Causes and Features of Anal Itching
Cause | Common Features* | Tests |
|---|---|---|
Anal or rectal disorders | ||
Inflammatory bowel disease (such as Crohn disease) | Discharge of pus Pain in the rectum (sometimes) and/or abdomen (often) Sometimes diarrhea | Examination of the lower portion of the large intestine, the rectum, and the anus with an endoscope (sigmoidoscopy) or of the entire large intestine (colonoscopy) |
Hemorrhoids (internal or external) | With internal hemorrhoids, bleeding (a small amount of blood on toilet paper or in the toilet bowl) With external hemorrhoids, a painful, swollen lump on the anus | A doctor's examination Usually examination of the rectum with an endoscope (anoscopy) or sigmoidoscopy |
Infections | ||
Bacterial infection (caused by scratching) | Inflamed, red area, sometimes visible scratches | A doctor's examination |
Yeast infection (Candida) | A rash around the anus | A doctor's examination Sometimes examination of a sample of skin scrapings under a microscope (to identify the fungus) |
Usually in children Sometimes present in several family members | Microscopic examination of transparent tape that was applied to the anal area to check for pinworm eggs | |
Intense itching, usually worse at night Possibly itching of other body areas Possibly pink, thin, slightly raised lines or bumps (burrows) on the affected areas | A doctor’s examination Examination of skin scrapings | |
Skin disorders | ||
An itchy, red, oozing, and crusty rash | A doctor’s examination | |
Cancer of the skin around the anus (perianal skin) | Scaly or crusty area | Examination of a tissue sample (biopsy) |
Sometimes itchy or painful patches on the skin | A doctor's examination | |
Small flap of tissue on the anus | A doctor’s examination | |
Medications | ||
Antibiotics | Current or recent use of an antibiotic | Elimination of the antibiotic to see whether symptoms are relieved |
Foods and dietary supplements | ||
Symptoms that occur after a substance is ingested | Elimination of the substance from the diet to see whether symptoms are relieved | |
Hygiene-related problems | ||
Excessive sweating described by the person, particularly with wearing of tight and/or synthetic clothing | Measures to limit sweating (such as wearing loose cotton underwear and changing underwear frequently) to see whether symptoms are relieved | |
Overly meticulous or aggressive cleansing of the anal area Poor cleansing | Extreme cleansing practices described by the person | A change in cleansing practices to see whether symptoms are relieved |
Skin irritants | ||
Anesthetic preparations, ointments, soaps, and sanitary wipes | Use of a possibly irritating substance described by the person | Avoidance of the substance to see whether symptoms are relieved |
* Features include symptoms and the results of the doctor's examination. Features mentioned are typical but not always present. | ||