What Can Cause Anal Itching?
The first thing you should know about anal itching is that it is a symptom - and not an actual medical problem itself. Indeed, if left unresolved, anal itching can lead to further health issues in the rectum and anus, however - by and large - the existence of anal itching simply suggests that there is something which needs to be treated.
In the following article, we will take a look at the most common causes of anal itching, and the discomfort it causes to those who are unlucky enough to suffer from it. As you will soon see, there are a number of possibilities, right from the harmless effects of the food you eat - to much more disturbing things such as anal ulcers, fissures, hemorrhoids, worms, and infections.
To begin with, it should be said that there is no need for alarm. If you are regularly suffering from anal itching, but find that it is manageable - there is no need to rush in to the emergency room. You simply need to investigate yourself - or consult a doctor, to get a reliable and realistic analysis of what is causing you the discomfort of anal itching.
Potential Reasons
Here is a list of the most common medical developments which can manifest with the symptom of anal itching.
- Chemicals in foods.
We all know, what goes in - must come out. Unfortunately, if you are consuming foods which contains a number of irritable ingredients, the rectum can suffer when the waste products are expelled. This can lead to a mild case of anal itching, and is not a major cause for concern.
- Diarrhea
Because diarrhea is full of moisture, and because the anus is not used to passing watery waste - this represents a change in the environment of the rectum, and hence can result in irritation and itching.
- Pinworms
These are the most common causes of a long term case of anal itching. Pinworms are very small, thread like parasites which grow in the intestines after the consumption of infected meat. As they reproduce, some of the worms drop down in to the lower rectum, and hence as they move - they cause an intense itching feeling.
- Abnormal Growths
For obvious reasons, abnormal growths in the anus or in the rectum walls can trigger anal itching. This needs to be evaluated by a medical professional.