Itchy Bottom at Night

Pruritus anioranusitis or simply itchy bottom is irritation of the anus. Sometimes, it also causes inflammation of the anus and complicates things a bit. Itching severity may vary from person to person, but certain factors can make things worse, such as your sitting posture and the type of clothing worn. Excessive pressure on the anal area may also exacerbate things a bit. Itchy bottom at night can make you extremely uncomfortable and interrupt your sleep. What you need to understand is that it is not a disease in itself, but may be an indication of an underlying health condition.

Possible Reasons Why You Have Itchy Bottom at Night

Resisting the temptation to scratch your bottom can be quite tough. It can be quite embarrassing to do it in front of others, but some people find it intolerable. To find a treatment option, you first need to identify the causes of your condition.

1.        Too Much Moisture

You are more likely to develop anal itching if moisture levels around your anal area are high. This could be due to diarrhea, allergies, over-sweating, fecal incontinence, or inappropriate clothing.

2.        Hemorrhoids

You have hemorrhoids if the veins in your rectum or around the anus are inflamed or swollen. Hemorrhoids can develop externally or internally. If you have hemorrhoids, this may explain why you have itchy bottom at night.

3.        Skin Conditions

Your chances of developing anal itching increase when you have an existing skin condition, such as seborrhea, eczema, or psoriasis. You may also experience itching on other parts of your body.

4.        Rough Handling

Not cleaning your bottom properly after using the bathroom may well be among the reasons why you have developed anal itching. Abrasive rubbing using low-quality toilet paper may irritate your skin and lead to itching. Over-washing the anal area may also result in the same. Similarly, you may be using douches, soaps, or body sprays that contain harsh chemicals. These chemicals can irritate your skin and lead to anal itching.

5.        Threadworms

Also known as pinworms, threadworms are tiny worms no longer than 13mm in most cases. They live in the lower part of your bowel and can creep out of the anus and lay thousands of eggs on the skin of the anus. These eggs can contribute to itchy bottom at night. When you use your fingers for scratching, these eggs may lodge under your nails. It is easy to swallow these eggs when you bring your hands closer to your mouth. This will re-infect your gut and the problem continues. If other people in your family have the same issue, this could be due to threadworms.

6.        Other Conditions

Several underlying health conditions may also result in itchy bottom. For instance:

  • STDs: Sexually transmitted infections can cause anal itching as well as genital itching in many cases.
  • Forced bowel movement: This usually happens when you have constipation. This puts serious strain on your anus and may even lead to a small tear (an anal abrasion) or a deeper tear (an anal fissure). This will eventual cause anal itching.

How to Deal with Itchy Bottom at Night

Now that you know what causes the embarrassing itchiness, it is possible to take some steps and resolve the problem. In most cases, you can treat this problem by taking simple self-care measures. Here are some simple measures to prevent your bottom itching.

1.        Keep Clean and Dry

As mentioned already, one of the biggest causes of anal itching is high moisture levels around anal area. It is therefore important to take steps to keep this area clean and dry. Here is what to do:

  • Use water to clean your anus gently after having a bowel movement and do the same before going to bed.
  • Use only mild soap to clean your bottom to avoid skin irritation.
  • Dry your bottom gently after every wash. Never rub it vigorously. Pat drying with a soft towel will do.
  • Use a hair dryer if you want to be absolutely sure that your anal area is dry – use it on a low heat setting.
  • Use damp toilet paper after using a public toilet and pat your bottom dry.
  • Place a cotton tissue in your underwear if you have a tendency to sweat a lot.

2.        Self-Care Measures

Here are some other tips to keep you from dealing with itchy bottom at night.

  • Always use soft toilet paper.
  • Take a bath daily.
  • Wear loose-fitting clothes with cotton underwear.
  • Try a light duvet before going to bed at night.
  • Never use scented soaps, perfumed, or bubble bath.
  • Keep your fingernails trimmed and wear cotton gloves at night to avoid causing any damage when scratching unintentionally.

3.        Diet

Paying attention to your diet will also play a big role in keeping you from facing problems like itchy bottom at night. You should avoid eating spicy foods, tomatoes, chocolate, nuts, coffee, dairy products, and citrus fruits because they can make your itchy bottom worse.

4.        Medication

While you may find relief from self-care measures, you may consider trying medications if problem persists. There are topical treatments to help resolve the issue, but avoid using these creams for more than two weeks.

  • Soothing ointments: You can find OTC soothing creams or your doctor may prescribe one. You have to apply it directly on the skin around your anus before going to bed and after you wake up in the morning. You may have to use it after every bowel movement.
  • Topical corticosteroids: Your doctor may prescribe a mild topical corticosteroid to alleviate pain, itching, and inflammation. Be sure to talk to your doctor if these medications make your itching worse.
  • Antihistamines: You may benefit from antihistamines if your anal itching is due to an allergic reaction. Your doctor may prescribe hydroxyzine or chlorphenamine to reduce anal itching at night. They may only work for a couple of weeks though.

 
 
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