Itchy bottom
Itchy bottom
Itchy bottom means your skin around the anus keeps feeling itchy, and you get a strong urge to scratch it. The anus is simply the opening at the lower end of your digestive system, the place through which solid waste leaves your body.
Common Symptoms
Symptom information is not available for this condition yet.
⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Medicines Commonly Used
⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.
No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.
When to See a Doctor
When to get help
A pharmacist can often help to treat an itchy bottom. You can ask if they have a private area to discuss your symptoms.
They can suggest treatments like:
- creams and ointments to relieve itching
- medication if the symptoms are caused by threadworms
Contact your GP practice if:
You have an itchy bottom that:
- doesn’t get better after 3 to 4 days
- keeps coming back
- makes you anxious or depressed
- affects your sleep
- is painful
- is accompanied by other symptoms, like itching elsewhere on your body
- is caused by an underlying condition like piles
Your GP might need to check your bottom (a rectal examination) to help find out what’s causing your itching. You may feel awkward, but this is nothing to be embarrassed or worried about. It’s one of the most common examinations GPs carry out.
At your appointment, your GP may ask:
- whether you use creams, powders or soaps around your bottom
- how long you have had the itching
- whether the itching gets worse at night or after eating certain foods
- if you have any other symptoms
Your GP will decide on the best treatment for you depending on what’s causing your symptoms. They may suggest:
- things you can do yourself to ease an itchy bottom
- a stronger medication, cream or ointment
How to ease an itchy bottom yourself
Do
- use soft toilet tissue
- bath or shower daily
- have shorter, cooler showers and baths
- keep your bottom clean and dry
- wear loose-fitting cotton underwear
- change your underwear daily
- only put underwear on when your bottom is completely dry
- use a light duvet at night so you don’t get too hot
- gently wash and dry your bottom after pooing and before bed
- keep your fingernails short to stop your skin from being damaged by scratching
- wear cotton gloves while sleeping to avoid damaging the skin if you scratch
- wear stockings instead of tights
- eat foods with fibre (fruit, vegetables and wholegrains) to help produce regular, solid poo
Don’t
- do not wear tight clothing
- do not use scented soaps, bubble bath or perfumes
- do not use scented powders near your bottom
- do not scratch if you can
- do not eat food or drink that makes your itching worse, for example caffeine, alcohol, citrus fruit or spicy foods
Don’t include personal information e.g. name, location or any personal health conditions.
Causes
What causes an itchy bottom?
The exact cause isn't always clear. If it settles quickly on its own, it may simply be a short term issue, such as sweating more in hot weather.
It's rare for an itchy bottom on its own to point to something serious.
If it drags on for longer, other symptoms you notice might give a clue about the cause. Even so, please do not try to diagnose it yourself. Talk to your GP if it's worrying you.
Threadworms
Itching that gets worse at night is often caused by threadworms, and this is especially common in children.
Threadworm medicine is not suitable if you are:
- pregnant
- breastfeeding
- a child under 2
In these cases, speak to a GP, midwife or health visitor instead.
Conditions linked to an itchy bottom
Sometimes an itchy bottom is a sign of another problem or condition, such as:
- skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, especially if you notice itching elsewhere on the body too
- threadworms, particularly in children, where symptoms worsen at night and thread like worms appear in the stool
- haemorrhoids (piles), which cause swelling in and around the anus, along with pain and bleeding when passing stool
- bowel incontinence or diarrhoea, which can lead to stool leakage or a loss of control over bowel movements
- a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as genital warts, which can cause sores, swelling and irritation
- ringworm, which can also cause sores, swelling and irritation
Certain long term medications can cause an itchy bottom as well, such as steroid creams or peppermint oil.