Read more about treating an itchy bottom. Frequently scratching your bottom may damage or tear the delicate skin around your anus. This may lead to problems such as:. The earlier these complications are diagnosed and treated, the quicker you'll recover. You should visit your GP if the skin around your anus changes or feels painful.
If the cause of your itchy bottom can't be identified and treated, it may last for long periods of time known as chronic itchy bottom. This may cause you to feel embarrassed, anxious or depressed. As the urge to scratch is often worse at night, your sleep may also be disturbed, leaving you feeling tired during the day.
Speak to your GP if your itchy bottom is making you anxious or depressed, or if it's significantly affecting your sleep. The cause of itchy bottom isn't always known. However, it can sometimes be a symptom of another problem or underlying condition.
An itchy bottom may be a sign that your body is trying to deal with an infection. The infection may be:. An itchy bottom can sometimes be a symptom of a sexually transmitted infection STI.
If you've had unprotected sex and think you could have an STI, visit your local sexual health clinic. They can offer advice and provide testing and treatment. Gastrointestinal conditions affect your digestive tract your mouth, throat, stomach, intestines and anus.
Some skin conditions can affect any area of skin on your body, including the skin around your anus. Systemic conditions affect your whole body and can sometimes make your bottom feel itchy. Systemic conditions include:. Some types of medication, including those applied directly to your skin topical , may make your bottom feel itchy.
For example, if you use a cream to treat haemorrhoids, it may irritate the sensitive skin around your anus and make the itching worse. Some topical medicines may also cause contact dermatitis red, itchy skin if used for long periods. If a medicine you're taking is causing an itchy bottom, your bottom should itch less after you've completed the course of medication. Never stop taking a prescribed medication unless advised to do so by your GP or other qualified healthcare professional responsible for your care.
Speak to your GP if you're taking a medicine on a long-term basis and it's causing an itchy bottom. They may be able to prescribe an alternative.
In rare cases, itchy bottom can be a symptom of a gastrointestinal cancer, such as anal cancer or bowel cancer. Most cases of itchy bottom aren't caused by cancer , but it's important that your GP rules out all possibilities. Possible symptoms of bowel cancer include:. Treatment for itchy bottom usually involves following simple self-care measures for a few months.
If necessary, medication may be prescribed to help ease the symptoms. If you still have an itchy bottom after 2 months, or if it returns, you may need to follow this self-care advice for longer. The best way to do this is to use water to gently clean your anus and the surrounding skin. Clean your bottom in this way after every bowel movement and before going to bed each night. You can use soap to clean your bottom, but make sure it's mild and unperfumed so it causes less irritation to your skin.
Wash all of the soap away afterwards. After washing, gently dry your bottom. Avoid rubbing the area vigorously, as this may irritate your skin. Instead, gently pat the skin dry using a soft towel. You can also dry your bottom using a hairdryer on a low heat setting. When you're away from home, you can use damp toilet paper after passing stools, before gently patting your bottom dry. If you have a tendency to sweat, or if your bottom becomes very moist, putting a cotton tissue in your underwear will help absorb the moisture around your anal area.
As well as keeping your bottom clean and dry, there are a number of other self-care measures you can undertake. For example, you should:. If it gets better quickly, it might have been caused by something that does not need treatment, like sweating a lot in hot weather. If it lasts longer, you might be able to get an idea of the cause from any other symptoms you have. But do not self-diagnose — see a GP if you're worried. It's unusual for an itchy bottom on its own to be related to something more serious.
But rarely, it may be a sign of something like anal or bowel cancer, so it's important to get it checked by a GP. Page last reviewed: 28 September Next review due: 28 September Itchy bottom. How to ease an itchy bottom yourself Do gently wash and dry your anus after pooing and before bed wear loose-fitting cotton underwear keep cool — avoid clothing and bedding that makes you overheat have cooler, shorter showers or baths under 20 minutes eat plenty of fibre — such as fruit and vegetables, wholegrain bread, pasta and cereal to avoid runny poo or constipation.
Find a pharmacy. Important: Threadworms An itchy bottom that's worse at night is often caused by threadworms , especially in children. Often, avoiding scratching for a while will allow the skin to heal. Sometimes, however, there is an underlying problem that needs medical attention. Causes of pruritus ani can be either primary, meaning that there is no sign of another condition, or secondary, which means that there is an identifiable underlying cause. Foods that may contribute to anal itching include :.
Sometimes, a problem with the gastrointestinal system can cause itching. Potential issues include:. Psychological causes can sometimes trigger anal itching. In turn, this symptom can lead to anxiety , stress , and depression. In some cases, a person may have trouble sleeping. Anyone with persistent itching should see a doctor.
To identify the cause, the doctor may ask about:. They may also carry out an internal examination called a digital rectal examination.
The doctor will insert a gloved and lubricated finger through the anus into the rectum. There are four stages of primary pruritis ani:. Aqueous cream is available to purchase online. People can choose from several brands of toilet wipes online. The following treatments may be available from pharmacies with or without a prescription.
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