It’s too embarrassing to talk about so I suffer in silence. DON’T!
Anal itch, or Pruritus Ani is a very common condition that most of us experienced at one stage or another. Sometimes it just comes and goes and we never know what caused it, yet the most common causes generally fall into these categories:
- Moisture and Stool Irritation. Small amounts of stool or leakage due to factors like diarrhea, hemorrhoids or minor incontinence as well as excessive moisture from perspiration can irritate sensitive skin around the anus.
- Too Much or Too Little Hygiene
Using harsh soaps, wet wipes or overactive wiping will strip your skin of precious natural oils. This can cause dryness and irritation.
3. Contact Allergens
Products like scented soaps, bubble bath and other synthetic shower or wash gels can cause skin reactions often referred to as “contact dermititis”. This also includes body sprays, dyes and bleaches in toilet paper as well as some ointments or creams for other skin conditions.
4. Structure Issues Around The Anus
Swollen blood vessels as seen with Hemorrhoids (Piles), can cause moisture and mucus leakage, leading to irritation. Anal fissures, or small tears in the lining of the anal canal can cause pain as well as discharge resulting in skin irritation.
5. Skin Conditions and Infections
Conditions causing an all over issue like dermatitis, eczema or psoriasis may also become problematic around the anus.
Fungal infections like candida or yeast overgrowth, more common in warm, moist environments and possibly people with diabetes present another possible cause.
6. Dietary Factors
Certain foods like citric foods, chocolate, tomatoes and curries as well as some drinks like beer and coffee can relax the anal sphincter, resulting in leakage. These may also irritate the skin as they pass.
Less common and systemic causes like diabetes, thyroid disease and rare certain types of cancer have been recorded. In any event, it is certainly a good idea to discuss this condition with your doctor or health care provider.
For my own simple tips from experience, watch my video here:
I was born in 1965 in Nuremberg, Germany, to a German mother and a Turkish father. Growing up in a blend of two rich cultures gave me a deep appreciation for food, farmers, and the traditions that nourish us—though I didn’t fully realize this until much later in life.
So how did I end up as a health store owner?
Well, life has a funny way of guiding us toward our purpose.
In my early 20s, I worked in export for a well-known sports company in Germany. But I had a dream of living abroad. That dream led me first to Ireland, then to Australia, and eventually back to Ireland—where I’ve made my home ever since.
