#1: Inadequate Bathroom Habits
If you don’t wipe after you poop or, conversely, you wipe with too much friction, you can cause irritation to the skin in the anal area. If you are experiencing anal itch, be sure to be as thorough as you can in cleaning the area with a wet piece of dye-free, unscented toilet paper or wet wipes, and pat dry with a soft cloth.
#2: Infections
A number of infections and medical conditions can also be at fault. From yeast infections and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to bacterial infections and parasites (such as pinworms), any number of things could be causing your symptom(s). That is why, if symptoms persist for an extended period of time, we always recommend you visit your local gastroenterologist for an examination.
The same kind of bacteria that can cause strep throat can also cause a red, itchy rash around the anus. This kind of infection is more common in children than in adults. More common in adults is a yeast infection.
#3: Your Diet
What you eat and drink may cause anal itching, for example, coffee can loosen your anal muscles, causing stool to leak out, triggering itch. Common dietary culprits of anal itch include:
Spicy foods
Dairy
Chocolate
Nuts
Energy drinks
Alcohol
Soda
Citrus fruit
#4: Stool Problems
If you are suffering from watery or bloody stool, the amount of irritation caused by that and wiping can lead to an irritated, itchy anus.
#5: Your Underwear
Another potential cause of anal intching is your underwear. If your underwear is made of synthetic fibers, it could lead to too much moisture down below, which can cause chafing and other problems. Switch to a fiber such as cotton or wool, as they absorb better. Also, make sure you change your underwear every day and wash them with fragrance-free detergent.
#6: Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are a common cause of anal itching, causing a burning pain sensation around your anus as well. Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in your anus and lower rectum that three out of four adults experience from time to time. They are known to have a number of causes, though often the cause is unknown. Causes may include:
Straining too much during bowel movements
Pregnancy
Regular heavy lifting
Obesity
Sitting for long periods on the toilet
Chronic diarrhea or constipation
Hemorrhoids can be prevented by:
If you notice blood in your stool or suffer pain during a bowel movement, schedule an appointment with your doctor so they can rule out other, more serious conditions.
#7: Anal Fissures
Anal fissures are tiny sores or cuts (i.e., fissures) that can open up in your anus causing itchiness and pain. The most common cause of anal fissures is constipation, though long-term diarhea and Crohn’s disease can also cause them to occur.
#8: Warts
Anal warts can cause itching, and can be caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) — a sexually transmitted disease. Anal warts grow inside and around an anus and can spread also to your genitals. Itching is a common symptom of this illness. Without treatment, warts can grow larger and become more frequent, so be sure to get treated before the condition becomes worse. Untreated anal warts also increase your chances of getting anal cancer.
#9: Pinworms
Pinworms are small worms that can get in your digestive system through contaminated foods, bed linens, and other places that can cause itching at night. This is more common in children. Pinworms look like tiny pieces of white thread in one’s stool. If a child in your family gets pinworms, the whole family may need to be treated for them.
#10: Psoriasis
People who suffer from psoriasis, it’s possible to get this around one’s anus as well. Psoriasis around the anus can be extremely itchy, and can cause pain during bowel movements. Other skin conditions such as seborrhea and eczema can also cause anal itch.
