Itchy Rectum and Anus – Introduction

Anal canal is the last, 2-4 cm long part of the large intestine that ends with the anal opening (anus). Rectum is about 12 cm long part of large intestine between sygmoid colon and anal canal.

Picture of Rectum and Anal Canal

Rectum lesions actually doesn’t itch (but may be painful), since there are no itch receptors (special nerve endings) in rectal mucosa. However, changes may extend from rectum to anal mucosa or groin skin, and these may itch.

Poor Hygiene

Dried feces, dust, scaled skin cells, and sweat, one by one, or all together may cause itchy skin around the anus. Washing with warm or lukewarm water without soap is recommended. Moistened tissues may be used when anus is sensitive.

Dry Skin

Dry skin may cause anal itch, especially in old people and in those who frequently use hot showers or baths. Solution is in avoiding hot showers, and using moisturizing creams like glycerine (but not petroleum jelly like Vaseline).

Spicy Food

Certain foods such as hot spices, caffeine, beer, wine, carbonated beverages, prunes, figs, milk products, nuts, pop-corn, chocolate, tomatoes and citrus fruits cause anal itch, they should be avoided. In some cases irritation is caused by food allergy.

continue reading Itchy Rectum and Anus – Causes and Treatment

What is Itching?

Itching (Latin pruritus) is a skin sensation that provokes a desire to scratch (1). Itching occurs when certain substances produced by the body (e.g. biliary salts, histamine) or those coming from the outside (e.g. wool, nickel) irritate nerve endings in the skin.

Itching is not the same as tingling, or burning pain; they may all appear together though.

Environmental Causes of Itchy Skin

1. Dry Skin

Dry skin (xerosis, winter itch) is common, especially in old people, and may be caused by cold weather, wind, sunburns, prolonged water exposure, frequent hot baths and using soaps (also washing powder and house cleansers) that can thin the protective oil layer on the skin and thus enable losing water through the skin.

2. Sweating

Microbes from normal skin flora break down the sweat (especially in armpits and groin) and yield substances that cause itching. Excessive sweating can be observed in persons with primary hyperhidrosis (increased activity of sympathetic nerves, possibly caused (but not confirmed) by psychological reasons), or secondary hyperhidrosis (e.g. in elevated thyroxine, tuberculosis, malignancies).

continue reading Causes of Itchy Skin