Perineal/Anal Irritation, burning, itching, mostly after a bowel movement...

I have experienced much of the same, as I see posted here, and in search of a solution (or the best workarounds) I thought I might as well throw in my two cents.

I'm come to the conclusion (or "realization") that my diet needs an overhaul, I don't drink enough water, and that I sooo need to exercise again (I used to study karate).

I also suspect, as a result, that my pelvic floor is part of my problem...which is probably due to chronic constipation (brought on by the above, as well as stress no doubt).

There's the chance I have an infection of sorts. There's the chance I have an allergy/sensitivity to a food(s). There's the chance that I'm missing something altogether.

What I do know to be true is what I started with above (diet/water, etc.) and that I need to work on these points. AND that the following have been helpful to me in the interim:

- HEAT: I tried using a heat pad (this being a bag of sorts that you warm in the microwave), which in some instances feels really good!! Other times, it seems to increase the discomfort (I image that it promotes inflammation to some degree), so I switch to...

- ICE: More recently I've had better luck with an ice pack, especially when I sleep. Wrap the pack in a thin fabric to prevent yourself from being "burned" and use your thighs to hold it in place.

- SOAK: I've also had success with warm water (cold would do you better, but I can't bring myself to use it) and Epsom Salt and/or Baking Soda. The salt will sting, but not for long, and will help heal any tears/cuts in either region. The Baking Soda is soothing and can certainly be mixed with the salt as a buffer. BONUS: If you suspect/find an infection, consider adding some pure tea tree oil (I found the smell to be relaxing, where I'm otherwise freaking out).

- POLYESTER: Cotton absorbs moisture, but does not with it! I've since switched to polyester drawers and they have made a world of difference for me! I've read otherwise, time and again, and it just ain't so (for me).

- YOGURT: To help with my constipation/digestion, I started slamming the yogurt with some high quality FOS thrown in. 70% or more of your immune system in in your gut and if you've used antibiotics at any time, your insides have got to be hurting. This certainly hasn't helped the itching-burning feeling, but it has to be a step in the right direction.

I am now looking into performing Kegel exercises, as well as those from Qigong, Yoga, etc., to cross out the possibility of having a weak pelvic floor. It can't hurt! Has anyone had success here?

"And another thing..."

An adjustable shower head on a "leash" is like heaven! If you don't have one, get one. I found different adjustments to be very relaxing/soothing (take care if you have tears/cuts down below -- this'll probably sting a bit).

With my last job, I traveled quite a bit, and most of the hotels I stayed in had fixed shower heads -- that really didn't help!!! (There's no place like home...)

Couple more points of interest (in my case), as I'm thinking of it...

Constipation leads to 'roids,' but I can tolerate & address this much better/easier than I can the itching-burning of the perineum.

Pay attention to the other points posted here, as they are valid and may help you (long-term/short-term).

You may also find the book OPTIMAL DIGESTIVE HEALTH helpful. I found it at my local library and have learned a lot by reading it.

There doesn't seem to be one fix for this (as most doctors seem to think there is), so if you're avoiding the Rx approach, go at your issue(s) from multiple directions.

I've seen 7 doctors (3 of whom were "specialists" in one area or another), hence the screen-name, and each of them had me use at least one Rx. I'm certain they've done me more harm than good, and only after keeping at it myself have I found any relief.

I hope all of this helps! And I'll stop here again to see if anyone has found the "cure" we all desperately seek. Best wishes~

I am a 34 year old male and I have had the same problems with the itching burning chapping etc. I read a post a while ago that a older gentlemen wrote saying that he would use a piece of cotton when it flared up along with PH and that seemed to work for him. I tried the cotton and low and behold it has been the only thing to work thus far. I think it works because the cotton allows you to stay dry and by it staying dry it can heal. It also takes the pain away so you can make it through the day. Until the doctors come up with a way to cure this, its the next best thing. Hope this helps

many seem to get off track from the original post. We are talking about the perineum, the space between the anus and testicals or vagina.

on men it is a sensitive spot and a line goes between both spots.

How many of you are drinking water from reverse osmosis? (just out of curiosity) or bottled water.

I am not sure hemorrhoids have anything to do with it, but I did have hemorrhoid surgery in 99 and do have a fisher.


So one thing to help solve this mystery (and I am going to try many of the things said as well as the orange peel and oats).


So lets find out if we all have something in common, most importantly where did this c**p come from. My wife also has a weird symptom and had for years, I have just started this with me.

Her issue is acne related from what the doc said. she even had surgery and that fixed it for a while and now it is back. hers is located in her pubic area and is different from mine, hers is a large cyst.

We both drink filtered water. (I am hearing reverse osmosis is bad for you)
I drink twice a week. wed and Saturday night.
I do have symptoms of rumatoid.
I do sit behind a pc all day.
lots of heart burn, acid reflux.

I will be going to my dermatologist this week, however if I can't find the answer on here or the net, I doubt he will have one.
I have tried perscription hydrocortozon and it helps as long as I apply it , just does not heal it.
It has worked the best as one litte drop will do it. I will now try the ibuprofen.
has anyone tried camphonique?

I have the same problem - itchy ass, what feels/looks like cuts (fissures) but worst of all there is slight leakage during the day. It also itches bad after a sh*t and when going to sleep. its almost impossible not to scratch. I have come to the conclusion that this is Pruritis Ani.

I havent yet seen a doc but the following helps. Try to shower after every sh*t, i.e. train yourself to sh*t twice a day (morning and evening) when at home so you can take a shower. Eat less spicy food. Beer is bad.

I used to use baby powder, but when the area is raw this makes it about 100 times worse. What helps the most is place 2 squares of TP on each other to make a square. Fold once and fold again in the same direction. Should have a rectangle. Stuff this rectangle between the cheeks. This does 2 things, absorbs leakage and prevents chaffing. Immediately after this application, it may burn and/or itch, just bear it for a few minutes and it'll be over.

Try not to get caught with TP slipping out your ass and down your pants. cotton gauze also works well, but when it is very raw TP is better.

I think the best long term solution will be surgery to "patch" the fissures with a graft or open the skin and stretch over the damaged area??? would like to discuss with a doctor

Thank you all for these posts, its making me feel more normal already. I could completely relate to MOST of the symptoms described here. Someone's mention of Anal Fissures made me look up some other things that some of you might find useful.

I'm a bit freaked out but beginning to lean towards Crohn's or Ulcerative Colitis, but I'm refraining from diagnosing myself until I get all the necessary tests. Good luck figuring this all out people!

Hi Everyone!

I have been suffering the burning, itching symptoms for years and have tried every cream possible (pile creams, thrush creams, savlon, sudocreme, hydro cortisone, Ibuprofen gel), but nothing has really relieved the symptoms. I had really bad reactions to Ibuprofen gel and Anusol, which made it 10 times worse!!

A quick fix that I have found is:
Put 2 sheets of toilet paper together and then fold in half 3 times, so you should have a rectangle about 2cm x 6cm. Soak it with very cold water and then squeeze it out a tiny bit so it's not too soaked. Then shove it in between your cheeks as far as it can go. You will probably get some excess water around your bum, so dry that off and then put on your underwear. It might feel a bit uncomfortable at first, but you soon forget it's there.

Hope some other people get some relief using this method!!

I went to a local allergist md in Baltimore for my more pressing problem of asthma and mentioned the intermittent rectal itching that I have been experiencing since the age of 5 (I am 48 now). He looked at the area and immediately diagnosed it as fungal. He gave me a script for Loprox, which I apply once at night and viola, no more itching. Can't believe it took so long to get diagnosed and that so many doctors missed it. Probably no the cause of all anal itching, but it was mine. Best of luck to everyone and I hope this helps someone else.

Have you ever heard of lichen scleroses?

Which is one more possibility to add to the mystery of why this perianal itching will not go away. I was so desperate for relief I applied Selsun Blue to my perianal area (avoiding the labia).
This lichen sclerosis rx suggest a strong cortizone creme, the 1% otc doesn't touch it. I have experienced persistent itching alongside the vaginal area, almost to the crease of my inner thighs. Itching sometimes w/a BM and this summer, it flared up in my armpit area, sides of my scalp. I don't have flaking just itching. Thought I had pin worms, tested negative. Looked for yeast in stool, negative (I'm a med. tech)
Im ready to try scalpicin - everywhere. I'm worried I'm going to forget I'm in public and scratch with abandon. Salicylic Acid - my next course of rx, found in many topicals.

Hi guys... same here,

I just wandered upon this amazingly lengthy yet disappointing thread as I was indulging myself in a gratifyingly ravenous scratch. (tmi yet? well you are here too) I've been dealing with this for around 5 years and have at some point conceded defeat to my body.

A cure u seek? Sorry, there aren't any. We've got "perennial AIDS"... and until elton john & u2 step up with some benefit concerts, our doctors won't receive the precious funding required to search for a cure to this real, enduring plight on humanity.

The previous poster who suggested lidocaine is spot on with the best treatment plan. But for those of you not willing to go to the doctor for whatever reason, let me recommend my "miracle drug"- Nupercainal.(and yes i have tried evvverything else). This works best, it numbs the pain and kills the itch almost instantly. I get it at CVS(only one of the big 3 pharmas that carry it), or in bulk on amazon. Get use to applying it all the time... post-bm, shower, before bed, after sweating too much, etc... Having your hand down there doing the applying takes some getting use to, but its a far better life to lead then the alternative.

Again, Nupercainal... near the preparation H's and other sh*t that doesn't work.

Best of luck,

-BL

The persistent itching, burning, some have said "cracks in skin" could all be symptoms of a Strep A infection. This is easily treated with Penicillin or Amoxicillin. This infection is rather common, recurrent and does not respond to anti-fungal remedies.

Best of luck!

I'm two years into this.
The nitro paste works great for anal fissures. It relaxes the muscles that you are clenching because of all that pain. But it doesn't help with the itch.
Do NOT use the "tucks" or similar witch hazel wipes.
They caused my fissure. They contain witch hazel, which eventually will dry everything out and cause more itching.
WATCH THE FIBER! I followed the "high fiber" recommendation - stools were so large they were even more painful.
FISH OIL. FISH OIL. FISH OIL instead of stool softeners.
The fish oil has the same result and also has nutritional value.
I've tried everything to get rid of the itch, neopsporin prophylactically helps to avoid the itch.
Keep it as dry as possible.

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Perineal/Anal Irritation, burning, itching, mostly after a bowel movement - Part 2