The anus is one of the most innervated parts of our body, and it is said to be a very sensitive and sensitive part. If itching occurs after a bowel movement or when sleeping at night, it not only causes great discomfort in life, but can also act as a cause of lowering the quality of life. Anal pruritus refers to a disease in which the area around the anus is itchy and an unpleasant sensation of scratching appears or a burning sensation such as burning appears. It occurs more frequently in middle-aged and older age groups, and it is known to occur about four times more often in men than in women. The main symptom of anal pruritus is severe itching. It mainly appears on the anus or the skin around the anus, and it gets worse when the body temperature rises before going to sleep at night, when the body temperature rises after a bowel movement, when the body temperature rises due to factors such as sweat will take on When the symptoms of anal pruritus persist, it is often accompanied by stickiness in the anus and contaminated secretions from underwear, causing great inconvenience in life. And when the itch is widely distributed to the vulva, it can cause pain in the vulva as well as swelling in a localized form. In addition, if the symptoms of anal pruritus do not improve for a long time, the skin may thicken and the skin may turn white due to the loss of pigment. In addition, the continuous itching makes it difficult to sleep comfortably at night, causing problems such as sleep disturbance and irritability. Therefore, in order to prevent the occurrence of anal pruritus and to prevent the worsening of symptoms, it is important to accurately identify the main cause of anal pruritus and implement appropriate treatment and countermeasures accordingly. Then, we will learn more about the main causes that affect the occurrence of anal pruritus, and various information related to prevention and treatment. The main cause of anal pruritus
Anal pruritus is largely divided into idiopathic anal pruritus of unknown cause and secondary anal pruritus, which is caused by an underlying disease. In the case of idiopathic anal pruritus, it can be caused by not cleaning the area around the anus well after defecation. Also, excessive wiping around the anus after defecation or excessive washing with soap or detergent can cause skin irritation. In addition, consumption of foods containing a large amount of spicy spices and excessive consumption of coffee and alcohol also affect the occurrence, and severe mental stress, nervousness, anxiety, worry, and hot sleeping environment are also known to be deeply related to the occurrence.
And in the case of secondary anal pruritus, it is caused by a pathological condition caused by a specific disease. Local diseases that invade the lower part of the digestive system, such as hemorrhoids, fistulas, and rectal cancer, as well as diseases that cause anal secretions and fecal contamination of the anus, chronic forms of constipation, diarrhea, and anal angiofibroma can. It is known that it can be caused by systemic diseases such as diabetes, jaundice, and leukemia, as well as skin diseases around the anus, contact dermatitis, psoriasis, lichen, eczema, and vitiligo.
Treatment and prevention of anal pruritus
1. Accurate diagnosis and treatment
In order to diagnose pruritus anal, the underlying disease that causes pruritus is identified, and at the same time, the procedure of checking the skin around the anus, diet, medications, defecation habits, and wiping the anus after defecation is carried out. . In addition, colonoscopy, anusoscope, and stool culture tests are sometimes performed to check for accompanying anal diseases and parasites. If the fungal infection of the anus is not confirmed after these several examinations, the habit of keeping the area around the anus clean and at the same time proceeding with drug treatment using antihistamines and steroids to relieve pruritus. Also, if a fungal infection has occurred and it is confirmed that it is related to another underlying disease, it is important to treat the underlying disease as well as proceed with the treatment for the fungus.
2. Keep the anal area clean
In order to prevent anal pruritus and improve symptoms, it is important to refrain from stimulating the anal area and to keep the anal area clean at all times. In particular, in the case of secondary occurrence without a specific cause, not secondary to a causative disease, it is often improved only by improving these lifestyle habits, so it is very important to maintain the habit of maintaining the cleanliness of the anus. After defecation, it is recommended to gently wipe with a tissue and then wash thoroughly with lukewarm water. Since soap can irritate the anus, it is recommended to reduce its use or use a non-irritating soap. In addition, there is a case of excessive wiping with a tissue after a bowel movement, but it is recommended to avoid it as this can cause irritation of the skin and make itching more severe. In addition, there are many cases of using a bidet to clean the area around the anus, but excessive use of a bidet can cause irritation and worsen itching, so it is recommended to be careful. And after washing, it is important to use a dry towel or cloth that is not wet or use a hair dryer to remove moisture and dry the skin well. Also, if the itching persists and is difficult to bear, taking a sitz bath with cold water is a good way. In some cases, steroid ointment is used to relieve severe pruritus symptoms, but if applied for a long period of time, the skin becomes thinner and weaker, which can make symptoms worse, so it is important to use an appropriate amount after a doctor’s prescription.
3. Avoid eating foods that make itching worse
In preventing and improving symptoms of anal pruritus, it is also important to control the intake of caffeine-containing foods such as coffee, tea, and soda. In addition, although various dairy products and nuts have various beneficial effects in the body, it is known that when the symptoms of pruritus are severe, they can worsen the symptoms, so intake should be controlled.
In addition, it is recommended to be careful because excessive spicy spices, excessive consumption of stimulant foods, chocolate, alcohol, and smoking can also make anal pruritus symptoms worse. In addition, symptoms such as constipation, loose stools, and diarrhea act as major factors that aggravate anal pruritus symptoms, so it is recommended to eat a variety of vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, and seaweeds rich in dietary fiber in a balanced way to improve them. It is recommended. In addition, if you sweat a lot, it is recommended to wash off the sweat as quickly as possible by taking a clean shower. Wearing tight-fitting bottoms can make itching worse, so it is recommended to wear loose, comfortable clothes with good ventilation.
