Anal itching - very embarrassing problem!

My friend had a similar itching problem that occurred mainly at night but it was so bad it kept him awake!  He changed his diet and that helped ease some of the problems and eventually found a spray for anal itching by Fire in the Hole.  Your husband should not be ashamed of the problem I think it's very common,

OMG! :O Reading all of these posts on anal itching is awesome!  Not the anal itch part, but the fact that I am not alone!! It is very embarrassing, especially being a woman. :$  It has been on my mind for a bit to start taking Claritin to see if it works. (I)  After reading tonite, I have to go to CVS tomoro and get it!! The itch is driving me insane! xp  But at the same time it feels so damn good to scratch! :-| Can anyone relate to that?  I feel totally nasty saying it feels good to scratch my anus, but hey, it's true.  I will also make an appointment with a proctologist so a professional in the butt area can check me out. ;-) Once again, I am truley grateful to all the people who have commented on this issue.  I got some good laughs but most importantly don't feel so disgusting now.  Thanks! XD

I had anal itching (pruritus ani as the doctors call it) for over 7 years.  I've been to 5 different doctors and had 2 surgeries trying to get rid of the itching.  Worst case of pruritus ani that they had ever seen.  The steroid creams they prescribe work for a week but you can't take them any longer than that.  The purple injections work for a while too but nothing gave me long term relief.  I tried antihistamines including Benadryl and Clariton for months at a time.  I tried all the crazy diets.  I tried every cream and ointment on the store shelves and across the internet.  Until a few months ago I found a product called Pranicure ointment.  It's specially made to treat severe cases of pruritus ani.  With one application a day usually after a bowel movement I am now cured.  No more itching, I eat whatever I want and I sleep like a baby again.  Just put Pranicure into your search bar and it will come up.  If you haven't been to a doctor about anal itching, they just hand you a brochure with a bunch of stuff that might help....and they tell you straight up that in MOST cases, a cause is NEVER found.  You just live with it and deal with this little annoying problem...which in my case was almost debilitating because I couldn't sleep for years.  Anyway...I was looking for help on a totally different problem and came across this and thought I could help a few of you.

I've had a problem for 10+ years and finally found relief.  I am convinced it is often a fungal issue.

For short term relief, I found AMAZING results from peppermint essential oil.  Peppermint is a natural anti fungal and I find it has a powerful numbing effect that eliminates the itch for an extended period of time. I use two drops before bed at night, and finally I can sleep through the night without any itch!  Don't use more than 2 drops, this stuff is strongly concentrated and powerful!! Dr's will only prescribe cortisone (because that's where the money is, and they are trained to use pharma products).  A holistic option like peppermint oil is far safer for long term use than applying a chemical to such a sensitive region like your anus / colon!  I like Young Living's oils the best.

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To fix the root cause, I truly believe for many the underlying issue could be candida overgrowth, a natural fungas which often gets out of control in Western diet.  It is notorious for causing rashes, itches, and eczema-like symptoms.  I suggest reading up on the candida diet, and also try a GOOD probiotic (I like garden of life brand) works wonders on the digestive system and helps fight candida and strengthen overall immune system. Also keeps things regular / prevents hard stools.  Not all brands are the same, find one that works for you!I also agree that good hygiene is important. 

I also found some relief when I started using a bidet (even a cheap hand bidet you can find on amazon.com will help), but it wasn't until I used peppermint oil, candida diet, and pro biotic that eliminated my problem.It's taken me over 10 years, but I've finally found relief.  Don't give up, keep trying different things and attack the problem from all angles!

Hello, anal itching is a common condition. People suffering with this condition has strong urge to scratch. They find itching to be an embarrassment and very uncomfortable. There are various causes for the anal itching such as Pruritus ani, hemorrhoids, fissure, yeast infection, psoriasis etc.

I suggest people with severe anal itching to follow up the specialist to diagnose and know the exact reason for the itching instead of knowing details on web as it could be harmful to the health.

I use to have problems with anal itch but now I am cured. Think god for the Go Bidet I have been using for the last 3 months. Easy to install on any toilet. It gives your bottom a great power wash and cleans you out. All you do after is dry of with a paper towel. No problems fr the last 3 months.

Thank you both for sharing. 

I need help. I am scratching my anus while I am asleep, and it is waking up my wife and disturbing our sleep. It is gross. It is disturbing. It has forced us to sleep in separate beds. This is affecting my marriage, and I have to figure out how to stop it. I have researched possible causes, and the only thing that seems to make sense is that it is psychological in nature. I have had fecal tests run that all came back negative, and it does not seem like it is a hygiene issue. So, what am I to do about psychological anal scratching, or "psychogenic pruritis", as it is called? I have read that possible solutions include acupuncture, hypnosis, and anxiety medications. I would prefer to stay away from meds, and I am completely new to (and a bit apprehensive of) acupuncture and hypnosis. Still, if either or both can help me stop this and heal my marriage, I am willing to try. If you have had any of these experiences, and particularly if you have found something that worked, please let me know. Also, if you happen to know of any free or low cost acupuncture and/or hypnosis available in the Raleigh, NC area, that would also be extremely helpful, as my wife and I are both currently unemployed. Thank you!

Pranicure, I ordered it and got it today and so far so good!  Expensive shipping to Canada but well worth the relief.  Finally will be able to have a full night of sleep.

I have had 2 surgeries and it came back both times . I have suffered with this for 10 years or more . I tried every cream without any help. I finally tried a cortisone cream over the counter called cortef. . I used this for 3 days and my itchy lumps are gone. good luck

I started taking genaric claritin just as you have several years ago. I tried it just figuring my itching was an alergy. It worked initially, would give relief for a few days at a time. It was wonderful to have a good nights sleep and a non sore bum when you wiped after a BM. But after taking it for years I may have built a tolerance to it or my symptoms were just getting worse because I wasnt touching on the main cause of the problem. Loratadine (for me), as well as panicure ointment were just bandaids, cover the symptoms temporarily. Which at first is great, but if not getting to the root cause, will end up returning, and with a vengence. I found the cause to be an intolerance to histamines. Hence why anti-histamines initially helped. What happens over years, is your intolerance greatens to a point where more work and treatment is needed to rectify the situation. Those in which the anti-histamine works a had a light intolerance to histamine so the medication corrected the imbalance internally. To end this, there is an enzyme that the body produces to control your bodys use and production of histamines. Histamines are produced and stored in the body and have a huge part in your immune system. If this enzyme (DAO) is no longer produced or enough is not produced, then your histamine levels get out of control and your body will show you this. It will start to create an intolerance for the histamine and have adverse effects. There are medications that can be purchased to help aid in the need of DAO for proper histamine balance. As well as a low histamine diet untill the body has repaired and does what it is supposed to properly. Its not untill the root cause is touched on before you get the main source of the problem and get onto being healed and healthy again. I know, in the beginning all I wanted was a bandaid fix, stop the itching for now. Best of luck and health to everyone!

you sir, saved my life! i'm making a crown for you!

So are you still taking them every day, Or can you quit daily intake after awhile.

Cured! Fibers from my cotton underwear caused my anal itching for 10 years. I finally realized this and switched to a polyester/spandex blend and it stopped after 1 day! Hope this helps others.

THANK YOU FOR CLARITIN! I had anal itching for at least 6 years. Varied from minor to terrible. Tried lots of creams, bidet (no TP), changes of TP and laundry detergent. Different underwear. Coconut oil. Tea Tree oil (burns at full strength) Aquaphor. Anti yeast meds (topical and pill) Desonide (worked, but came back. Any steroid would temporary help like cortizone). Taking claritin (Loratadine) worked great for me. My itching is not existent most of the day. Afternoon/evening it shows up, but only about 2-3 out of a scale of 10. Been using it for about 5 days now. Haven't woken in the night yet. I still plan on investigating the cause of the reaction. But at least now I have a little relief I can plan on.

Hello. I had this problem of itching anus and scrotum after applying Depi Roll on these area. Big mistake. My doctor prescribed Nutratopic, desitin , cortiscosteroid. And i am taking clariting by myself. It is getting better. This problem sucks big time, and bring annxiety and sadness.