Along with itching in the rectum, symptoms such as redness, watering, pain, burning, and thickening and hardening of the rectal skin often occur around the anus.
How is Anal Itching Diagnosed?
In addition to the examination, various tests may be requested for diagnostic purposes. The severity of the disease is determined according to the possible underlying causes and the deterioration of the skin tissue. Various diagnostic methods may be needed, such as anoscopy, rectoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, stool analysis, skin biopsy, or allergy testing.
How to Treat Anal Itching
In the treatment, the underlying causes, such as parasites, are sought first. Since such an underlying factor cannot be detected, a multifaceted treatment strategy should be applied according to the results of other tests.
Among them are applications such as a special diet, bath, pomade application, and fungal treatment if necessary. Creams containing steroids or cortisone can be used for a very short time in the treatment. Zinc oxide pomades can also be used.
Things to Think About to Prevent Itching
The use of irritants in food and beverages and the precautions to be taken
- First of all, the use of irritating substances such as cream, soap, shampoo, bubble bath, wet wipes, and toilet paper should be stopped.
- Do not use detergent, soap, etc. in the breech area of underwear. should be washed with soap powder instead. should be driven. should be driven. Cosmetics should not be applied.
- Cutting caffeinated beverages, alcohol (beer, wine), milk and dairy products, nuts, tomatoes, ketchup, chocolate, spices and spicy foods, grapes, and citrus fruits (lemon, orange, tangerine, etc.).
Precautions to be taken to keep the skin in the breech area clean and dry and to protect the integrity of the skin;
- After defecation, the cleaning of that area should ideally be done with hot water in a squatting position. Warm water (at bathroom temperature) and a telephone shower should be applied to the perianal area for 3-5 minutes.
- After washing, the area should either be dried with a special cotton drying towel or dried with a hair dryer.
- Changing underwear every day and putting a small piece of gauze on the breech area will prevent both sweating and itching caused by fecal contamination (in patients with intestinal problems), especially at night.
- Cutting nails short will minimize skin trauma in the itchy area. Also, if there is a strong desire to scratch, it is recommended to scratch the clothes so that the skin does not become irritated.