This book describes Pruritis (Itchy) Anus, Diagnosis and Treatment and Related Diseases
Pruritis anus or pruritis ani is a term meaning "itchy anus" and is described as an unpleasant sensation of the skin around the anus (i.e., rectal opening) that induces the desire to scratch.
This is the sense of constant perianal itching, producing a desire to scratch the anus.
It is a symptom and NOT a diagnosis.
Pruritis ani can be classified as primary or secondary.
1.The primary form is the classical syndrome which may have an unknown cause (idiopathic)
2.The secondary form has an identifiable, and often often treatable, cause.
The slightest stimulation of the skin may cause itching.
The resultant scratching may cause injury to the skin which produces a bigger area of irritated skin.
Persistent scratching induces the need to scratch more, making the problem worse.
Anal itching happens when the skin around the anus becomes irritated by some agent.
The person may feel an intensive itch around and just inside the anus.
The discomfort of the skin around the anus, inducing an absolute need to have to scratch, can have many causes.
The region around the anus is hot and humid.
Indeed, there is no ventilation around this area.
There may be excessive sweating, which stimulate the irritating environment.
Finally, a micro-organism infection may form around the anus.
Pruritis ani is a frequent medical problem involving children, men and women
Pruritis ani most often involves adults, affecting from 1% to 5% of people in the general population.
Men are more often affected than women with a 4:1 ratio.
The disorder is most frequent in people age 40s to 60s.
Causes
Anal itching may be caused by:
1.Spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol, and other irritating foods and beverages
2.Scents or dyes in toilet paper or soap
3.Diarrhea
4.Hemorrhoids, which are swollen veins in or around the anus
5.Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
6.Taking antibiotics
7.Yeast infections
8.Parasites, such as pinworms, which more often happen in children
This symptom of pruritis or itching is frequent to many anorectal disorders.
One must consider hemorrhoids, excessive skin tags, fecal soiling or incontinence, anal fistulae (abnormal passageways between the bowel and an organ or skin surface), anal fissures (painful clefts or grooves) and anal warts as possible causative agents.
It is not always clear what causes the long-standing history of primary pruritis ani.
It is thought that an irritating secretion from the anal canal may induce the itching.
Occasionally, itching may also be psychogenic (symptoms from the mind, as opposed to physical).
Other possible causes of irritation are moisture from sweat, stool and mucus.
Studies have indicated that the relief of symptoms can happen instantly after the stool has been cleansed from the perianal area, suggesting that stool is likely an irritant cause of itching.
Besides inadequate hygiene, overzealous hygiene with the use of many irritating soaps, scents, and lotions may cause pruritis ani, resulting in this disorder occasionally being referred to as "polished anus syndrome."
Dietary factors may also have a part in pruritis ani.
Coffee is believed to be a major causative factor.
An office biopsy with a small 3 or 4 mm sample of tissue may also be taken to help with diagnosis
Treatment:
Scratching always make the itch worse
Do not scratch
The person should keep dry with a clean, soft towel or plain toilet paper.
A short course of a steroid ointment may be...