Why is my perineum so itchy

However most lumps are harmless and require little or no treatment. Most conditions can be easily diagnosed by a GP after asking about the problem and carrying out an examination or other tests.

Examination : this usually involves lying on the left hand side of the examining couch to expose the anal area. This can be embarrassing for some patients, but doctors are used to dealing with such problems and it is essential for ensuring the correct diagnosis and treatment. A chaperone can be provided for patients if requested. A visual examination and a digital rectal examination a gloved finger inserted into the rectum will be carried out and the entire rectal wall will be examined to feel for lumps and check for blood.

This may be a bit uncomfortable but is usually not painful. Proctoscopy or rigid sigmoidoscopy: this can be carried out by the GP and involves inserting an illuminated hollow plastic tube into the rectum through which air can be blown to distend the bowel and increase the amount of bowel lining which is visible. Assessment can then be made of the lining of the bowel and a search for lumps and haemorrhoids can be carried out.

However, many GPs will need to make a referral to hospital for these procedures to be carried out. Flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy: i f an explanation for the symptoms is not found by your GP or nurse practitioner, they may refer you to hospital or a specialist centre for these investigations which can examine a much larger area of the bowel. Normally performed as a day case in hospital, they usually involve light sedation and then the insertion of a fibre-optic camera, in the form of a long tube into the rectum which is then passed into the large bowel and allows for biopsies to be taken.

Special X-rays such as Barium enema or CT scans may also be requested. It is often impossible to determine the nature of the problem from the symptoms alone so all cases of bleeding from the bottom, new pain and lumps should be notified to your doctor for assessment. In most cases it is possible for the GP to provide reassurance that the problem is harmless, and easily treatable as above but in a small minority of patients in whom the symptoms or signs could represent a more serious problem, an urgent referral to a bowel specialist will be required.

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Both parties need to understand the limitations of current knowledge about IBS and to It is basically a box that you put your feet on to raise the knees above the Skip to content Search Menu Donate. Perianal disease Download printable version. Overview 2. Diagnosis 4. This factsheet is about perianal disease 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: Itch Pain Lumps Bleeding. Causes and treatment of itching 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. Causes and treatment of pain Pain around the anus is often associated with the passage of stools either during or afterward. Conditions that can cause this pain are varied but some of the most common causes are: Haemorrhoids see above.

Proctalgia fugax is an intense, self-limited pain lasting a few seconds felt in the area between the anus and the genitals. It often comes on at night. The cause is unknown, but the condition is harmless and management is generally aimed at relieving symptoms. Avoid getting constipation by taking a high fibre diet and drinking plenty of water, around two litres a day is usually adequate.

Your doctor may prescribe an anaesthetic cream, which can relax the muscles around the anus, but may also cause headaches. Page last reviewed: 28 September Next review due: 28 September Itchy bottom. How to ease an itchy bottom yourself Do gently wash and dry your anus after pooing and before bed wear loose-fitting cotton underwear keep cool — avoid clothing and bedding that makes you overheat have cooler, shorter showers or baths under 20 minutes eat plenty of fibre — such as fruit and vegetables, wholegrain bread, pasta and cereal to avoid runny poo or constipation.

Find a pharmacy. Important: Threadworms An itchy bottom that's worse at night is often caused by threadworms , especially in children. Non-urgent advice: See a GP if you have an itchy bottom and:. Important Tell the GP immediately if a medicine, cream or ointment makes the itching worse. Find a sexual health clinic. A table showing possible causes of symptoms. Other symptoms with itchy bottom Possible causes Gets worse at night, worms in poo they look like small pieces of thread threadworms , especially in children Lumps, bright red blood and pain when pooing piles haemorrhoids Poo leaking or pooing you cannot control diarrhoea or incontinence Sores, swelling or irritation ringworm or a sexually transmitted infection STI like genital warts Itching elsewhere on the body skin condition, such as eczema or psoriasis While using long-term medicine side effect of steroid creams, some gels and ointments for anal fissure , and peppermint oil.

This injury type can cause burning in the perineum due to nerve damage or swelling in the area that affects nerves. Ideally, this injury and its symptoms will resolve with 2 to 3 days of rest, cold compresses to the affected areas, and taking over-the-counter pain relievers. These are just some examples of common perineal itching or burning causes affecting women. Chronic bicycle, motorcycle, or horseback riding can also cause chronic damage to the perineal nerves. When this is the case, some of the general treatments include:.

Sometimes, a doctor will prescribe medications in addition to recommending antihistamines as a way to break the itch-and-scratch cycle that can keep a person up at night. Examples of these medications may include gabapentin and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs. These include:. Ask your doctor if there are specific preventive approaches you can take given the underlying cause of your perineal discomfort.

They can help determine potential causes and help you feel more comfortable. Anal itching, or pruritus ani, is a common symptom of a variety of conditions. Learn what causes anal itching and what you can do to treat and prevent…. Anal warts are a form of genital warts caused by human papillomavirus HPV. A recessed maxilla can cause cosmetic issues like flat cheekbones and a prominent jaw, and lead to dental problems, speech issues, and obstructed….

If you do tear a meniscus, you might be tempted to "walk it off. A lateral pelvic tilt is when one hip is higher than the other. Learn about five exercises that can help with this condition.