If you are a sufferer of pruritus ani (itchy anus), you will relate to this question. Nobody likes to talk about it, but many of us know about the overwhelming, irresistible urge to scratch. It often happens at night and after a scratch and sniff, you are faced with one of the age-old dilemmas. Do you get out of bed and wash your smelly fingers?
Pruritus ani is a real and common condition. It is a chronic itching of the skin around the anus. The skin in that area becomes irritated from digestive products in the stool and this leads to an itchy rash. Excessive wiping or scrubbing with soap and water can make it even worse.
For simple solutions, avoid further trauma to the area (no scratching, no scrubbing), don’t use soap of any kind on the anal area, and when wiping, use wet toilet paper, baby wipes, or a wet washcloth to blot the area clean.
Other things can cause itching in the perianal area including psoriasis, hemorrhoids, fungal infections, and pinworm. So if your itching persists, don’t be embarrassed at being bare-assed. Go see your doctor.
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"Why does my butt itch so much?" was posted on Thursday, September 13th, 2007 at 9:11 pm.
Why does your butt itch?