Anal itching is not a disease by itself it is just a sign of something. Anal itching is nothing but the irritation at the skin at the exit of the rectum known as the anus which causes it to scratch. As there is a lot of itching in the area this causes inflammation of the anal area.


The itching could be due to chemical reaction in the stools. If the itching goes on increasing then it causes dryness in the anal area which leads to burning and soreness.

Anal itching could be caused by the food we eat such as are found in spices, hot sauces, and peppers as they could contain some irritating chemical in them.


Anal itching could also develop if a person is suffering from frequent loose stools, diarrhea, or escape of small amounts of stool (incontinence) as moisture increases the possibility of infections of the anus, especially yeast. This is particularly seen in patients with diabetes mellitus or HIV. Sometimes antibiotics could also increase yeast infection. Psoriasis is a noncontiguous common skin condition that causes rapid skin cell reproduction resulting in red, dry patches of thickened skin which could also cause itching in the anal area. Other causes could be pin worms, hemorrhoids, tear of the anal skin, skin tags (abnormal local growth of anal skin), inability to clean the area properly, resulting in some bits of feces still sticking there.

There are some home remedies that could help you ease the problem, however if it does still exist it is always advisable to visit a doctor even though the situation could be embarrassing. If the cause is due to the diet you follow then avoid spicy food and keep a track of the foods that you eat. In case of medication seek advice from your doctor. Coconut oil or almond oil can be used to apply over the affected area to obtain relief from dryness, or soreness. Try avoiding wiping the area with tissue paper or any rough cloth. Preferable use tiny swabs of cotton wool to wipe the area. Also avoid use of fancy tissue papers like colorful ones and designs on them as this could increase the chemical reaction. Pat a little powder to reduce the scratching. Cleaning should include gentle showering without direct rubbing or irritation of the skin with either the washcloth or towel. Excessive cleaning could do more harm than good. Remember a solution to most of our health problems is drinking a lot of water as this would help flush out the toxins in our body.