Anal burning and itching can be painful and interfere with work or daily activities.
Treatments will depend on the cause but can include medications and lifestyle adjustments.
boonchai wedmakawand / Getty Images
1.
boonchai wedmakawand / Getty Images
Hemorrhoids (Piles)
Hemorrhoids, sometimes called piles, are a common condition.
Stool
Sometimes the cause of burning in and around the anus is brought on by stool.
After a bowel movement, if the stool isn’t completely removed, it can irritate the skin.
For some people, liquid stool leaks out of the anus and causes burning and itching.
This can happen in healthy people who drink a considerable amount of liquids.
An underlying health condition, or a combination of factors and disorders, may need to be treated.
Using toilet paper to remove stool isn’t always effective.
The toilet paper can spread the stool over the anus and surrounding skin.
Instead, use toilet paper dampened with water to clean the anal area after a bowel movement.
Diet
A person’s diet can cause anal burning and itching.
Anal Fissures
Anal fissuresare tears, sores, or cracks in the anus.
Once an anal fissure starts, it is prone to re-injury.
The greatest risk factor for developing an anal fissure is constipation.
If you have chronic anal fissures, you may need tests to rule out a digestive disease or disorder.
Chemicals and Medications
The anal skin area is sensitive and can easily be injured.
Using harsh chemicals and medications in the anal area can cause skin irritation and reactions.
Some OTC remedies can cause further anal irritation, burning, and itching.
Certain medications, including broad-spectrum antibiotics, also may cause anal itching and burning.
“Pruritis ani” is the medical term for itching at the anus, often with a burning pain.
Excessive Cleaning
One common cause of anal burning and itching is excessive anal cleaning.
This tends to happen to people who feel unclean after a bowel movement and excessively wipe themselves.
It may occur more often in people who are overweight.
Skin Conditions
Psoriasisandeczemaare two skin conditions that can cause itching and burning around the anus.
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes scaly patches on the skin.
Eczema is a throw in of dermatitis that is due to an allergic response.
People with eczema may have dry, scaly skin that itches and burns.
It can be resulting from various allergens like soaps, lotions, and environmental factors.
STIs can also be asymptomatic (showing no symptoms).
Fistulas are often brought on by anal abscesses.
Related Symptoms
Anal burning and itching are brought on by various conditions and causes.
Sometimes when the cause is not found, treating the symptoms becomes the focus.
Once the cause of the burning sensation is found, it can be addressed, and treatment can begin.
If the cause is unknown, treatment focuses on reducing the burning and itching as much as possible.
Many times anal burning and itching can be prevented.
Avoid over-cleaning the anal area and correct any digestive problems like constipation or diarrhea.
UpToDate.Approach to adult patients with anorectal complaints.
Harvard Health Publishing.Anal itch (pruritus ani).
American Academy of Family Physicians.Benign anorectal conditions: Evaluation and management.
Ansari P.Pruritus ani.Clin Colon Rectal Surg.
2016;29(1):38-42. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1570391
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Anal fissures.
Kinberger M, Werner RN.Current guidelines for the management of anogenital diseases.Dermatologie (Heidelb).
2024;75(1):7-14. doi:10.1007/s00105-023-05251-1
American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons.Abscess and fistula.
Michigan Medicine.Managing perianal itching (pruritus ani).
