Skip to main content

Pruritus Ani

Marie L Borum, MD, EdD, MPH, Justin Paul Canakis, D.O. and Jacob Thomas Newman, D.O. Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Intense anal/perianal itching and/or burning

  • Usually acute (defined as <6 weeks of symptoms)

  • Classified as primary (idiopathic) or secondary (25–75% of cases) to anorectal pathology...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Patients present with complaints of anal and/or perianal itching, burning, or excoriation.

  • Inquire about:

    • Timing (when it started, when it is worse)

    • Perianal hygiene (frequency of cleans...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Proper anal/perianal hygiene. Avoid vigorous rubbing while cleansing after bowel movement. Use cotton swabs moistened with warm water instead of tissue paper. Avoid chemical...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • See patient every 2 weeks if not improving.

  • Ensure proper hygiene and avoidance of irritants.

  • Work up for systemic disease, and check for persistent lichenification...

REFERENCES

1
Jakubauskas M, Dulskas A. Evaluation, management and future perspectives of anal pruritus: a narrative review. Eur J Med Res. 2023;28(1):57. doi: 10.1186/s40001-023-01018-5.
2
Sacks OA, Bere...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Davies D, Bailey J. Diagnosis and management of anorectal disorders in the primary care setting. Prim Care. 2017;44(4):709–720.

  • Felemovicius...

SEE ALSO

Pinworms; Pruritus Vulvae 

CODES

ICD10

L29.0 Pruritus ani 

SNOMED

90446007 Pruritus ani (disorder) 

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Pruritus ani is characterized by anal/perianal itching and/or burning. It is a skin irritation with itch–scratch–itch cycle.

  • Conservative treatment with perianal hygiene and reassurance...

Subscribe to Access Full Content

Sign Up for a 10-Day Free Trial

Sign up for a 10-day FREE Trial now and receive full access to all content.

 
×