An itchy bottom is a condition that makes the area around excretory opening itchy. In this piece, find how to cure it at home, the causes, especially at night, symptoms, why it may come with no worms plus more, relieve tips
Why the Itch?
The persistent urge to scratch your bottom is likely to occur once in a while. Anyone can experience it. Medics call it pruritus ani. There are usually many causes that bring about this condition.
At the same time, this condition may be a sign of another underlying condition or illness.
As you will learn shortly, this condition can be cured at home without having to visit a doctor. There are also some treatment options that are available to curb this.[1]
Causes-Diseases, Medications, Infections etc.
Thrush and fungal infections are a common cause of the itching. They do well in moist, warm and areas that lack aeration. This is especially common if you have diabetes.
Threadworm infection is yet another cause. This is especially the case in children at some stage in life. The worms inhabit the gut and lay their eggs around the area and hence causing the itch.
The itching is likely to face you during the night time hours.
Diseases
There are diseases that are very prominent in causing the itching. The diseases include lymphoma, diabetes, iron deficiency, and some liver diseases.
Some Medications
There are some medications like antibiotics that cause diarrhea. The passage of liquid stool leads to irritation hence bringing about the itch.
More to that, some medications may weaken the immune system and give room for infections. The infections in turn affect the skin and hence irritation.
Colchicine and peppermint oil can bring about the itch as a side effect. There are also medications that are inserts and can irritate the skin.
Idiopathic and unknown causes
Skin irritants and some ointments can cause itch. Apart from that, sweat and the toilet tissue that you use can give an itch.
It has also been observed that if you have depression, you will get the irritation around your bottom skin. There is however no clear research that points out to depression as the cause of the itch.
Rectal itching also comes about as a result of many other factors which include;
- Skin related problems such as irritation, tear/ scratching due to over cleaning, dry skin due to age etc.
- Skin tags
- Leakage of stool and mucous,
- Hemorrhoids
- Some spicy foods
- Rectal warts
- Crohn’s disease,
- parasite infections: ringworms, pinworms, hookworms etc.
More other possible causes include; cancer, Diarrhea, sexually transmitted infections, pinworms, rectal fistula, psoriasis, eczema, scabies, sweating, erythrasma, seborrhea
Rectal itching Symptoms
Patients suffering from this condition may experience some of the following signs and symptoms
- Rash
- Stool with blood
- Persistent itch
- Rectal Bleeding
- Penile Itching
The intensity of itching is thought to get worse with
- Sitting
- Moisture
- Pressure
Itchy Bum Hole not Worms
Why bum hole itchy but no worms? Here are possible reasons why is the case
Some foods
There are some foods that will give you an irritation whenever they are expelled as the gut moves. They include caffeine, beer, chocolate, nuts and airy foods.
Hemorrhoids/piles
These are swellings that occur around the skin and have enlarged and swollen blood vessels around the area.
Fistula
This is a small tract that will form around your opening and the surface of the skin around that covers the area. This would cause you an irritation.
Fissure
This is an open sore that develops around the lining the concluding part of the large intestine. They also can cause some irritation and soreness.[3]
How to cure an itchy bum hole-home remedies
Generally, for you to free yourself from itching, you should maintain high levels of hygiene, keep the area free from irritants an make it cool and dry. There are however some self-care measures that you can undertake and you will be free from this. They include:
Use of ghee
This is a home remedy that contains antibacterial, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. These characteristics help to give a soothing effect to the irritated membranes. Apart from that, it helps to reduce the swelling of blood vessels and treat the infections all the same. The directions of use are as follows:
- Get a teaspoon of ghee and slightly warm it
- after that, rub the warmed ghee by use of your index finger
- carry out the procedure for some minutes
- immediately you are through with this, ensure your hands are rinsed with a lot of clean water
- repeat the whole procedure until you achieve relief from the itch
Apply some petroleum jelly
This has wide recommendation by most gastroenterologists (digestive system specialists). The moment you realize that you have an itching sensation, apply with a lot of care some amount of petroleum jelly so as to get immediate relief.
The jelly acts as a lubricant and this plays a role in reducing friction and irritation. In addition, the jelly gives you a cooling sensation and reduces the burning sensation that comes with the itching. You have to apply the jelly to the affected area about two to three times daily.
Take plenty of water
If you take about 10 to 12 glasses of clean water, then you are able to flush out any toxins that get into your digestive system. Water also provides some relief from itching and soreness around the area. After passing out stool, you should ensure that you clean well.
Use ice packs
This is a remedy that is most useful in case you have inflamed hemorrhoids. Inflamed hemorrhoids is known also to cause itchiness. The following are some of the directions that you can use to achieve this:
- Obtain some ice cubes and put them in a container that does not allow them to melt
- After that, apply the ice to the affected area after every about 10 to 15 minutes
- carry out the procedure about 5 times in a day
Avoid the use of scented soaps
These soaps are prominent for causing irritation to the area. Your skin is very sensitive to most irritants and hence these soaps can bring about a complication because of the chemicals used to scent them.
Use psyllium husks
They good due to their usefulness in curbing constipation. Apart from that, they also cleanse the stomach and get rid of all the harmful bacteria that is found in the gastric duct. This in the long run goes a long way to prevent itching. The procedure is as below:
- Get a tablespoon of psyllium husks and a glass of slightly hot milk
- Mix the two ingredients very well
- Then drink the mixture and this will travel down the digestive tract to treat constipation and irritation.
Wear loose-fitting and cotton underwear
Loose-fitting underwear are good to provide aeration whereas cotton underwear is important because they help to absorb moisture. Nylon or pantyhose underwear tends to trap moisture and this might aggravate the situation.
Control your diet
There are foods that you ought to avoid and they include liquor, beer, soda and beverages. Spicy foods should also not be part of your diet. When you have this condition, you should avoid these foods for about two weeks before you begin using them slowly.
Apple cider vinegar
This is used because it can alkalize your body, control infections and in the long run reduce itching. The way this can be approached is as follows:
- Make a combination of a glass of water and a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
- Take the mixture two times in a day
The other option would be you:
- Make a mixture of apple cider vinegar and some water to make a hot bath
- After that, you soak yourself in the mixture for about 20 minutes
- Repeat the procedure once a day.
Use coconut oil
This oil has antifungal, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. These can therefore decrease the itching and the infections around the affected area
Further, it goes ahead to eliminate intestinal worms that are responsible for the itch at times. The procedure involves warming up some coconut oil and then rubbing it around the area affected every day.
Garlic
It provides treatment from the inside then goes ahead to get rid of the intestinal worms. Similarly, it has some antiseptic, antifungal and antibacterial properties that will help you reduce the itching symptoms within a short time. The procedure is as follows:
- Grind some amount of garlic cloves
- Boil the garlic with ½ cup of milk
- Take the mixture when you are very hungry
- Repeat the whole procedure every day for about a week
Use aloe vera
This herb has some soothing properties and can end up relieving you from inflammation, soreness and the resultant itching. The procedure of getting this benefit is as below:
- Make an extract of aloe vera gel from aloe vera leaf
- Apply the gel around your affected area for about 5 minutes
- Carry on with the process until the itchiness and soreness disappears
Yogurt
It can be used because it has probiotics that can bring the infection around your area under good control. This will in the long end reduce the resultant itchiness and soreness of the skin. to make a proper remedy, you rub the yogurt to the affected skin for about 20 to 30 minutes after which you rinse with a lot of water.
Other ways to Stop/Relieve
You should avoid some creams
They should be avoided because the skin around the area is very sensitive. The cream makes the skin to be thinner and hence cracks it hence irritation. You should not use the cream for more than 10 day if at you must use. You should also not use the cream on your child if it is below 2 years.
Do not scratch
Scratching further irritates the skin and brings about inflammation. If there is so much urge to scratch, then a cold compress would help give you some relief. Ensure that you nails are well trimmed and put on a cotton glove before you sleep to avoid scratching.
Avoid or handle stress appropriately
The way you handle stress matters because of its effects on your immune system. Lowered immune system gives way for other infections.
Maintain regular of the gastrointestinal tract
There are times when the bowel movement is the problem and cause of the irritation. In this case, add some fiber to your diet.
Drugs/ Medications
The treatment in this case is dependent on the causative agent. Your doctor will in most cases prescribe some oral antihistamine till the itch disappears. The antihistamines work again the action of histamine, which is a chemical that is produced during an allergic reaction. This is in the case that the itching persists for a longer period.
More to that, there are soothing ointments that you can use to get some relief. You will apply the gel in the morning and at night before you retire to bed. You should also apply after each bowel movement.
More to that, you could use topical applications around the sore or inflamed skin. Mild ones are the best for use in this case. The application will make you reduce the swelling and reduce the urge for you to scratch.
References
[1]http://www.webmd.boots.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/guide/skin-problems-treatments-overview-facts
[3]http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/itchybottom/Pages/Causes.aspx
