Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCancerAnal FissuresHemorrhoidsContact DermatitisInfections
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Cancer
Anal Fissures
Hemorrhoids
Contact Dermatitis
Infections
A persistent itchy anus (pruritus ani)is one symptom ofanal cancer. Other signs of anal cancer include bloody stools, abdominal pain, and a lump at the anus or rectum.
However, anal itching is more likely due to a benign or non-life-threatening condition. Some common conditions include hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and contact dermatitis.
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This article discusses the types of conditions, both cancerous and non-cancerous, that can cause anal itching, as well as other symptoms to watch for.
Colon Cancer Symptoms
What Is the Difference Between Anal and Rectal Cancer?
The rectumis the last few inches of the large intestine.Rectal canceraffects the glandular cells of the colon and is known as adenocarcinoma.
Rectal cancer does not cause anal itching. However, squamous anal cancer can spread to the rectum.
Other Signs of Anal Cancer
In addition to anal itching, other signs of anal cancer include:
What Is a Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)?
Anal fissuresare commonly associated with anal or rectal itchiness. These small tears in the thin, moist tissues (mucosa) of the anus are rarely life-threatening and often occur as a result of severeconstipation,chronic diarrhea, or anal sex.
Symptoms of anal fissures include:
Anal fissures can also occur as a result ofinflammatory bowel disease (IBD)andsexually transmitted diseases (STDs)likechlamydia,gonorrhea, andsyphilis. Straining during childbirth can also cause anal fissures.
Anal Fissure Self-Care and Prevention
Hemorrhoidsare one of the most common causes of anal itching. Hemorrhoids, also known as piles, are enlarged, swollen veins that form on the inside and outside the rectum or anus.
Signs and symptoms of hemorrhoids include:
How Hemorrhoids Are Treated
Signs and symptoms of contact dermatitis of the rectum include:
Contact dermatitis typically resolves once the offending substance is removed.
Anal or rectal thrush (candidiasis) is a fungal cause typically associated with a weakened immune system.
The signs and symptoms of these infections can differ, but many cases can be entirely asymptomatic, with the exception of itching or discomfort. Persistent, severe, or worsening anal itching should always warrant a visit to your healthcare provider.
What Is an Anal STD Test?
A Word From Verywell
Why Hemorrhoids Itch and How to Stop It Fast
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Cancer Institute.Anal cancer treatment (PDQ) — patient version.Recio-Boiles A, Kashyap S, Tsoris A, Babiker HM.Rectal cancer. In:StatPearls [Internet].Cleveland Clinic.Anal fissures.Cleveland Clinic.Hemorrhoids.Serban ED.Perianal infectious dermatitis: an underdiagnosed, unremitting and stubborn condition.World J Clin Pediatr. 2018 Oct 25;7(4):89-104. doi:10.5409/wjcp.v7.i4.89McCleskey PE.Anogenital dermatitis in men who have sex with men.Dermatol Clin. 2020 Apr;38(2):227-32. doi:10.1016/j.det.2019.10.007Assi R, Hashim PW, Reddy VB, Einarsdottir H, Longo WE.Sexually transmitted infections of the anus and rectum.World J Gastroenterol.2014 Nov 7;20(41):1526208. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i41.15262Ansari P.Pruritus ani.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2016;29(1):38-42. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1570391
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Cancer Institute.Anal cancer treatment (PDQ) — patient version.Recio-Boiles A, Kashyap S, Tsoris A, Babiker HM.Rectal cancer. In:StatPearls [Internet].Cleveland Clinic.Anal fissures.Cleveland Clinic.Hemorrhoids.Serban ED.Perianal infectious dermatitis: an underdiagnosed, unremitting and stubborn condition.World J Clin Pediatr. 2018 Oct 25;7(4):89-104. doi:10.5409/wjcp.v7.i4.89McCleskey PE.Anogenital dermatitis in men who have sex with men.Dermatol Clin. 2020 Apr;38(2):227-32. doi:10.1016/j.det.2019.10.007Assi R, Hashim PW, Reddy VB, Einarsdottir H, Longo WE.Sexually transmitted infections of the anus and rectum.World J Gastroenterol.2014 Nov 7;20(41):1526208. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i41.15262Ansari P.Pruritus ani.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2016;29(1):38-42. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1570391
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Cancer Institute.Anal cancer treatment (PDQ) — patient version.Recio-Boiles A, Kashyap S, Tsoris A, Babiker HM.Rectal cancer. In:StatPearls [Internet].Cleveland Clinic.Anal fissures.Cleveland Clinic.Hemorrhoids.Serban ED.Perianal infectious dermatitis: an underdiagnosed, unremitting and stubborn condition.World J Clin Pediatr. 2018 Oct 25;7(4):89-104. doi:10.5409/wjcp.v7.i4.89McCleskey PE.Anogenital dermatitis in men who have sex with men.Dermatol Clin. 2020 Apr;38(2):227-32. doi:10.1016/j.det.2019.10.007Assi R, Hashim PW, Reddy VB, Einarsdottir H, Longo WE.Sexually transmitted infections of the anus and rectum.World J Gastroenterol.2014 Nov 7;20(41):1526208. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i41.15262Ansari P.Pruritus ani.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2016;29(1):38-42. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1570391
National Cancer Institute.Anal cancer treatment (PDQ) — patient version.
Recio-Boiles A, Kashyap S, Tsoris A, Babiker HM.Rectal cancer. In:StatPearls [Internet].
Cleveland Clinic.Anal fissures.
Cleveland Clinic.Hemorrhoids.
Serban ED.Perianal infectious dermatitis: an underdiagnosed, unremitting and stubborn condition.World J Clin Pediatr. 2018 Oct 25;7(4):89-104. doi:10.5409/wjcp.v7.i4.89
McCleskey PE.Anogenital dermatitis in men who have sex with men.Dermatol Clin. 2020 Apr;38(2):227-32. doi:10.1016/j.det.2019.10.007
Assi R, Hashim PW, Reddy VB, Einarsdottir H, Longo WE.Sexually transmitted infections of the anus and rectum.World J Gastroenterol.2014 Nov 7;20(41):1526208. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i41.15262
Ansari P.Pruritus ani.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2016;29(1):38-42. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1570391
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