Pruritus Ani - Symptoms & Treatment

Pruritus ani is a chronic itching of the skin around the anus. The skin of the perirectal area is exposed to irritating digestive products in the stool; this may lead to an itchy rash, especially when stools are frequent. Because of scratching and rubbing, the skin around the rectum may become inflamed, leathery, and red or white in color . Pruritus ani is a symptom, it is not a condition in itself. The urge to scratch may occur at any time. However, it tends to be more common after you have been to the toilet to pass faeces or generally in night. The itch may be made worse by heat, wool, moisture, leaking, soiling, stress, and anxiety. At its most intense, anal itching causes intolerable discomfort that often is described as burning and soreness. It is common in both adults and children. Pruritus Ani is so common today that it is known as the "Space-age" disease. Occasionally, pinworms , lice, fungus, and hemorrhoids may be responsible. Rarely, food allergies, and allergies to drugs such as antibiotics may be the cause. Pruritus ani is also associated with certain systemic disorders such as jaundice, diabetes, lymphoma, and uremia. Pruritus ani is a self-perpetuating disease scratching causes further irritation, which becomes a new source of itching. The cause of pruritus ani may be difficult to determine, thus making pruritus ani a potentially difficult conditions to treat.

Pruritus ani is an intense chronic itching in the anal region. Usually, it begins gradually and becomes a self-perpetuating itch-scratch cycle. Pruritus ani is common, affecting up to 5% of the population, and occurs more often in men than women. It is seldom due to anything serious and those who have pruritus ani are usually otherwise well but it is tiresome, and can be persistent. Pruritis is a medical term for itching. Pruritis is common in many skin conditions, but the term is usually applied specifically to itching when there is no visible cause for it in the skin. The age group which Pruritis attacks is unknown in most cases. It also can be caused by the irritation of frequent liquid stools, diarrhea , or escape of small amounts of stool ( incontinence ). Diseases that increase the possibility of yeast infections, such as diabetes mellitus or HIV infection, as well as treatment with antibiotics can lead to a yeast infection and irritation of the anus. Psoriasis also can irritate the anus. Abnormal passageways from the small intestine or colon to the skin surrounding the anus can form as a result of disease and these fistulas bring irritating fluids to the anal area. Other problems that can cause anal itching include pinworms , hemorrhoids , tears of the anal skin and skin tags (abnormal local growth of anal skin).

Causes of Pruritus Ani

Find common causes and risk factors of Pruritus Ani :

• Alcohol , coffee , tea and spicy foods make pruritus ani worse.
• It may also affect the skin around the anus to cause itch.
• Capsaicin, which is a natural alkaloid extracted from red chili peppers may also be a causes of the disease.
• Rarely a tumour of the anus or rectum is a cause of itch around the anus.

Signs and Symptoms of Pruritus Ani

Sign and symptoms may include the following :

• Shortness of breath.
• Wheezing.
• Swelling in your face or throat.
• Hives.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Soreness and Burning.
• Nausea and severe loss of appetite.

Treatment for Pruritus Ani

Treatment may include :

• Avoid excessive moisture around the anus.
• Use of aqueous cream , mineral oi l or other soap-free cleanser may also help you to get rid of the disease.
• Eat plenty of high fibre foods (cereals, fruit and vegetables). Straining at stool causes cracks in the anus which are irritable and harbour bacteria.
• Avoid excessively loose or otherwise irritating motions.
• Washing the anus in a bidet or a bucket o f lukewarm water is also make the anus clean and improve the condition.
• Some people need to continue the medication once or twice daily indefinitely since the itching returns whenever they stop.
• Avoid excessively loose or otherwise irritating motions.
• Avoid constipation.
• Apply medicated ointment as directed