Have you ever experienced an itchy anus at night and wondered what this symptom could be due to? In this FastlyHealarticle, we will discover all the possible causes of this condition, which can be very annoying and can be experienced both inside the anus and on the skin around it. In addition, on many occasions, it can be accompanied by other signs, such as redness, irritation, stinging, burning, pain, and wounds in the rectal area. It is essential to identify the origin of this condition since, as we will see throughout the article, in many cases, it is due to a specific disease or condition that will require medical treatment and specific personal care for its total cure. Continue reading this article and discover precisely what is the answer to the question of why my anus itches at night.
Table of Contents
Excess moisture in the anal area or use of irritating products
Among the leading causes of the itchy anus at night, there is an excess of humidity in the anal area, which can occur due to different factors such as the following:
- Excessive sweating
- Accumulation of small fecal material remains around the anus due to improper cleaning after defecation.
- Not correctly drying the anal region after bathing or showering.
It is essential to keep the anal area clean and dry since excess moisture in it, in addition to causing that annoying night itch, can increase the chances of suffering an infection.
On other occasions, anal itching can result from skin irritation due to the constant use of aggressive or irritating hygiene products, creams, soaps, perfumed toilet papers, etc.
Itching and blood in the anus from hemorrhoids, anal fissures, or fistula
As causes of itching anus on typical nights are also conditions such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and perianal fistula, which are often interrelated. Let’s see below what are the main symptoms of each of them.
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are dilations of the rectal or anal area veins, which appear as complex and tender lumps. These usually cause pain, and anal itching, especially when resting or defecating, burning, and bleeding due to the effort made in defecation.
In the case of hemorrhoids, it is essential to modify the diet to combat constipation and use the necessary corticosteroid drugs, analgesics, or laxatives. Learn more about the best treatment in the article Hemorrhoids: Types, Symptoms, and Treatments.
Anal fissure
An anal fissure is a wound or tear in the mucous tissue that lines the inside of the anus. That commonly occurs due to constipation, which could cause tremendous pressure and repetitive damage to the area during defecation. Its main symptoms include sharp and intense pain, burning and itching in the anus, blood in the stool, sphincter contracture, and prolonged constipation.
For its treatment, you can resort to anesthetic ointments, sitz baths, changes in lifestyle to combat constipation, stool softeners, and laxatives. Botulinum toxin injections or surgery may be considered when these options don’t work. We explain everything in detail in the article Anal fissure: symptoms and treatment.
perianal fistula
Itching in the anus can also be a symptom of a so-called perianal fistula, an abnormal duct or abscess that develops in the rectum area and fills with purulent material and fluid. It can be caused by a wound in the anus, infection or inflammation, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis. Its main symptoms are pain during the evacuation, a hard lump in the anal region, itching, bloody stools, discomfort when sitting, and fever (in some more severe cases).
The only effective treatment in the case of the perianal fistula is surgery, so you should consult your doctor in the event of the above symptoms.
Itching in the anus from parasites
The itchy anus parasite is most common among children but can affect anyone. In this case, we are talking about an infection in the intestines caused by parasites, also known as pinworms or intestinal worms. It is characterized by the presence of a kind of good white worms in the large intestine, which reproduce and deposit their eggs on the margins of the anus, which is why they cause a lot of itching and irritation in this area, which is also, much more intense at night. In addition, the affected person may present other symptoms such as difficulty sleeping, infection of the skin around the anus, itching in the genital area, and irritability.
It is essential to see a doctor at the slightest suspicion of intestinal worms since a specific treatment with an antiparasitic drug administered orally will be necessary. In addition, care and hygiene measures must be taken to the extreme since there is a high risk of contagion or reinfection. You can see much more details about this infection in the article Pinworms: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment.
Itching in or around the anus: genital warts
Continuing with the causes of the itchy anus at night, we must mention genital warts or condylomas, which can also appear and affect that body area. These warts are one of the most common STDs caused by the human papillomavirus, which can be transmitted by skin-to-skin contact with an infected person during sex. Contagion can occur both during vaginal and anal, and oral intercourse.
They are characterized by being raised or flat, large or small bumps or masses on the skin, and in the form of a cluster or a single wart in isolation. They can appear in different areas of the female and male body, and although they are more common on the genitals, they can also appear on the skin around or inside the anus. They cause symptoms such as itching or itching, excessive moisture in the area, heavy vaginal discharge, bleeding during intercourse, etc.
It is essential to go to the doctor to start the appropriate treatment. Although the human papilloma virus has no cure, it is possible to control the outbreaks of genital warts and promote their elimination.
Itching in the anus due to fungi
The itching night anus can also be caused by a fungal infection, known as anal or rectal candidiasis. Fungi can find the perfect environment in the anus (moist, dark, and closed) to increase and cause an infection, which causes very annoying symptoms such as itching in the anus, burning, redness, inflammation, and the appearance of blisters.
In this case, the yeast infection is usually caused by unprotected anal intercourse. This vaginal yeast infection has moved to the anal area or a significant imbalance of the immune system. In any case, it is necessary to go to a medical consultation since its treatment requires the administration of antifungal drugs capable of stopping the advance of the infection.
Skin conditions that cause an itchy anus
In addition to the fungi that can affect the skin of the anus, other skin conditions can cause itching in the anus, in addition to other symptoms; and these are the following:
- Psoriasis: Psoriasis in the anus manifests as redness without scaling and itching, so it can easily be confused with other conditions such as infections, itchy hemorrhoids, roundworms, or yeast infections.
- Atopic dermatitis or eczema.
- Allergies or contact dermatitis.
Other possible causes of itchy anus
- Having diabetes
- Use some medications, such as those indicated to treat arthritis, gout, or infections.
- Obesity.
- A poor diet: an excessive intake of alcohol, caffeine, dairy, or foods rich in sugar, fatty, or highly spicy can cause an itchy anus at night.
- Trauma in the anal area causes a wound that, when healed, can cause itching in the anus.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Why does my anus itch at night, we recommend that you enter our Digestive System category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.