Pruritus Ani Treatment

Pruritus ani is the medical term for anal itching or itching and irritation of the perianal area. Along with itching, one can also feel a burning sensation in that particular area. Severe pruritus ani can also cause soreness in the perianal are, especially if the area is scratched frequently. It can have numerous causes, some of which can be quite minor and alleviated with some simple methods. However, sometimes, anal itching can be a sign of certain underlying health conditions.

Causes of Pruritus Ani

Pruritus ani or anal pruritus is usually caused by the presence of excess moisture in that area. This can provide a favorable environment for the growth of bacteria and fungus, which can manifest in itching and skin irritation. Bacterial infection, as well as yeast infection can cause anal itching in many people. Mechanical irritation such as, rubbing the area vigorously with toilet paper can also cause anal itching and irritation at times. Other common causes include, diarrhea, anal fissures, constipation, synthetic undergarments, flexural psoriasis and perianal warts.

Sometimes, the itching in the perianal area can be hemorrhoid itching. Chemical irritation, as caused by the excessive use of soap for cleaning that area, use of scented toilet paper and the consumption of certain foods and beverages like, coffee, tea, ketchups, spicy foods, alcohol, cheese, nuts, shellfish, tomato products, chocolates and prawns can also be associated with this condition. Apart from these, some other possible causes are, parasites like, pinworms and threadworms, overuse of laxatives, bowel incontinence, fistulas and psoriasis.

Pruritus Ani Cure

The anal area should be kept clean and dry. Care must be taken that the area is not exposed to excess moisture. After having a bowel movement, the perianal area should be cleaned gently with a moist pad. Rubbing the area vigorously with dry toilet paper should be avoided to prevent further irritation. After cleaning the anal area, it should be dried with a soft toilet paper. To keep the anal area dry, you can place a gauze pad in between the buttocks in such as way that, it touches the perianal area. This can provide relief from the itching and irritation.

Anal itching can be quite annoying at times, and you may need the help of medications to get relief from it. There are several over-the-counter and prescription medications available in the form of creams, gels, ointments, pads and suppositories. Sometimes, local anesthetics are given to provide temporary relief from the itching, irritation and the burning sensation in the perianal area. However, local anesthetics should not be used for a long time. If swelling is present along with itching, then vasoconstrictors can be applied to reduce the swelling. They can help to reduce the pain and itching as well. Vasoconstrictors basically constrict the blood vessels and thus, relieve its symptoms.

Many of the creams and ointments used for its treatment contain protectants, which form a barrier on the skin of the perianal area to prevent its contact with irritating substances. Examples of protectants include, aluminum hydroxide gel, lanolin, kaolin, glycerin, petroleum jelly, mineral oil and zinc oxide. Apart from these, astringents like calamine, witch hazel and zinc oxide, analgesics like, menthol and camphor, antiseptics and topical corticosteroids are sometimes used for the treatment.

However, medications like, corticosteroids should not be used for a prolonged time period, as they can cause some side effects. Long term use of topical corticosteroids can damage the skin. Local anesthetics can also cause allergic reactions in some individuals, which can manifest in itching and burning sensation. Use of local anesthetics should be discontinued if the symptoms worsen after their application. It is always better to talk to a physician before using any kind of medications. This would also help to find out and address the underlying causes of this condition.