Anal itching is a common condition. The itch, situated in or around your anus, is often intense and may be accompanied by a strong urge to scratch. You may find anal itching to be embarrassing and uncomfortable. Also called pruritus ani proo-RIE-tus A-nie , anal itching has many possible causes, such as skin problems, hemorrhoids, and washing too much or not enough.
Skin conditions, digestive issues, and chronic diseases are all potential culprits for this common yet embarrassing problem. Here are some of the common causes of itchy butt, and how you can find relief. In many cases, itching in the perianal region around the anus has to do with how a person is wiping after a bowel movement. This is more commonly the case in young children or in older adults with mobility issues, as opposed to healthy adults. On the other hand, too much wiping—or the wrong kind of wiping—can also lead to irritation and itching. Ansari writes, since they can contain chemicals—like alcohol, witch hazel, and other astringents—that can further irritate already sensitive skin.
The ailment is known as pruritus ani , meaning "itchy anus" in Latin. Talk about a straightforward translation. Some people have "primary" pruritus ani, which means their anus is itchy for no apparent underlying reason.
Itchy bottom pruritus ani is characterised by a strong urge to scratch the skin around your anus. As itchy bottom is a symptom rather than a condition itself, many cases have an underlying cause, for example:. In children, an itchy bottom is often caused by threadworms.