# Anal itch (TMI)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-itch-tmi/565987>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 31, 2010, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-itch-tmi/565987 "2010-12-31T20:53:48Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\
**Post date:** [December 31, 2010, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-itch-tmi/565987/1 "2010-12-31T20:53:48Z")

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When a person’s anus is less than 100% clean (say, due to seepage), what causes the itch? Is the skin sensitive to certain chemicals in the feces, and does this have to do with the food eaten? And in what respect is it different than the skin \*\*\*inside \*\*\*the anus, which presumably doesn’t itch?

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**Author:** ![Todderbob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@Todderbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Todderbob)\
**Post date:** [December 31, 2010, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-itch-tmi/565987/2 "2010-12-31T20:56:36Z")

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Try dripping water down any part of your body, it feels weird and inspires itch.

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**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\
**Post date:** [December 31, 2010, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-itch-tmi/565987/3 "2010-12-31T21:54:59Z")

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> **[Anal Itching: Treatment, Causes, Symptoms & Home Remedies](https://www.medicinenet.com/anal_itching/article.htm)**
>
> Learn about the causes of anal and vaginal itching, like pinworms, diarrhea, psoriasis, anal fissure, hemorrhoids, skin tags, yeast infection, diabetes, and HIV. Plus, read about treatment options, causes, diagnosis, and home remedies.

> **[Anal itching - Symptoms and causes](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anal-itching/symptoms-causes/syc-20369345)**
>
> Learn about the causes, treatment and self-care tips for this common, sometimes embarrassing condition.

> **[Pruritus ani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pruritus_ani)**
>
> Pruritus ani is the irritation of the skin at the exit of the rectum, known as the anus, causing the desire to scratch. The intensity of anal itching increases from moisture, pressure, and rubbing caused by clothing and sitting. At worst, anal itching causes intolerable discomfort that often is accompanied by burning and soreness. It is estimated that up to 5% of the population of the United States experiences this type of discomfort daily.
> If a specific cause for pruritus ani is found it is cl...

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**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\
**Post date:** [December 31, 2010, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-itch-tmi/565987/4 "2010-12-31T22:46:51Z")

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> [@panache45](#):
>
> And in what respect is it different than the skin \*\*\*inside \*\*\*the anus, which presumably doesn’t itch?

The skin inside is a mucous membrane, which produces a protective layer of mucous. That is why your body doean’t digest itself, being mostly meat.

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**Author:** ![Al\_Bundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@Al\_Bundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al_Bundy)\
**Post date:** [December 31, 2010, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-itch-tmi/565987/5 "2010-12-31T23:13:57Z")

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The anus is a sensitive area. Extra moisture or material there is easily sensed. I don’t know that it automatically itches unless the moisture has caused irritation. Cleaning and the application of Vaseline should be helpful.