Why Do Hemorrhoids Itch? - Healthline

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Why Do Hemorrhoids Itch?

Medically reviewed by Gerhard Whitworth, R.N. — Written by Scott Frothingham — Updated on March 8, 2019

Causes
Other causes
Treatment
Takeaway

A hemorrhoid may itch because of the mucus produced in your anus, poor hygiene, or dryness due to wipes. Anal itching can also occur with other health conditions, including psoriasis and cancer.

Hemorrhoids — also known as piles — are swollen and distended veins in the anus and lowest part of the rectum.

Hemorrhoids are traditionally associated with prolonged sitting on the toilet combined with straining during bowel movements. Hemorrhoids can be both painful and itchy.

Why do hemorrhoids itch?

Hemorrhoids are either external or internal. External hemorrhoids are found beneath the skin surrounding the anus while internal hemorrhoids are found inside the rectum.

Sometimes straining while using the bathroom pushes an internal hemorrhoid until it protrudes through the anus. When this happens it’s called a prolapsed internal hemorrhoid.

When an internal hemorrhoid prolapses it brings along mucus that can irritate the sensitive area around the anus causing itching. If the hemorrhoid stays prolapsed, mucus production continues and so does the itching.

If stool mixes with the mucus, that combination can make the irritation, and thus the itching, greater.

Other causes of anal itching

Anal itching is also referred to as pruritus ani which could be triggered by a number of conditions aside from hemorrhoids.

These other causes include:

anal fissures
yeast infection
stool leakage
sweat buildup
proctitis
genital warts
herpes
scabies
pinworm infection
hookworm infection
ringworm
body lice
psoriasis
cancer

You could also itch from poor hygiene or needing to do a better job keeping the anal area clean.

Conversely, if you overclean the area you can cause micro tears and cracks — along with dryness from the chemicals in wipes, cleansers, and creams — that can lead to itching.

If your itching is severe and you’re not sure if it’s hemorrhoids, see a doctor for evaluation.

Tips to avoid pruritus ani

Use plain white toilet paper, avoiding the scented or printed varieties.
Avoid chemically treated wipes.
Wipe gently.
Dry the area thoroughly after washing.
Wear loose clothing.
Wear cotton underwear.

Easing the itch

The first step in easing the itch is to stop scratching. Aggressive scratching can further damage the area and make the problem worse.

According to the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, sometimes the desire to scratch is so intense that many people scratch when they sleep. To avoid damaging scratching while sleeping some people wear soft cotton gloves to bed.

The next step is proper hygiene, keeping the area clean with mild, allergen-free soap and water.

After these important primary steps, some ways to reduce or eliminate anal area itching include:

Soaking

A popular home remedy for itchy hemorrhoids is soaking either in a full tub or a sitz bath.

A sitz bath is a shallow basin that fits over your toilet. You can fill it with warm water — not hot — and sit on it, allowing the water to soak your anus. The warmth helps circulation and helps to relax and heal the area around your anus.

This is typically done two times a day.

Some natural healing advocates also suggest adding two to three tablespoons of baking soda or Epsom salts to the water in the sitz bath.

Numbing

To numb the nerve endings and relieve the itch, your doctor might suggest applying cold compresses on your anal area or using an over-the-counter cream or ointment containing hydrocortisone and lidocaine. These can temporarily relieve the itching.

Protection

To reduce the itch, your doctor might recommend a topical protectant to use as a barrier between the irritated skin from further irritants such as stool.

Some products that are recommended to provide protection for perineal skin include:

Desitin
A & D Ointment
Sensi Care
Calmoseptine
Hydraguard

Takeaway

Hemorrhoids can itch, but there may be other causes as well. If the itching is severe, you should seek an evaluation from your doctor.

There are a number of simple and effective ways to deal with the itch yourself, but if it’s a persistent problem that starts negatively impacting the quality of your life, you should talk to your doctor about dealing with the underlying cause as opposed to dealing with the symptom.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.(n.d.). Pruritis ani expanded version.https://www.fascrs.org/patients/disease-condition/pruritis-ani-expanded-version
Costedio M. (2016). Itchy bottom? Why youshouldn’t blame hemorrhoids. /https://health.clevelandclinic.org/itchy-bottom-shouldnt-blame-hemorrhoids
Harvard Medical School. (2018). Hemorrhoids andwhat to do about them.https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/hemorrhoids_and_what_to_do_about_them
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Hemorrhoids.https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hemorrhoids/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20360280
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive andKidney Diseases. (2016). Hemorrhoids.https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/hemorrhoids
University of Michigan Health System.(2013). Anal-rectal skin care.http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/PedSurgery/ColorectalProgram/AnalRectal-SkinCare.pdf

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Medically reviewed by Gerhard Whitworth, R.N. — Written by Scott Frothingham — Updated on March 8, 2019

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