What are the signs of a pinworm infection. How is pinworm transmitted. Can pinworms cause itching all over the body. What is the most effective treatment for pinworms. How can you prevent pinworm reinfection.

Understanding Pinworms: The Most Common Worm Infection in Australia

Pinworms, scientifically known as Enterobius vermicularis, are the most prevalent worm infection in Australia. These parasites, also referred to as threadworms, primarily affect children but can easily spread to other household members. Despite their unsavory reputation, pinworm infections are relatively harmless and can be treated effectively.

Are pinworms exclusive to children? While children are more susceptible due to their tendency to put fingers in their mouths, adults are not immune. Once a child becomes infected, the entire household is at risk unless strict hygiene practices are implemented. It’s important to note that infection can occur regardless of a child’s home hygiene standards.

The Life Cycle of Pinworms

Understanding the pinworm life cycle is crucial for effective prevention and treatment. How do pinworms infect humans? The infection begins when pinworm eggs are ingested, typically through contaminated hands, food, bedding, or other objects. These eggs then travel to the gut, where they hatch and mature.

• Adult pinworms are yellowish-white, slender, and approximately one centimeter long.
• After about 4 weeks, female pinworms move down the gut and exit through the anus to lay eggs on the surrounding skin, often at night.
• The female pinworm dies after laying eggs, completing her reproductive cycle.
• Eggs can survive on surfaces for up to 2 weeks under suitable conditions.

Can household pets transmit pinworms? Contrary to common belief, household pets cannot be infected with pinworms or pass them on to humans. The transmission is strictly human-to-human.

Recognizing Pinworm Infection Symptoms

While pinworm infections often produce no symptoms, some individuals may experience various signs. What are the common symptoms of a pinworm infection?

• Intense itching around the anus, especially at night
• Reduced appetite
• Mild general discomfort
• Inflammation of the vagina in females
• Visible adult worms in feces
• Eggs visible on the skin around the anus
• Irritability and behavioral changes

Is itching limited to the anal area? While the primary symptom is an itchy bottom, particularly at night, pinworms do not typically cause itching all over the body. If you’re experiencing widespread itching, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional as this may indicate a different condition.

Diagnosing Pinworm Infections: The Tape Test

How do doctors confirm a pinworm infection? The most common diagnostic method is the tape test. This simple procedure involves collecting eggs from around the anus using sticky tape first thing in the morning. The tape is then examined under a microscope to confirm the presence of pinworm eggs.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Should you consult a doctor for every suspected pinworm infection? While over-the-counter treatments are available, it’s advisable to seek medical attention if:

• Symptoms persist after initial treatment
• You’re unsure if pinworms are the cause of your symptoms
• You have concerns about using over-the-counter medications
• You’re pregnant or breastfeeding
• The infected person is under two years old

Effective Treatment Strategies for Pinworm Infections

What is the most effective treatment for pinworm infections? Treatment typically involves antiparasitic medications, which are available both over-the-counter and by prescription. The most common medications include:

• Mebendazole
• Albendazole
• Pyrantel pamoate

These medications work by either killing the adult worms or preventing them from absorbing nutrients, leading to their demise. Is a single dose sufficient? In many cases, a single dose is effective. However, a second dose is often recommended two weeks after the initial treatment to eliminate any newly hatched worms.

Treating the Entire Household

Why is it crucial to treat all household members? Because pinworms spread easily within close-contact environments, it’s recommended that all household members be treated simultaneously, even if they’re not showing symptoms. This approach helps prevent immediate reinfection.

Preventing Pinworm Reinfection: Essential Hygiene Practices

How can you prevent pinworm reinfection after treatment? Implementing strict hygiene practices is key to preventing reinfection and breaking the cycle of pinworm transmission. Here are some essential steps:

1. Thorough hand washing: All family members should wash their hands and nails with soap and water, especially after using the toilet, changing diapers, and before preparing or eating food.
2. Discourage scratching and nail biting: This helps prevent the transfer of eggs from the anal area to the mouth.
3. Keep fingernails short: This reduces the area under nails where eggs can hide.
4. Daily bathing or showering: This helps remove any eggs from the skin.
5. Wash bedding and clothing: Use hot water to wash all sheets, bed linen, pajamas, and sleepwear to kill pinworm eggs.
6. Clean toilet seats and potties: Regularly disinfect these areas to eliminate any eggs.

Is it necessary to fumigate or deep clean the entire house? While thorough cleaning is important, fumigation is not necessary. Pinworm eggs cannot survive long in the environment and are primarily spread through direct contact or recently contaminated surfaces.

The Impact of Pinworms on Children’s Health and Behavior

How do pinworm infections affect children beyond physical symptoms? While pinworms are generally harmless, they can have indirect effects on a child’s overall well-being:

• Sleep disturbances due to nighttime itching
• Irritability and mood changes from discomfort and lack of sleep
• Potential impact on concentration and school performance
• Anxiety or embarrassment about the infection

Can pinworm infections lead to more serious health issues? In rare cases, severe infections may cause complications such as weight loss or urinary tract infections. However, these instances are uncommon with prompt treatment and proper hygiene practices.

Pinworms and Public Health: Addressing Common Concerns

Are pinworm infections a sign of poor hygiene? It’s a common misconception that pinworm infections only occur in unsanitary conditions. In reality, these parasites can affect anyone, regardless of hygiene standards. Schools, daycare centers, and other places where children congregate are common transmission points.

Pinworms in Schools and Daycare Centers

How should educational institutions handle pinworm outbreaks? When pinworm infections are detected in schools or daycare centers, the following measures are typically recommended:

• Notify parents and staff about the outbreak
• Encourage affected individuals to seek treatment
• Implement enhanced cleaning procedures for shared spaces and surfaces
• Reinforce good hygiene practices among children and staff
• Consider temporary exclusion of infected individuals until treatment has begun

Is it necessary to close schools or daycare centers during a pinworm outbreak? Generally, closure is not required. With proper hygiene measures and treatment of affected individuals, the spread of pinworms can be effectively controlled without disrupting educational activities.

Pinworms and Pregnancy: Special Considerations

Are pinworm infections dangerous during pregnancy? While pinworm infections are not typically harmful to the fetus, pregnant women should consult their healthcare provider before using any anti-pinworm medications. Some treatments may not be recommended during certain stages of pregnancy.

Safe Treatment Options for Pregnant Women

What are the safest ways to treat pinworms during pregnancy? Healthcare providers may recommend the following approaches:

• Rigorous hygiene practices to prevent reinfection
• Manual removal of worms when visible
• Use of pyrantel pamoate, which is generally considered safe during pregnancy
• Postponing treatment until after delivery, if the infection is mild and not causing significant discomfort

Can pinworms affect the unborn baby? There is no evidence to suggest that pinworms can directly harm the fetus. However, severe infections could potentially lead to maternal anemia or other complications that might indirectly affect pregnancy outcomes.

Natural Remedies and Alternative Treatments for Pinworms

Are there effective natural remedies for pinworm infections? While medical treatments are the most reliable, some people prefer to try natural remedies. It’s important to note that these methods are not scientifically proven and should not replace medical advice. Some commonly suggested natural approaches include:

• Consuming raw garlic or garlic supplements
• Increasing intake of carrots and pumpkin seeds
• Using coconut oil as a dietary supplement or topical application
• Incorporating probiotics into the diet
• Applying a paste of raw papaya to the affected area

Do these natural remedies work for everyone? The effectiveness of natural remedies can vary greatly between individuals, and there’s limited scientific evidence supporting their use against pinworms. It’s crucial to consult a healthcare provider before relying solely on alternative treatments, especially for severe or persistent infections.

Long-term Health Implications of Recurrent Pinworm Infections

Can frequent pinworm infections have long-lasting health effects? While pinworm infections are generally harmless when treated promptly, recurrent infections may lead to some health concerns:

• Chronic sleep disturbances due to persistent itching
• Potential impact on a child’s growth and development if left untreated
• Rare cases of appendicitis associated with severe, untreated infections
• Psychological effects such as anxiety or social withdrawal

How can you prevent long-term complications from pinworm infections? The key to avoiding any potential long-term effects is prompt treatment and consistent prevention measures. Regular hand washing, maintaining clean living spaces, and periodic deworming (as advised by a healthcare provider) can significantly reduce the risk of recurrent infections.

Psychological Impact of Chronic Pinworm Infections

What are the potential psychological effects of recurring pinworm infections? Children and adults dealing with frequent pinworm infections may experience:

• Embarrassment or shame, especially in social situations
• Anxiety about reinfection or spreading the infection to others
• Frustration with ongoing treatment and prevention measures
• Impact on self-esteem, particularly for children in school settings

How can parents and caregivers address these psychological concerns? Open communication, reassurance, and educating children about the common nature of pinworm infections can help alleviate anxiety and embarrassment. If psychological impacts persist, consulting a mental health professional may be beneficial.

Pinworms – Better Health Channel

Summary

Read the full fact sheet

• Pinworm is the most common worm infection in Australia.
• The major symptom is an itchy bottom, particularly at night.
• Treatment usually includes a single or 2-dose course of medication that should be taken by all members of the affected household.
• If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.

What are pinworms?

The most common type of human worm infection in Australia is pinworm. Other names for this parasite include threadworm and Enterobius vermicularis, or the common term ‘worms’.

Children are more likely to pick up an infection than an adult, probably because of children’s tendency to put their fingers in their mouths. However, once a child is infected, other members of their household are also likely to get pinworms unless strict hygiene practices are observed. Infection can happen to anyone, regardless of a child’s home hygiene.

Despite the unsavoury reputation, a pinworm infection is relatively harmless and can be easily treated.

Worms require a host in order to survive. In the case of pinworms, the human acts as the host.

Life cycle of a pinworm

Infections begin when pinworm eggs are eaten, usually directly through contaminated hands or indirectly through contaminated food, bedding, clothing or other articles. The eggs then travel to the gut where they hatch and mature. A grown pinworm is yellowish white, slender and about one centimetre long.

Around 4 weeks after ingestion, the adult female moves down the gut and exits the body via the anus to lay a batch of eggs on the surrounding skin, often at night. The worm then dies, her reproductive mission complete.

The eggs may cause intense itching, especially at night, so children can easily reinfect themselves by scratching the anus and scraping eggs under their fingernails. These eggs can then be transferred to the mouth and the whole life cycle of the pinworm starts again.

The eggs can survive on surfaces or objects (such as furniture, kitchen surfaces and toothbrushes) for up to 2 weeks in the right conditions and can infect other people if transferred to the mouth or food.

Household pets cannot be infected with pinworms or pass them on to humans.

Symptoms of pinworm

Pinworm infections often produce no symptoms but, when they occur, symptoms can include:

• itchy bottom, especially at night
• reduced appetite
• feeling mildly unwell
• inflammation of the vagina
• adult worms can sometimes be seen in the faeces, and eggs may be seen clinging to the skin around the anus
• irritability and behavioural changes.

Treatment for pinworm infection

Your doctor might want to perform a test to make sure the problem is a pinworm infection. This is done by collecting the eggs from around the anus using sticky tape first thing in the morning.

Medication is available to kill the worms and this is usually prescribed for the person who is infected and all other members of the household. One dose may be followed up with a second dose 2 weeks later to take care of any surviving worms.

Although the medication is safe for humans, you should consult your doctor or chemist before commencing treatment.

Preventing another pinworm infection

Suggestions to prevent another infection during treatment include:

• All family members should wash their hands and nails thoroughly with soap and water, particularly after going to the toilet, after changing nappies, before preparing food and before eating food.
• Discourage scratching of the bottom and nail biting.
• Keep fingernails short.
• Daily bathing and showering.
• Wash all sheets, bed linen, pyjamas and sleepwear in hot water to kill any pinworm eggs.
• Clean toilet seats and potties regularly with disinfectant (remember to store the disinfectant out of reach of children).
• All family members should take the medication, regardless of whether they are experiencing symptoms.

Where to get help

• Your GP (doctor)
• Pharmacist
• NURSE-ON-CALL Tel. 1300 606 024 – for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days)
• Maternal and Child Health Line Tel. 13 22 29 (24 hours, 7 days)

• WormsExternal Link, The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne.
• Pinworm infectionExternal Link, Department of Health, Victorian Government.
• WormsExternal Link, Women’s and Children’s Health Network, South Australian Government.

This page has been produced in consultation with and approved
by:

Department of Health – Public Health – Communicable Disease Prevention and Control

Pinworms – Better Health Channel

Summary

Read the full fact sheet

• Pinworm is the most common worm infection in Australia.
• The major symptom is an itchy bottom, particularly at night.
• Treatment usually includes a single or 2-dose course of medication that should be taken by all members of the affected household.
• If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.

What are pinworms?

The most common type of human worm infection in Australia is pinworm. Other names for this parasite include threadworm and Enterobius vermicularis, or the common term ‘worms’.

Children are more likely to pick up an infection than an adult, probably because of children’s tendency to put their fingers in their mouths. However, once a child is infected, other members of their household are also likely to get pinworms unless strict hygiene practices are observed. Infection can happen to anyone, regardless of a child’s home hygiene.

Despite the unsavoury reputation, a pinworm infection is relatively harmless and can be easily treated.

Worms require a host in order to survive. In the case of pinworms, the human acts as the host.

Life cycle of a pinworm

Infections begin when pinworm eggs are eaten, usually directly through contaminated hands or indirectly through contaminated food, bedding, clothing or other articles. The eggs then travel to the gut where they hatch and mature. A grown pinworm is yellowish white, slender and about one centimetre long.

Around 4 weeks after ingestion, the adult female moves down the gut and exits the body via the anus to lay a batch of eggs on the surrounding skin, often at night. The worm then dies, her reproductive mission complete.

The eggs may cause intense itching, especially at night, so children can easily reinfect themselves by scratching the anus and scraping eggs under their fingernails. These eggs can then be transferred to the mouth and the whole life cycle of the pinworm starts again.

The eggs can survive on surfaces or objects (such as furniture, kitchen surfaces and toothbrushes) for up to 2 weeks in the right conditions and can infect other people if transferred to the mouth or food.

Household pets cannot be infected with pinworms or pass them on to humans.

Symptoms of pinworm

Pinworm infections often produce no symptoms but, when they occur, symptoms can include:

• itchy bottom, especially at night
• reduced appetite
• feeling mildly unwell
• inflammation of the vagina
• adult worms can sometimes be seen in the faeces, and eggs may be seen clinging to the skin around the anus
• irritability and behavioural changes.

Treatment for pinworm infection

Your doctor might want to perform a test to make sure the problem is a pinworm infection. This is done by collecting the eggs from around the anus using sticky tape first thing in the morning.

Medication is available to kill the worms and this is usually prescribed for the person who is infected and all other members of the household. One dose may be followed up with a second dose 2 weeks later to take care of any surviving worms.

Although the medication is safe for humans, you should consult your doctor or chemist before commencing treatment.

Preventing another pinworm infection

Suggestions to prevent another infection during treatment include:

• All family members should wash their hands and nails thoroughly with soap and water, particularly after going to the toilet, after changing nappies, before preparing food and before eating food.
• Discourage scratching of the bottom and nail biting.
• Keep fingernails short.
• Daily bathing and showering.
• Wash all sheets, bed linen, pyjamas and sleepwear in hot water to kill any pinworm eggs.
• Clean toilet seats and potties regularly with disinfectant (remember to store the disinfectant out of reach of children).
• All family members should take the medication, regardless of whether they are experiencing symptoms.

Where to get help

• Your GP (doctor)
• Pharmacist
• NURSE-ON-CALL Tel. 1300 606 024 – for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days)
• Maternal and Child Health Line Tel. 13 22 29 (24 hours, 7 days)

• WormsExternal Link, The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne.
• Pinworm infectionExternal Link, Department of Health, Victorian Government.
• WormsExternal Link, Women’s and Children’s Health Network, South Australian Government.

This page has been produced in consultation with and approved
by:

Department of Health – Public Health – Communicable Disease Prevention and Control

Scratch my back, please | Be Healthy

It is unlikely that anyone needs to explain what itching is – many of us are familiar with this unpleasant phenomenon firsthand. And now it’s time to find out where it comes from

Hardly anyone needs to explain what itching is – many of us are familiar with this unpleasant phenomenon firsthand. However, medical scientists (such is their job) came up with a definition: itching is a sensation in the skin that causes a desire to itch. This is true.

This “gift” of nature forced animals, and our ancestors, to bite and comb out skin parasites. Now, of course, we know more effective and aesthetic ways to deal with them, but the itch has not gone away, and can cause a lot of anxiety. Long existing, it can cause irritability, insomnia and even mental disorders.

And since everyone knows what itching is, it’s time to find out what causes it.

Uninvited guests

Let’s say the skin itches not all, but in places. If this happened in the summer, especially in nature, where the air rings with mosquitoes, you are unlikely to think about the cause of the itch (especially when you see the characteristic marks on the skin). The meeting with the taiga midge will lead to the same consequences.

Some “comrades” from the arthropod type prefer not to bother themselves with constant hunting, but simply settle on the source of food – that is, the human body. For example, the well-known lice. Head lice, as the name implies, live on the scalp; pubic, respectively, – in the hair of the pubis and perineum; clothes “colonize” underwear and clothes.

Even more unpleasant is the scabies itch – a microscopic mite, the females of which gnaw holes in the skin in which they lay their eggs. This process is accompanied by a painful itch, which is why it is called scabies. You can recognize the presence of the parasite by the traces of “bites” (usually located in pairs) and pink thread-like “moves”.

Bathing in polluted waters is fraught with the so-called bather’s itch (cercariasis). It is caused by the larvae of some helminths (worms) – cercariae. In order to develop into a more aggressive form capable of infecting animals or humans, they need to gain strength in the body of aquatic mollusks. If instead of a mollusk they come across human skin, they will try to infiltrate it. Of course, cercariae cannot live in the human body, but rashes on the skin that have been in water and discomfort are guaranteed.

Another large group of parasites that cause itching are skin fungi. Depending on their type, the affected area can be nails, palms and feet, perineum, torso and scalp. The skin in these areas is flaky, its color may change, and itching varies from very mild to very intense.

Itchy? You are the one to blame!

One of the most common causes of itching is dry skin (xerosis). This condition is associated with disruption of the sweat and sebaceous glands, often appears in the elderly and senile age, aggravated after bathing (when soap and washcloth, along with dirt, remove the remnants of the already meager sebum) and in the cold season, accompanied by dryness and flaking of the skin . Dry skin accompanies many hypovitaminosis (deficiency of vitamins A, C, group B).

If, on the contrary, there is a lot of sweat, which is often observed when being in hot and humid tropical air, itching appears due to prickly heat (tropical lichen). It occurs when the sweat glands are blocked by particles of exfoliated skin, and manifests itself as itchy, inflamed vesicles on the shoulders, back, neck, armpits and groin.

The hand involuntarily reaches out to scratch rashes in such acute and chronic skin diseases as eczema, psoriasis, pink lichen, as well as urticaria and other manifestations of skin allergies, contact dermatitis when exposed to irritating substances. Itching also occurs with sunburn, photodermatitis – when the components of cosmetics, drugs, nutritional supplements, under the action of sunlight, form products that cause pigmentation and skin irritation.

When the cause is deeper

The cause of itchy skin can be hidden not only in the skin itself. Some internal diseases cause prolonged itching, and not accompanied by rashes on the skin. Due to metabolic disorders in the body in general and in the skin in particular, itching occurs in endocrine disorders such as diabetes and thyroid disease.

Jaundice in diseases of the liver or obstruction of the outflow of bile is also accompanied by itching. It is caused by bile acids, which are carried in the blood to the skin and irritate it, while the bile pigment bilirubin turns the skin yellow.

The skin can also itch in many blood diseases, benign and malignant: iron deficiency anemia, polycythemia, lymphoma, etc. Systemic autoimmune diseases and malignant tumors can also cause itching. Itching is possible at the site of rashes with childhood infections: measles, rubella and chickenpox.

Not to see it yourself, not to show it to others

It happens that itching also appears in intimate places. Sometimes it indicates a sexually transmitted disease.

Vaginal itching can be caused by thrush, gardnerellosis and other disorders of the vaginal microflora.

Anal itching appears with hemorrhoids, fistulas, anal fissures, helminthic invasions, insufficient or excessive hygiene. Sometimes its cause cannot be identified.

And more

Skin itching often appears with stress, excitement, increased excitability, anxiety. Stress, in addition, contributes to the intensification of itching that has arisen for other reasons.

With some mental disorders and with the abuse of psychostimulants, there may be a feeling of insects crawling under the skin. In this case, the patient is covered with scratches, and sometimes seriously injures himself, trying to extract non-existent parasites with a needle, tweezers or a scalpel.

Sometimes itching occurs during pregnancy, especially in the second half. It may be due to liver overload or for some other reason. In any case, it is better to discuss this issue with an obstetrician-gynecologist.

Finally, itching can be a side effect of certain medications, such as opioid analgesics or barbiturates. In addition, any medicine can cause an allergy, accompanied by itchy skin.

Will in a fist – and do not scratch!

As follows from the very definition of itching, it causes a strong desire to scratch the itchy area, and the harder the better. But this is just not possible to do. Firstly, it is possible to injure the skin and introduce pyogenic microbes into it, which can result in prolonged antibiotic treatment and the appearance of unaesthetic scars on the skin. And secondly, most often after scratching, the itching appears again, and even more intense – a vicious circle is formed, which, apart from torn skin, does not shine with anything good.

So what to do?

The most affordable and very effective first aid for most types of itching is cold (as mentioned above, it should not be used for xerosis). Temporary relief will be brought by a stream of cold water, a cloth moistened with water, or an ice pack to the place that itches. Warm water should not be used – it provokes an even greater production of substances in the skin that are responsible for the feeling of itching.

On intact skin, one of the pharmacy antipruritic ointments and solutions can be applied. They usually contain camphor, menthol, phenol, pramoxine, local anesthetics and antihistamines.

Dry skin can be relieved with moisturizing gels and creams.

Antihistamines are traditionally recommended for oral medications. However, it is not entirely clear whether they really reduce itching, or simply, due to their side effect – drowsiness, prevent it from waking you up at night. More modern drugs that do not cause drowsiness are much less effective in combating any itching other than allergic.

***

Well, if nothing helps and the itching continues, or it is accompanied by skin rashes or insomnia, you should not put off going to a dermatologist. This will help to avoid discomfort and complications, and in some cases will allow you to recognize a dangerous disease in the early stages.

Anal itching – causes, what diseases it occurs in, diagnosis and treatment methods

Anal itching: causes of occurrence, in which diseases it occurs, diagnosis and methods of treatment.

Definition

Anal itching, or itching of the anogenital, anorectal region, is characterized by an unbearable desire to scratch the skin adjacent to the anus (the lumen of the anal canal). Areas of irritation, scratching and crusts appear on the skin in the anus. More often, itching bothers patients in the late afternoon or at night.

Burning and itching disturb sleep, lead to anxiety, irritability, neurosis.

Varieties of anal itching

It is customary to distinguish between primary (idiopathic) and secondary anal itching.

Possible acute manifestation of itching and chronic course. Acute itching is characterized by a sudden onset. In the chronic course of the process, itching sometimes weakens or stops, but then resumes with the same intensity.

Possible causes of anal itching

The cause of primary (idiopathic) anal itching may be poor hygiene of the perineal area, as a result of which, due to poor cleansing of the anus, traces of feces irritate the skin. The same situation occurs with the insolvency of the anal sphincter, when the liquid part of the intestinal contents leaks when gases are released and the rectum is stretched.

Secondary anal itching is one of the symptoms of some diseases.

Diabetes mellitus . Skin manifestations in the early stages of diabetes can sometimes serve as signal markers of the disease. Especially often itchy dermatosis is observed in latent and mild forms of diabetes.

In many patients, itching appears six months or more before the diagnosis is made.

In this case, the most common localization of itchy areas are the folds of the abdomen, perineum, intergluteal region.

In patients with psoriasis, allergic and contact dermatitis itchy areas can be located in various areas of the body. The appearance of rashes on the skin of the buttocks and perineum is accompanied by severe, often painful itching.

In contact dermatitis, anal itching can be caused by allergic ingredients in paper and wet tissues, underwear fabrics, or in detergents used for personal hygiene.

Occurrence of itching in hemorrhoids is caused by the fact that large hemorrhoids prevent the anal sphincter from fully closing, and the liquid part of the stool gets on the skin around the anus, causing it to become irritated. Another factor that leads to itching is the constant hydration of the skin due to the use of laxative suppositories. Other symptoms of hemorrhoids include discomfort, a feeling of nagging pain after a bowel movement, mucus and drops of red blood from the rectum.

Harbingers of hemorrhoids for a long time (from several months to several years) may be discomfort in the anus and anal itching.

Pinworm worms parasitize mainly in the large intestine, causing enterobiasis . When laying eggs, the females of these parasites crawl out through the rectum into the outer section of the anus, resulting in burning and itching.

Enterobiasis most often affects children under the age of 12 years.

In addition to pinworms, anal itching can be caused by tapeworms, ascaris, giardia, etc.

Microscopic fungi easily multiply on moist skin of the perineum. Candidiasis , which starts on the mucous membrane of the rectum and the vulva and vagina in women, spreads further, causing itching, burning and irritation of the skin. The development of candidiasis is facilitated by a decrease in immunity, oncological diseases, an imbalance of microflora due to diseases or the use of antibacterial drugs, diseases of the rectum, which are accompanied by cracks, erosion, leakage of the liquid contents of the intestine.

Chlamydia can infect the mucous membranes of the urinary tract, eyes, throat and pelvic organs. With development chlamydial infection in the rectum, the clinical picture of the disease is mostly asymptomatic, and clinical manifestations may include itching and burning in the anorectal region and slight yellowish discharge. Painful urge to defecate and mucopurulent discharge mixed with blood are also possible. The skin around the anus looks reddened and swollen.

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (inflammatory bowel disease) are often accompanied by anal itching. The mucous membranes of not only the small, large and rectum, but also the oral cavity and anus are affected.

Most patients have anal and perianal lesions (anal fistulas, fissures), which exacerbate itching.

Diffuse intestinal polyposis syndrome . Polyposis – outgrowths on the mucous membrane of the intestinal wall – are often asymptomatic, but in some cases, patients may experience bloody-mucous discharge, abdominal pain, and if polyps are located in the rectum (final intestine) and anus, constipation, diarrhea, anal itching.

Anal itching with proctitis (inflammation of the mucous membrane of the sigmoid or rectum) appears due to the bulging of the rectal mucosa into the lumen of the anus and the ingress of its discharge (mucus, traces of blood) onto the surrounding skin. Proctitis occurs due to trauma, constant mechanical and chemical irritation (frequent enemas, prostate massage, eating spicy food). The disease also develops after radiation therapy for malignant tumors (radiation proctitis) or infections (gonorrheal proctitis). In the chronic course of the process, the patient has a feeling of discomfort, incomplete emptying of the intestine, frequent urge to defecate.

In case of chronic paraproctitis (inflammation of the tissues surrounding the rectum, in particular, adipose tissue), anal itching is associated with pus and mucus from the fistulous tract, which is located near the anus, on the skin. The disease is caused by pathogenic microorganisms that penetrate the tissues surrounding the rectum through the anal glands or damaged mucous membrane. Sometimes there is the formation of several fistulous passages, from which pus and feces are released.

Anal itching may be one of the symptoms of rectal cancer . For a long time, malignant tumors can disguise themselves as benign formations, manifesting only discomfort during bowel movements, anal itching, and sometimes a non-healing ulcer. Pain in the anus at the beginning of the disease is observed only during bowel movements.

Cryptitis (inflammation of Morgan’s crypt). Blink crypts are channels through which the secret of the anal glands is discharged into the rectum. With inflammation of the crypt, which can be caused by injuries with hard feces, chronic inflammatory processes (for example, anal fissures), there is constant itching in the anus. The pain has a “scratching” character and is aggravated by defecation, there may be an admixture of blood in the feces. The course of cryptitis is undulating, often patients consider the period of remission to be a complete recovery.

If left untreated, cryptitis can be complicated by paraproctitis.

Which doctor should I contact if I have anal itching

If anal itching occurs in children, first of all, you should contact

pediatrician

. Adult patients should visit

GP

for referrals for tests and a proctologist. To exclude diabetes mellitus, the therapist may refer the patient to

Endocrinologist

. If the allergic nature of anal itching is confirmed, further treatment will be continued by an allergist-immunologist.

Diagnostics and examinations in case of anal itching

To diagnose the disease, the symptom of which is anal itching, fecal analysis for enterobiasis, clinical blood and urine tests, blood tests for glycated hemoglobin 18, fungal infections, autoimmune antibodies are prescribed.

What to do if anal itching occurs

The general recommendation for itching is to follow the rules of personal hygiene and prevent constipation.

Treatment for pruritus ani

Patients with pruritus ani are treated after the cause of the condition has been identified. With the primary nature of itching, the doctor, as a rule, gives recommendations on the rules of personal hygiene, advises to avoid wearing tight underwear, and not to eat spicy foods.

In case of secondary anal itching, it is necessary to treat the disease that caused it.

Sources:

1. Dermatovenereology: Brief Edition / Ed. Yu.S. Butova, Yu.K. Skripkina, O.L. Ivanova. – Moscow: GEOTAR-Media, 2013.
2. Clinical guidelines. Coloproctology. Acute and chronic hemorrhoids / Ed. Yu.A. Shelygin. M.: GEOTAR-Media, 2015. S. 30–52.
3. Clinical guidelines “Chlamydial infection”. Developed by: Russian Society of Dermatovenerologists and Cosmetologists, Russian Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. – 2021.

IMPORTANT!

The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment.