These are a group of conditions that affect the rectum and anus the end of the bowel where it meets the skin at the bottom and the skin surrounding the anus. They can be broadly grouped into four different categories based on symptoms:. Although sometimes socially embarrassing, itchy bottom also known as pruritus ani is very common and usually has a simple cause and remedy which can be self-managed. However, if the measures outlined below do not work your doctor should be consulted as antifungal or other creams may be indicated or other diagnoses considered.
Pruritus Ani (Anal Itching): Management and Treatment
Anal Yeast Infection: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
Yeast infection: hearing those two words together is enough to make many women feel all kinds of itchy down there. But it turns out the same type of infection, caused by a fungus called candida, can make other places in your body itch and burn as well. Luckily, Kathleen Green, M. The fungus alone isn't the culprit, Green says, but when the yeast outgrows the other "good bacteria" in the body, that's when an infection can form. Things that add moisture like sweating, having sex, or sitting too long in a wet bathing suit are known to create the perfect environment for yeast to thrive in the vagina. Extra moisture in other already damp, dark places in the body can cause the fungus to grow, too. Here are some of the other random places in the body that could be affected.
A yeast infection develops when Candida fungi, which is a type of yeast, grow uncontrollably on the surface of the skin or in mucous membranes inside the body. People can develop yeast infections anywhere inside or outside of their body, including the mouth, throat, vagina, penis, or anus. An anal yeast infection often causes intense and persistent anal itching , also called pruritus ani. People can treat anal yeast infections with over-the-counter OTC antifungals or prescription medication.
Usually, treatment focuses on establishing and maintaining a routine for proper anal hygiene. If a secondary or underlying cause is found, the treatment will depend on the specific condition. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services.