Table: Causes and Features of Anal Itching - MSD Manual Consumer Version

Causes and Features of Anal Itching

Cause	Common Features*	Tests
Anal or rectal disorders
Inflammatory bowel disease Overview of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) In inflammatory bowel diseases, the intestine (bowel) becomes inflamed, often causing recurring abdominal pain and diarrhea. The 2 primary types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are Crohn... read more (such as Crohn disease Crohn Disease Crohn disease is an inflammatory bowel disease where chronic inflammation typically involves the lower part of the small intestine, the large intestine, or both and may affect any part of the... read more )	Discharge of pus Pain in the rectum (sometimes) and/or abdomen (often) Sometimes diarrhea	Examination of the lower portion of the large intestine, the rectum, and the anus with an endoscope (sigmoidoscopy) or of the entire large intestine (colonoscopy)
Hemorrhoids Hemorrhoids Hemorrhoids are dilated, twisted blood vessels located in the wall of the lower rectum and anus. The swollen vessels are caused by an increase in pressure. Lumps form inside or outside of the... read more (internal or external)	With internal hemorrhoids, bleeding (a small amount of blood on toilet paper or in the toilet bowl) With external hemorrhoids, a painful, swollen lump on the anus	A doctor's examination Usually examination of the rectum with an endoscope (anoscopy) or sigmoidoscopy
Infections
Bacterial infection Cellulitis Cellulitis is a spreading bacterial infection of the skin and the tissues immediately beneath the skin. This infection is most often caused by streptococci or staphylococci. Redness, pain, and... read more (caused by scratching)	Inflamed, red area, sometimes visible scratches	A doctor's examination
Yeast infection Candidiasis (Yeast Infection) Candidiasis is infection with the yeast Candida. Candidiasis tends to occur in moist areas of the skin. This skin infection may cause rashes, scaling, itching, and swelling. Doctors examine... read more (Candida)	A rash around the anus	A doctor's examination Sometimes examination of a sample of skin scrapings under a microscope (to identify the fungus)
Pinworms Pinworm Infection Pinworm infection is caused by the intestinal roundworm Enterobius vermicularis and usually affects children, but adult members of their households and caregivers, institutionalized people... read more	Usually in children Sometimes present in several family members	Microscopic examination of transparent tape that was applied to the anal area to check for pinworm eggs
Scabies Scabies Infestation Scabies is a parasitic skin infestation caused by mites. Scabies usually spreads from person to person through physical contact. People with scabies have severe itching, even though there are... read more	Intense itching, usually worse at night Possibly itching of other body areas Possibly pink, thin, slightly raised lines or bumps (burrows) on the affected areas	A doctor’s examination Examination of skin scrapings
Skin disorders
Atopic dermatitis Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema) Atopic dermatitis (commonly referred to as eczema) is chronic, itchy inflammation of the upper layers of the skin that often develops in people who have hay fever or asthma and in people who... read more	An itchy, red, oozing, and crusty rash	A doctor’s examination
Cancer of the skin around the anus (perianal skin)	Scaly or crusty area	Examination of a tissue sample (biopsy)
Psoriasis Psoriasis Psoriasis is a chronic, recurring disease that causes one or more raised, red patches that have silvery scales and a distinct border between the patch and normal skin. A problem with the immune... read more	Sometimes itchy or painful patches on the skin	A doctor's examination
Skin tags Skin Tags Skin tags are soft, small, flesh-colored or slightly darker skin growths that develop mostly on the neck, in the armpits, or in the groin area. (See also Overview of Skin Growths.) Usually,... read more	Small flap of tissue on the anus	A doctor’s examination
Medications
Antibiotics	Current or recent use of an antibiotic	Elimination of the antibiotic to see whether symptoms are relieved
Foods and dietary supplements
Beer, caffeine, chocolate, hot peppers, milk products, nuts, tomato products, citrus fruits, spices, or vitamin C tablets	Symptoms that occur after a substance is ingested	Elimination of the substance from the diet to see whether symptoms are relieved
Hygiene-related problems
Excessive sweating Excessive Sweating People with excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) sweat profusely, and some sweat almost constantly. Excessive sweating usually has no clear cause but is sometimes caused by infections, metabolic... read more	Excessive sweating described by the person, particularly with wearing of tight and/or synthetic clothing	Measures to limit sweating (such as wearing loose cotton underwear and changing underwear frequently) to see whether symptoms are relieved
Overly meticulous or aggressive cleansing of the anal area Poor cleansing	Extreme cleansing practices described by the person	A change in cleansing practices to see whether symptoms are relieved
Skin irritants
Anesthetic preparations, ointments, soaps, and sanitary wipes	Use of a possibly irritating substance described by the person	Avoidance of the substance to see whether symptoms are relieved
* Features include symptoms and the results of the doctor's examination. Features mentioned are typical but not always present.