Rectal problems are indeed a common phenomenon. Almost everyone will encounter some form of rectal itching, bleeding, or pain at some point in their lives. These issues are usually minor and may subside either naturally or with effective homes treatments.
Rectal Itching
- It is usually not an indication of a grave disease. Initially, the skin around the anal area may become red. Repetitive scratching and itching may cause the skin to become white and thickened. The well-known causes of rectal itching entail:
- Poor cleaning of the anal region after bowel movements. Discomfort and itchiness which occurs when pieces of the stool are trapped in the folds of skin around the anus.
- Medication, more so those causing constipation or diarrhea, such as antibiotics.
- Cleaning of the anal area with extremely hot water in addition to strong-scented soaps.
- The anal area is usually oily to curb the irritation of bowel movements. Therefore, repeated cleaning will eradicate these oils, hence resulting in a cycle of itching which could be challenging to stop.
- The use of scented soaps, ointments or toilet paper.
- A condition of dry skin itching that negatively impacts the entire body, more so in older adults.
- Hemorrhoids, which are swollen veins outside the anus, or towards the lower section of the rectum. Using treatments such as hemorrhoid cream with lidocaine can help alleviate this.
- An infection of the rectum or the anus, that stems from viruses (for example, genital warts), pinworms, yeast, parasites from animals, pinworms, and bacteria. Pinworms are more common in children than adults.
- Particular foods running the gamut from alcoholic beverages, coffee, chocolate, cola, spicy foods, tomatoes, and the overindulgence in vitamin C.
- Infections when traveling which result in rectal itchiness, among other issues.
Rectal Pain
- It may be as a result of anal itching, constipation, or diarrhea. Additionally, rectal pain which stems from these three conditions goes away upon the problem clearing up. Other causes of rectal pain which are not as common and trigger anal itching are:
- Enlarged veins in the anus (hemorrhoids).
- Structural issues such as rectal prolapse, anal fissures, and anal fistulas.
- Infections such as abscess, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI), cysts, and prostate infections.
- Injury from anal intercourse, the insertion of foreign objects, or abuse.
- A myriad of diseases such as Crohn’s, Diabetes, Ulcerative Colitis, Lymphoma, and Liver Cirrhosis.
- Skin cancer such as squamous cell cancer alongside Bowen’s disease.
- Previous treatments such as radiation therapy to the pelvis or rectum.
- Rectal spasms
Rectal Bleeding
An abundance of people has small amounts of rectal bleeding. When the rectum becomes irritated from constipation or diarrhea, small hemorrhoids can cause a small amount of bright red blood on either the toilet paper or the surface of the stool. Anal fissures and hemorrhoids appear after straining during constipation. Pruritus Ani ointment reduces the itchy day to day and provides the permanent solution.
While the bleeding leads to pain during bowel movements, it certainly does not make the toilet water bloody. Hence, if there is only a small amount of blood and the bleeding comes to a halt, this indicates that the problem is not serious, more so, if constipation or diarrhea comes to a halt. In most instances, home treatment is all that is required.
Bleeding can take place within the digestive tract, and the blood is digested as it traverses across the Tract. The longer the blood takes to make its way through the Tract, the less similarity it has to blood. In most instances, blood which is caused by bleeding in the stomach has a tarry and black appearance. Tarry stool has a sticky, black, and shiny outlook and is strikingly similar to the tar you would find on a road. Blood which has swiftly made its way through the digestive tract or starts near the rectum may seem deep red.