Anal Itching (pruritis ani)
What to Do About Itchy Anus
Q. I have suffered from pruritus ani (itchy anus) for years. I saw different specialists who were good at diagnosing the problem but incapable of telling me what caused it or how to cure it. Many of t…
What Will Work to Prevent Itchy Bottom?
What could be more embarrassing than persistent anal itching? This problem is common enough that doctors have a fancy word for it: pruritus ani. They don't always have a good solution, though. Over th…
How Drinking Buttermilk Could Relieve Itchy Bott…
What could be more embarrassing than an itch in a private place? You can't scratch it, yet the constant itch is extremely distracting. This is the dilemma that drives people to find a way to relieve i…
Using Greek Yogurt to Ease an Itchy Bottom
It can sometimes be difficult to figure out the cause of an itchy bottom, and without a clear diagnosis, treatment can also be challenging. One woman came up with an ingenious--if potentially messy--s…
Old-Fashioned Face Cream Soothes Itchy Bottom
Q. I've been plagued with external hemorrhoids for years. They weren't particularly painful, but the itch was unbelievable and kept me awake at night. I tried every hemorrhoid cream on the market, si…
Cut the Coffee to Relieve Itchy Bottom
Q. I suffered with anal itch for a very long time. Prescribed creams didn't help. Finally one doctor told me to avoid caffeine. I switched to decaf and it changed my life. He also recommended no spicy…
Super Sleuthing Is Needed to Reveal Source and P…
Q. I have been experiencing an embarrassing anal itch for two months. My physician doesn't seem interested beyond prescribing lotions that don't do much after the first few minutes. I tried sponging t…
Anal Itching (Pruritis Ani) Be Caused By Drugs?
Q. Unless you have had pruritus ani, you have no idea how it affects your whole life. Anal itching is absolutely like being tortured. You itch with an uncontrollable desire to scratch, whether on an a…
Bidet Alleviates Itchy Bottom
Q. I have been diagnosed with pruritus ani, itching around the anal area. This condition causes itching so intense that it can keep me up at night. My doctor ruled out hemorrhoids and other causes. I …
Itchy Bottom Syndrome AKA Pruritis Ani or Anal I…
Q. A year ago I read in your column about a woman who complained of anal itching. I too had this problem until a kidney specialist recommended using witch hazel. This is a simple solution for a vexing…