Pruritus Ani - Symptoms and Treatment

Pruritus ani is a chronic itching of the skin around the anus. The main symptom is an urge to scratch your anus which is difficult to resist. 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. The itch may be made worse by heat, wool, moisture, leaking, soiling, stress, and anxiety. Pruritus Ani is so common today that it is known as the "Space-age" disease. Pruritus ani is also associated with certain systemic disorders such as jaundice, diabetes, lymphoma, and uremia. Occasionally, pinworms , lice, fungus, and hemorrhoids may be responsible. The cause of pruritus ani may be difficult to determine, thus making pruritus ani a potentially difficult conditions to treat. Numerous factors may cause anal itch to be more intense - including moisture, the abrasion caused by your clothing, and the pressure of sitting. Anal itch is usually most noticeable and bothersome at night or right after a bowel movement. Anal itch is an intense itching around your anus - the 1 1/2-inch-long canal that's the outlet for your rectum. The itch, located in your anus or on the skin just around your anus, may be accompanied by a strong urge to scratch. Pruritus ani is common, affecting up to 5% of the population, and occurs more often in men than women. Pruritus' means itching. Pruritus ani is itching around the opening of the back passage. 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. The anal canal begins at the anal sphincter and ends at the anorectal junction, where there are 8 to 12 anal crypts and 5 to 8 papillae. The anal canal and adjacent skin are innervated by somatic sensory nerves and are highly susceptible to painful stimuli. The canal is lined with anoderm, a continuation of the external skin.

Pruritus is defined as an unpleasant sensation on the skin that provokes the desire to rub or scratch the area to obtain relief. Anal itching is the irritation of the skin at the exit of the rectum, known as the anus, accompanied by the desire to scratch. At its most intense, anal itching causes intolerable discomfort that often is described as burning and soreness. The urge to scratch may occur at any time. It is common in both adults and children. However, it tends to be more common after you have been to the toilet to pass faeces or generally in night. Pruritus is defined as an unpleasant sensation on the skin that provokes the desire to rub or scratch the area to obtain relief. Pruritus Ani is the irritation of the skin at the exit of the rectum, known as the anus, accompanied by the desire to scratch. Pruritus can cause discomfort and frustration; in severe cases it can lead to disturbed sleep, anxiety and depression. For persistent anal itching, efforts are directed toward identifying an underlying cause. Adjustments in diet, treatment of infections, or surgical procedures to correct the underlying cause may be required. The rectal lining consists of red, glistening glandular mucosa, which has an autonomic nerve supply and is relatively insensitive to pain.

Causes of Pruritus Ani

Common Causes of Pruritus Ani :

• Diabetes Mellitus.
• Hyperbilirubinemia.
• Leukemia.
• Aplastic Anemia.
• Thyroid disease.

Symptoms of Pruritus Ani

Some common Symptoms of Pruritus Ani :

• Burning.
• Soreness.
• Anal itch.

Treatment of Pruritus Ani

Some common Treatment of Pruritus Ani :

• Pruritus ani is frequently stubborn and requires months of local medication and gentle skin care.
• Never use soap on the anal area. Cleansing with plain water, in either the shower or bathtub, will do the job.
• 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.
• Eat plenty of high fibre foods. Straining at stool causes cracks in the anus which are irritable and harbour bacteria.
• Wash the anus in a bidet or a bucket of lukewarm water. Moistened tissues or soft toilet paper are next best. Use aqueous cream, mineral oil or other soap-free cleanser . Avoid soap and rough toilet paper.

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