Healthdirect Free Australian health advice you can count on.

Medical problem? Call 1800 022 222. If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately

healthdirect Australia is a free service where you can talk to a nurse or doctor who can help you know what to do.

beginning of content

Itchy anus (pruritus ani)

7-minute read

Key facts

  • An itchy anus, also known as pruritus ani is characterised by a constant urge to scratch the anus causing distress.
  • There are many causes, including leakage of poo, infections, hygiene issues, eczema, haemorrhoids and anal fissures.
  • Treatment options include steroid ointments.
  • Lifestyle changes may also help manage the condition, for example, avoiding soaps and harsh wiping, shorter showers that are not too hot and wearing cotton clothing.
  • A doctor can diagnose you with pruritus ani by doing a physical examination.

What is an itchy anus?

An itchy anus (bottom or bum) can be an embarrassing and uncomfortable problem. The itch in or around the anus, can be extremely intense and persistent, causing a constant urge to scratch.

If you have an itchy anus, your scratching may trigger an ‘itch-scratch-itch’ cycle. This is when you feel itchy, so you scratch to make it feel better. But scratching can actually cause more irritation and make it worse, which creates a cycle of itching and scratching.

However, once the cause is discovered, there are many options available to help relieve symptoms.

Itchy anus is also known as pruritus ani.

What are symptoms of an itchy anus?

At first, the skin around your anus will be red and scratched. If your itch is ongoing and you can’t stop scratching, the skin around your anus becomes thickened from all the rubbing and irritation.

If your itchy anus is caused by threadworms, your itch may be worse at night. You might be able to see small white worms in the area.

CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.

What causes an itchy anus?

There are many possible causes for having an itchy anus. Some of them are due to diet or lifestyle habits, such as:

Some causes of an itchy anus relate to a medical cause, such as:

How can I care for an itchy anus at home?

If you know the cause of your itchy anus, your treatment should focus on managing it.

There are also several lifestyle changes you can try that may ease the itching.

Stop scratching

  • Repeated scratching and rubbing can cause the skin around your anus to thicken. This makes the itchiness worse.
  • Sometimes when you sleep scratching is unavoidable.
  • Try and break the itch-scratch-itch cycle, so your skin can start to heal — ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.

Diet

Clothing

  • Wear loose clothing made from natural fibres, such as cotton.
  • Avoid wearing nylon underwear.
  • Males should wear cotton boxer shorts.

Personal hygiene

  • After going to the toilet: Avoid harsh wiping. Some people find wiping with cotton wool balls dipped in warm water more comfortable than using toilet paper. Do not rub the area, as this has the same effect as scratching.
  • Showers: Keep showers short and not too hot. Some people find a quick shower after going to the toilet helpful.
  • Hygiene products: Choose sensitive skin care products, such as perfume-free creams and toilet paper.
  • Stop using soaps: Try using soap substitutes. Soaps, shampoos, bubble baths all remove the natural oils from your skin making it dry and itchy. Ask your pharmacist for a recommendation.
  • Sweating: If you find sweating makes you itchier, try folding a perfume-free tissue into a small square and placing it over the area to absorb any sweat. Change the tissue often.

Medicines

  • Your doctor may prescribe you a low strength steroid ointment.
  • If threadworms are causing your itching, you can buy over the counter medicines from your pharmacy. This treatment should be repeated 2 weeks later. The whole family will need to be treated.

When should I see a doctor?

Despite taking these measures, it’s important to see your doctor if:

  • you have any anal bleeding
  • the area seems to be infected
  • you don’t know what’s causing the itch
  • the itch is intense
  • the itch lasts longer than 2 months

Your doctor can check that rare and specific causes of itchy anus (such as worms and anal cancer) aren’t overlooked. They can prescribe treatments for the cause of the itch, and can also give you advice to manage your symptoms, so you are less likely to scratch.

ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

How is itchy anus diagnosed?

As with all general health issues, the best place to start is by seeing your GP. Depending on your symptoms and any other co-existing health conditions, your doctor may refer you to a dermatologist (skin specialist) who will examine your body. They will check if your itchy anus is caused by a skin condition.

Sometimes your doctor may choose to do the following tests:

Resources and support:

  • Read more about itchy anus on The Australasian College of Dermatologists ‘Pruritus Ani’ page.
  • Learn more about haemorrhoids, a condition that can cause itchy anus on our healthdirectHaemorrhoids’ page.
  • Call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria) for more information and advice. A registered nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: December 2023


Back To Top

Need more information?

These trusted information partners have more on this topic.

Top results

ACD A-Z of Skin - Pruritus ani

The term "pruritus ani" refers to an 'itchy bottom'.This is a common and distressing problem for many people. It occurs most commonly in middle-aged white men.

Read more on Australasian College of Dermatologists website

Worms in kids & teens | Raising Children Network

Worms are common, especially in kids aged 4-11 years. If your child has an itchy bottom, it could be a sign of worms. Here’s how to treat and prevent worms.

Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website

Worms in childhood | Health and wellbeing | Queensland Government

Threadworms, also called pinworms, are tiny, very thin white worms about 5 millimetres long that live in the intestine and around the anus.

Read more on Queensland Health website

Threadworms | Health and wellbeing | Queensland Government

Threadworms, also called pinworms, are tiny, very thin white worms about 5 millimetres long that live in the intestine and around the anus.

Read more on Queensland Health website

Healthdirect 24hr 7 days a week hotline

24 hour health advice you can count on

1800 022 222

Government Accredited with over 140 information partners

We are a government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice

Australian Government, health department logo ACT Government logo New South Wales government, health department logo Northen Territory Government logo Queensland Government logo Government of South Australia, health department logo Tasmanian government logo Victorian government logo Government of Western Australia, health department logo

Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.