пїЅ
All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ
This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ
Release: 22.8 - C22.206 пїЅ пїЅ
пїЅ пїЅ 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you.The use of UpToDate content is governed by the UpToDate Terms of Use. пїЅ пїЅ2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ
- An anal abscess " пїЅ This is a lump that happens when a gland inside the anus gets infected.
- An anal fistula " пїЅ This is a tunnel that forms between the anal gland and the place where the abscess is on the skin.
- Cancer " пїЅ Some people who get anal, rectal, or colon cancer have anal itching.
- Psoriasis " пїЅ A skin condition that can cause a rash and itching.
- Dermatitis " пїЅ A skin rash that can happen after your skin touches something that irritates it or something you are allergic to. This could be a skin cream, laundry detergent, or something else that touches the area around your anus.
- Keeping the anus and skin around it clean and dry " пїЅ You can:Wipe gently after a bowel movement, using a moist pad or tissueNOT use a cleaning lotion, such as witch hazel " пїЅ This can make symptoms worse.Take a bath after you have a bowel movement " пїЅ Use mild, unscented soap. Pat the area dry with a soft towel or use a hair dryer on the cool setting.Put some unscented talcum powder on the skin around the anus " пїЅ This can help keep the area dry.
- Putting an anti-itch ointment on the area " пїЅ You can use an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream (sample brand names: Preparation H, Anu-med HC). But do not use anti-itch cream for more than 2 weeks.
- Putting a zinc oxide skin ointment or paste on the area (sample brand names: Desitin, Balmex)
- Wipe gently after a bowel movement, using a moist pad or tissue
- NOT use a cleaning lotion, such as witch hazel " пїЅ This can make symptoms worse.
- Take a bath after you have a bowel movement " пїЅ Use mild, unscented soap. Pat the area dry with a soft towel or use a hair dryer on the cool setting.
- Put some unscented talcum powder on the skin around the anus " пїЅ This can help keep the area dry.
- Biopsy " пїЅ If the doctor or nurse finds a growth, he or she will take a small sample of tissue from the area. Another doctor looks at the sample under a microscope to check for cancer.
- Colonoscopy " пїЅ This test looks at the inside lining of a persons large intestine, called the "colon. " пїЅ During a colonoscopy, the doctor puts a tube with a tiny camera into your anus and up to your colon. This lets the doctor look for cancer or other problems. Before a colonoscopy, you get medicine to make you relax.
- Keeping the area around the anus clean and dry
- NOT eating foods that can cause anal itching or diarrhea
Digestive system
This drawing shows the organs in the body that process food. Together these organs are called "the digestive system," or "digestive tract. " пїЅ As food travels through this system, the body absorbs nutrients and water.
Graphic 66110 Version 4.0
Digestive system
This drawing shows the organs in the body that process food. Together these organs are called "the digestive system," or "digestive tract. " пїЅ As food travels through this system, the body absorbs nutrients and water.
Graphic 66110 Version 4.0