Anal Itching Treatment and Self Help Tips

Nobody wants to spend their life private or public scratching their butt. In private it is annoying, in public it is a most embarrassing problem.

First off anal itching treatment is directed at relieving the intensity of symptoms and self help is directed at preventing and not needing treatment. The burning, itching and soreness need relief. Clean the area, make sure to dry the anus. This should include taking a shower with no direct rubbing of the area at all. Use moist pads after a bowel movement and for the acute stage do not use toilet paper.

Use an over the counter product to relieve itching. Products containing cortisone or antihistamine are helpful but should not be used for more than a week.

You need to control the itching.

Try the following:

Stop the itching/scratching cycle of anal itching. Nighttime scratching when your sleeping needs control. Take an oral antihistamine at bedtime.

Either take a warm bath or squirt warm water over the anus three times a day and if possible after a bowel movement. Make sure to dry off carefully but thoroughly. You can use a low setting hair dryer to dry with. Blowing too hot air can set your bottom on fire and make the problem worse.

If a food may be the cause, then cut out known causes, such as; coffee, tea, cola, alcoholic beverages, chocolate, tomatoes, spicy foods, and excessive amounts of vitamin C, for a minimum of 2 weeks. Then slowly add the items back to your diet, one item at a time, until you determine which food is the cause of the itching.

Trim your fingernails short if you find yourself scratching irritated skin at night. Wear cotton gloves or socks on your hands at night to help stop the unconscious scratching that can occur while you sleep.

Control your stress.

If Over the counter aids have not helped then it is time to get the opinion of your doctor. Your doctor can check to see whether you have any conditions such as hemorrhoids, fissure, warts, psoriasis, eczema, fungal infections or other infections that need treatment. Then he will prescribe what is needed to cure it.

Self Help Tips

The most important thing you should remember is that anal itching is normally taken care of with good hygiene.

Remember the anus area is folds and wrinkles.

Our bodies do change and may become sensitive to something we have been using for years. So do not throw out the simple or obvious ideas that can help you.

It may seem like it will take a lot of time to get into the routine of anal care. If it will keep you from digging your fingers into your bottom when at a restaurant wouldn’t a few extra minutes be time well spent?

The following may help your routine

Wash your anal area after you have moved your bowels, some physicians recommend using Aqueous cream as a cleanser, but make sure to rinse it well.

Dab at the anus, Never rub or scratch at it with a cloth. If it is hard to dry, then use a hair dryer on cool.

Dust a cotton ball with powder, make sure it is not perfumed or talcum and place in your underpants against your rectal opening to help keep it dry. Make sure to change this each time you use the bathroom

If the anal itching is acute and you are taking frequent sitz baths remember to never use bubble bath, or perfumed oil. Instead use a handful of kitchen salt in the water.

Do not wear shape wear underwear, it will only make you sweat

Do not use special detergents that have perfume or biological enzymes for your underwear.

Use detergents that say for sensitive skin

Do not scratch. I know it can become unbearable and if you need to, make sure to find a safe place to do so. Also do not scratch it, instead if you really must do something, pinch the skin between your thumb and forefinger through your clothing.

Sleeping is when we seem to be the best at scratching ourselves. You can put gloves on to help keep the damage to a minimum, keep your fingernails short and most of all ask you doctor about an antihistamine. Antihistamines are good for the itching and
will aid in sleep.

Don’t not use Vaseline or anything like it. It will keep the area soggy and make the problem worse

Use steroid creams for short term only. In short term use they can make the inflammation decrease and thus the itching but in long term it can make the skin thin and worsen the problem.

Witch Hazel is and old time remedy. You dab it on twice a day. If it seems to make the problem worse stop.

An old wives tale I heard and I tried and indeed it did work.Place a banana skin against the opening for intense itching times.

It is most important to know your body, to do this you must occasionally feel around for lumps or skin tags or hemorrhoids.

Avoid foods that cause flatulence (farting)

It is time to be embarrassed no more over that most frustrating of actions, “the anal itching, oh no my bottom itches, scratch”. Try some of these hints and tips and find relief now. If you try these and nothing changes or it gets worse then try some over the counter anal itching medical help and if that does not help, go see your doctor.