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What Could Cause Pain Just Outside Of My Anus?
Question: Hello,
For the past few days (about a week), I have been having this pain just outside of my anus (on my left side only); there's no blood in my stool (atleast not visible). It hurts particularly when I'm sitting on a chair or toilet, with the cheeks spread, as gross as that sounds. It havent felt around but did have a colonoscopy recently (about 3 weeks ago) and everything was normal. It's not causing anything else like a fever, sweats, or lack of sleep at all.
Wondering if this could be something serious or not.
Thank you
For the past few days (about a week), I have been having this pain just outside of my anus (on my left side only); there's no blood in my stool (atleast not visible). It hurts particularly when I'm sitting on a chair or toilet, with the cheeks spread, as gross as that sounds. It havent felt around but did have a colonoscopy recently (about 3 weeks ago) and everything was normal. It's not causing anything else like a fever, sweats, or lack of sleep at all.
Wondering if this could be something serious or not.
Thank you
Brief Answer:
May not be serious as colonoscopy would have picked up.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Since colonoscopy report was normal done just 3 weeks ago, I do not suspect anything serious.
Your symptoms are suggestive of a small perianal boil or so as per the history you have provided. Something serious should have been noticed during the colonoscopy.
You can please do the following:
Sitz bath in a tub with warm water.
Take an anti-inflammatory like Ibuprofen if it suits you.
If the symptoms persist or increase please consult your Doctor to have a prescription based antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory medications for resolution and avoid further complications as this area is usually under pressure while sitting. This can increase or spread of infection in some cases.
I hope this answers your query. Please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
May not be serious as colonoscopy would have picked up.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Since colonoscopy report was normal done just 3 weeks ago, I do not suspect anything serious.
Your symptoms are suggestive of a small perianal boil or so as per the history you have provided. Something serious should have been noticed during the colonoscopy.
You can please do the following:
Sitz bath in a tub with warm water.
Take an anti-inflammatory like Ibuprofen if it suits you.
If the symptoms persist or increase please consult your Doctor to have a prescription based antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory medications for resolution and avoid further complications as this area is usually under pressure while sitting. This can increase or spread of infection in some cases.
I hope this answers your query. Please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
So I went to an urgent care and they examined the perineal and anal area and didn’t note hemorrhoid or obvious fissure, just that I had raw skin and a likely bacterial infection (she said it was mostly due to the extreme heat here in Arizona).
If I’m on the toilet and bear down, it hurts a bit but the actual bowel emptying doesn’t hurt at all.
I’m just concerned that it won’t get better with the hydrocortisone cream she gave me because I don’t want it to spread and infect a more serious part of my body.
If I may ask one more, is it normal for that area of inflammation to hurt a little bit more after applying the cream (maybe due to the bacteria being killed)?
Thank you!
If I’m on the toilet and bear down, it hurts a bit but the actual bowel emptying doesn’t hurt at all.
I’m just concerned that it won’t get better with the hydrocortisone cream she gave me because I don’t want it to spread and infect a more serious part of my body.
If I may ask one more, is it normal for that area of inflammation to hurt a little bit more after applying the cream (maybe due to the bacteria being killed)?
Thank you!
Brief Answer:
As explained below.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Since your Doctor has said about a raw skin and a likely bacterial infection, local application of liquid Povidone Iodine will be more helpful.
There can be burning or such pain on application of anything locally as there is a raw surface and the nerve-ending are thus open. So no worry.
I would advise a few more things in addition:
Sitz bath or spraying plain water to keep the area clean; make it dry then with a cotton cloth or a hair dryer, then apply Liquid povidone iodine.
I hope you have been some oral medications also.
Avoid hot and humid areas.
Try to use loose underwear and pants to make aeration/ventilation of the affected area.
I hope this answer helps you further.
As explained below.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Since your Doctor has said about a raw skin and a likely bacterial infection, local application of liquid Povidone Iodine will be more helpful.
There can be burning or such pain on application of anything locally as there is a raw surface and the nerve-ending are thus open. So no worry.
I would advise a few more things in addition:
Sitz bath or spraying plain water to keep the area clean; make it dry then with a cotton cloth or a hair dryer, then apply Liquid povidone iodine.
I hope you have been some oral medications also.
Avoid hot and humid areas.
Try to use loose underwear and pants to make aeration/ventilation of the affected area.
I hope this answer helps you further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
She did not prescribe an oral medication. Just a prescription hydrocortisone cream to apply 3 times a day. She also recommended aloe wipes for cleaning I believe? Should I still do the providone iodine with the other prescription she gave me?
Brief Answer:
Povidone iodine kills all bacteria
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Aloe wipes work well.
Basic is local cleaning with plain water and keeping the area dry.
Liquid Povidone Iodine helps to kill all the bacteria that cause infection and spread, hence preferred. It is better to avoid hydrocortisone cream unless there is some allergic component also.
Since you have mentioned about extreme heat in Arizona, the basic cause is usually excessive sweating and/or retention of sweat that instigate the problem.
Take care. Please give feedback about the progress.
Povidone iodine kills all bacteria
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Aloe wipes work well.
Basic is local cleaning with plain water and keeping the area dry.
Liquid Povidone Iodine helps to kill all the bacteria that cause infection and spread, hence preferred. It is better to avoid hydrocortisone cream unless there is some allergic component also.
Since you have mentioned about extreme heat in Arizona, the basic cause is usually excessive sweating and/or retention of sweat that instigate the problem.
Take care. Please give feedback about the progress.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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