Digestive Problems
Common Symptoms: Anal Itching
Pruritus ani (anal itching) is a rash or irritation of the anal skin. The skin just outside the anal opening is raw and chapped. There may be little ulcers or sores on the anal skin. This can cause severe itching, burning and even pain.
Pruritus is not due to an infection. It is not due to a cancer, and it will not turn into cancer. It is caused by the irritation of the anal skin by chemicals in the stool and in soaps.
When toilet paper is used to wipe the anal area after bowel movements, it has a tendency to smear some of the bowel movement material over the anal skin. Dry toilet paper cannot remove all of this stool material. Therefore, it leaves a thin layer on the anal skin which dries and irritates the skin. This dryness and irritation of the anal skin can be made worse by soaps and vigorous washing.
Pruritus ani can be very painful and uncomfortable and it can last a long time. Fortunately, it is fairly easy to treat with the use of natural vegetable powder applied to the anal area daily in liquid, and with the practice of water hygiene. You should use toilet paper that has been moistened with water to clean the anal area after bowel movements. In addition, Vaseline or petroleum jelly can be applied to the anal region one, two or three times a day to decrease the symptoms. Commercial wet wipes should be avoided as the chemicals in these products may exacerbate the problem.
Soap makes itching worse. One of the most important things in reducing the pruritus is to stop using soaps to wash the anal area. Soap removes the natural oils from the anal skin and this makes the dryness worse. However, if you feel you must use soap, try to use it less often, and use a moisturizing skin care bar (such as Tone or Dove) which is less likely to remove the natural oils of the skin.