What causes long-term anal itching

Anal pruritus is a localized neurological dysfunctional skin disease. This symptom is very common in clinical practice, and many people do not know what causes anal pruritus. Generally speaking, anal itching may be caused by infection, and you should pay attention to the hygiene around the anus.

1. Mental factors

In a considerable number of patients, mental factors play an important role. For example, emotional tension, anxiety, depression, fear, etc. may cause or aggravate the condition.

2. Microorganisms around the anus:

For example, pinworm parasites are often a common cause of anal itching in children. This type of anal itching can be cured through anthelmintic treatment, frequent changing and washing of underpants and other hygiene measures. Candida albicans infection is relatively common, and good results can be achieved if a health manager is used. In recent years, it has been discovered that viral infections such as anal genital infections and molluscum contagiosum can also cause anal itching.

3. There are also many people who suffer from anal itching due to anorectal diseases:

Such as hemorrhoids, anal fistula, anal fissure, anorectal tumors, and chronic diarrhea. Therefore, patients with anorectal diseases must clean their anus every night and treat anorectal diseases in a timely manner.

4. Anal itching caused by systemic diseases

Such as lymphoma, diabetes, vitamin A and vitamin D deficiency, etc.

5. Fecal contamination

Fecal contamination of the skin around the anus can easily cause fecal particles to become fixed around the anus, making them difficult to clean and often causing itching. Especially for obese middle-aged and elderly people with deep anus or excessive anal hair, establishing good anal hygiene habits is the most important treatment method. Clean the anus before going to bed every night, or take a sitz bath with warm water.

6. Skin lesions

Anal eczema, dermatitis, warts, ringworm, sexually transmitted diseases, accumulation of fat and protein secreted by the sebaceous glands, retention of feces in the skin folds around the anus, contact with foreign objects (animal hair, plant hair, fiberglass, dry hard paper and ink, etc.). Excessive sweating often causes anal itching.

7. Anorectal and perineal diseases

Hemorrhoids, anal fissure, anal fistula, anal sinusitis, enlarged anal nipple, rectal prolapse, proctitis, papilloma, adenoma, rectal cancer, vaginitis, urethritis, prostatitis, etc.

8. Fungal Infection

In hot and humid seasons, elderly people with obese and sweaty constitutions are prone to fungal skin infections, which can cause tinea cruris or tinea buttocks. The lesions often expand to the area near the anus, causing perianal itching. The main symptoms are the appearance of annular, semi-circular or map-like erythema with clear boundaries on the inner thigh or buttocks, with a layer of white scale on the surface. When the scraps are scraped off and examined under a microscope, the diagnosis can be confirmed if fungal hyphae and spores are found.