- « Previous
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Anal Itching (cont.)
Jay W. Marks, MD
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
In this Article
- What is anal itching?
- What causes anal itching?
- How is anal itching treated?
- Local anesthetics
- Vasoconstrictors
- Protectants
- Astringents
- Antiseptics
- Keratolytics
- Analgesics
- Corticosteroids
- What if anal itching persists?
- Take the Hemorrhoids Quiz
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Slideshow Pictures
- Psoriasis Slideshow Pictures
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids reduce inflammation and can relieve itching, but their chronic use can cause permanent damage to the skin. They should not be used for more than short periods of a few days to two weeks. Only products with weak corticosteroid effects are available over-the-counter. Stronger corticosteroid products that are available by prescription should not be used for treating anal itching.
What if anal itching persists?
For persistent anal itching, efforts are directed toward identifying an underlying cause. An examination by a doctor can rapidly identify most causes of anal itching. Adjustments in diet, treatment of infections, or surgical procedures to correct the underlying cause may be required.
REFERENCE: MedscapeReference.com. Proctitis and Anusitis.
- « Previous
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
http://www.medicinenet.com/anal_itching/article.htm
GI Disorders
Get the latest treatment options.
Updated & New
