Itchy Anal Self–Care Tips

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Treatment of an itchy anal depends on various factors including the cause and the duration of the itch. The treatment process can include seeing your doctor for medication or taking some self-care steps including the application of anti-itch creams.

In this article, we want to look at some of the steps that you can take to treat yourself right at home.

Home Remedies and Lifestyle Change

Prevention of anal irritation and itching mainly involves avoiding irritants, cleaning properly, and keeping your butt area cool and dry.

However, if you already have an itch, you can try one of these self-care tips to relieve your pain:

Cleanse mildly “ After passing the bowel, clean your anal area with a mild soap and clean water. It might help to use a small squeeze bottle of clean water or moist cotton balls. Do not scrub. The aim is to keep your bottom clean without worsening the situation.

Dry thoroughly– After cleaning, pat your butt dry with a towel or toilet paper. You can even use your hair dryer when in low setting. Another thing you can use to dry the area is to use not medicated talcum. Also, you can place a dry or moistened cotton ball against your anus to help absorb the moisture.  

Do not scratch– Scratching only irritates your skin further and results into stubborn inflammations. You might find some relief if you apply a cold compress to your anal area or take a lukewarm shower. Additionally, trim your fingernails short and put on cotton gloves during the night to help avert scratching.

Wear loose clothing and cotton underwear– Loose clothing and cotton underwear helps to keep your bottom dry. Avoid wearing tight-fitting garments and pantyhose because they can collect and trap moisture.  

Avoid irritants– Avoid genital deodorants, moist wipes, bubble baths, witch hazel products, perfumed soaps, and other products that can irritate your anal area. Avoid or cut back cola, coffee, alcohol, chocolate, tomatoes, spicy foods, citrus fruits, and foods and drinks that can cause diarrhea. Furthermore, avoid overuse of purges.

Apply gels and ointments– Protect your anal skin from moisture by applying petroleum jelly or a thin cover of zinc oxide ointment. You can find a trusted ointment here. Its name is Pranicura and it has more than 700 positive 5-stars-reviews. You may also use a 1% corticosteroid cream 2-3 times per day to ease the itch. However, you shouldn't use this cream for more than 2 week due to its severe side effects, like thinning of your skin.   

Maintain regular and firm bowel movements– If frequent bowel movements or soft stools are your issues, slowly adding fiber to your meals can help. Fiber supplements including a Citrucel or Metamucil can also help.

Sit in a sitz– Do not overlook the relief provided by sitz baths. Use a basin that fits under your toilet seat and soaks your inflamed bottom in warm water for 15 minutes 2 to 3 times per day.

Try elevation– Elevating your legs a bit with stool or something else while sitting on your toilet changes the position of your rectum in a way that might facilitate easier bowel movement. This can help to solve hemorrhoids, a condition that leads to an itchy anus.   

When to Call Your Doctor

Call your doctor if you have:

• A fever.
• A discharge or bleeding from your anus.
• A lump or rash around or in your anus.

Also, call your doctor if the self-care tips above don't help within 3 weeks.

Summary

The above self-care tips might help many people with their anal area itching problems. They can be helpful, together with prescribed treatment methods, even if there are other anal diseases or skin problems.

Think of these three principles:

• Keep your anal skin intact.
• Allow air to circulate naturally.
• Be worry of materials that touch your butt.