# Disgusting bodily fact #112395: My butt itches-- diabetes? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 21, 2003, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-bodily-fact-112395-my-butt-itches-diabetes/169954 "2003-04-21T01:47:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-bodily-fact-112395-my-butt-itches-diabetes/169954/1 "2003-04-21T01:47:30Z")
I sometimes get a really, really terrible itch. Not on my butt, but in that very secret place that is the center of buttness-- the portal to my digestive system. I have read that this can be a symptom of diabetes and I have been diagnosed as such. My question is: Why? Why would glucose in my blood make my doody-door itch like mad? Does the itch mean I should check my sugar? P.S. It’s not itching right now-- I just wanna know for future reference. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-bodily-fact-112395-my-butt-itches-diabetes/169954/2 "2003-04-21T02:16:49Z")
Pruritus Ani! What a charming diagnosis. People with diabetes tend to have more yeast infections (vaginal, skin fold, anus) than others. That may be why there’s a higher incidence of persistant rectal itch in diabetics. If there’s another connection, I have been unable to find it. The “Handbook of Dermatology” by Dr. C. S. Leung states that most pruritus ani is due to yeast. So that’d be high on my list of possible reasons for someone’s fanny to itch if they have DM. Yeast loves to grow anywhere its dark and warm and moist. One could try good washing and drying, and the using of cornstarch or other drying agents in one’s shorts to ameliorate the symptoms. Otherwise a topical antifungal along with a mild cortisone cream (both available OTC) could help. If these measures do not help, one should then proceed apace to see their doctor. Now you’ve got me scratching, dammit! QtM, MD ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-bodily-fact-112395-my-butt-itches-diabetes/169954/3 "2003-04-21T02:21:02Z")
Mr. Ruby was just diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and I’m glad doody-door-itching was not among his symptoms. While not experts, we’ve done quite a bit of reading and attended classes at the hospital and I haven’t heard of that one. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-bodily-fact-112395-my-butt-itches-diabetes/169954/4 "2003-04-21T02:23:01Z")
I think I should start paying you a Doper retainer, **QtM**. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-bodily-fact-112395-my-butt-itches-diabetes/169954/5 "2003-04-21T04:43:52Z")
Diabetics almost always have (in addition to high blood sugars) polyuria and polydipsia. If you don’t drink and pee more than the average Littlegirl there is probably something else causing your painful rectal itch. With a name like Smuckers… ---
**Author:** ![HPL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3da27b/32.png) [@HPL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HPL)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-bodily-fact-112395-my-butt-itches-diabetes/169954/6 "2003-04-21T04:50:12Z")
Can you still have an itchy butt but not diabetes? ---
**Author:** ![zoogirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b9bd4f/32.png) [@zoogirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoogirl)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-bodily-fact-112395-my-butt-itches-diabetes/169954/7 "2003-04-21T04:58:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by HPL \* > \*\*Can you still have an itchy butt but not diabetes? \*\* Yup, hemaroids’ll do it. Also crabs. :eek: (slight hijack) When I was having my first baby, I had toxemia and itched all over so bad, all I could do was lay in a lukewarm tub and whimper. Not pleasant! ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-bodily-fact-112395-my-butt-itches-diabetes/169954/8 "2003-04-21T05:01:57Z")
Sure, you could have pin worms. ---
**Author:** ![choosybeggar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@choosybeggar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choosybeggar)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-bodily-fact-112395-my-butt-itches-diabetes/169954/9 "2003-04-21T05:48:47Z")
Cashew allergy can also cause a horrible IBC (itchy butt complex) ---
**Author:** ![Mac\_Guffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@Mac\_Guffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mac_Guffin)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-bodily-fact-112395-my-butt-itches-diabetes/169954/10 "2003-04-21T06:11:52Z")
My favorite entry in my Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, (Edition # 17) is on page, 631. “emperor of pruritus. The itching that accompanies poison ivy dermatitis involving the anal area. It is so intense that it is referred to as the emperor of pruritus.” :eek: Not that that has much to do with the OP, but sheesh. Imagine wiping your butt with poison Ivy! ---
**Author:** ![Satisfying\_Andy\_Licious](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/50afbb/32.png) [@Satisfying\_Andy\_Licious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satisfying_Andy_Licious)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-bodily-fact-112395-my-butt-itches-diabetes/169954/11 "2003-04-21T06:30:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Particlewill \* > \*\*My favorite entry in my Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, (Edition # 17) is on page, 631. > > “emperor of pruritus. > The itching that accompanies poison ivy dermatitis involving the anal area. It is so intense that it is referred to as the emperor of pruritus.” > > :eek: > Not that that has much to do with the OP, but sheesh. Imagine wiping your butt with poison Ivy! \*\* “Leaves of three, good T.P.” ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-bodily-fact-112395-my-butt-itches-diabetes/169954/12 "2003-04-22T00:39:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by choosybeggar \* > \*\*Cashew allergy can also cause a horrible **IBC** (itchy butt complex) \*\* I’ll never look at a root beer the same again…:eek: ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-bodily-fact-112395-my-butt-itches-diabetes/169954/13 "2003-04-22T01:12:18Z")
My answer was meant to reflect the most common reason for pruritus ani in diabetics. In non-diabetics yeast is also a very common reason for itch. But the differential diagnosis for the condition is lengthy: Systemic causes Hyperbilirubinemia Leukemia Aplastic Anemia Thyroid disease Functional and mechanical causes Chronic Diarrhea Chronic Constipation Anal Fissure Anal fistula Tight fitting clothes Vigorous peri-anal cleaning Stool Leakage Anal Incontinence Prolapsed Hemorrhoids Rectal prolapse Anal papilloma Infections Erythrasma (Corynebacterium) Intertrigo (Candida) Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Human papillomavirus (HPV) Pinworms (Enterobius) Scabies Perirectal Abscess Gonorrhea Syphilis Dermatologic causes Psoriasis Seborrheic Dermatitis Intertrigo Neurodermatitis Bowen’s Disease Atopic Dermatitis Lichen planus Lichen Sclerosis Exposures _Systemic: Medications_ Colchicine Quinidine _Topicals: Contact Dermatitis_ Soaps, deodorants or perfumes Alcohol-based anal wipes Allergy to dyes or perfumes in toilet paper Fabric softener intolerance _Topicals: Food irritants_ Tomatoes Caffeinated beverages Beer Citrus juices or fruit Milk products From: [http://www.fpnotebook.com/GI228.htm](http://www.fpnotebook.com/GI228.htm) **NB** : Many texts will say that diabetes causes pruritus ani, but most experts agree this is secondary to candidal rectal infections, not to diabetes directly. ---
**Author:** ![robinh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b77776/32.png) [@robinh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robinh)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-bodily-fact-112395-my-butt-itches-diabetes/169954/14 "2003-04-22T04:12:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Qadgop the Mercotan \* > \*\* > One could try good washing and drying, and the using of cornstarch or other drying agents in one’s shorts to ameliorate the symptoms. > > QtM, MD \*\* No, not cornstarch. Yeast loves cornstarch. It will eat it right up and ask for more. Talc works fine, but is problematic when inhaled. I like kaolin clay, myself. (It was the one thing that really helped my sensitive-skinned babies.) ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-bodily-fact-112395-my-butt-itches-diabetes/169954/15 "2003-04-22T13:27:29Z")
Very true, **robinh**. Skip the cornstarch ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-bodily-fact-112395-my-butt-itches-diabetes/169954/16 "2003-04-22T15:35:27Z")
Oh great. Now I have to start asking people about their use of alcohol-containing anal wipes? ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-bodily-fact-112395-my-butt-itches-diabetes/169954/17 "2003-04-22T17:07:01Z")
I had a case of 'rhoids that caused this symptom, they were internal so they weren’t obvious, a couple of days on prescription suppositories worked miracles. But as you can see from **Qagdop** ’s list, the only way to find out for sure is to see a doc. ---
**Author:** ![clayton\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-bodily-fact-112395-my-butt-itches-diabetes/169954/18 "2003-04-22T17:49:46Z")
Kinda embarassed to start a thread topic on it but… a little bit related. In my left armpit I have this pain and this spot that is a little denser (not a lump) under the skin. It hurts like hell sometime, I once had something like it in my earlobe (over a couple of years it eventually subsided, came back, then subsided again). Is it anything I should be worried about?