** Thanks for contacting with your health query 1. Pruritus ani refers to itching around the anus and is relatively a common complaint and since most often there are secondary causes of the same thus one has to exclude them, like: - poor hygiene, use of skin irritants [soap], food irritants [tomatoes, spicy food, chocolates, nuts, dairy products, coffee,citrus fruits] - any ano rectal condition: piles, anal fistula, fissure - any associated skin condition: psoriasis, dermatitis, scabies - any infection: parasitic [ pinworm infection at night] or sexually transmitted PS. check with a General Surgeon to exclude these condition with relevant examination [physical examination, inspection and digital rectal examination] and investigations 2. In between do check with baseline investigations to exclude any systemic cause of the same, like: fasting blood sugar [for diabetes[, liver function test [LFT for liver disease], Thyroid function test [TFT for thyroid problem], complete blood cytology [CBC for any blood disorder], and Autoimmune markers 3. Till you are provided with specific treatment and management plan, following self care is useful in prevention of itch rectum: - avoid spicy food and maintain a regular bowel habit - avoid medicated/perfumed/deodorant soaps - use moist toilet tissue instead of paper - wear loose/cotton under garments which doesn t trap sweat - fingernails should be kept short and intense itching should be soothed with cool water on cotton balls - you can apply OTC [over the counter] soothing ointment which contains Zinc oxide while anal condition may need surgical treatment other medical causes can be benefited with treatment directed towards the cause