HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

What Causes Pain And Discomfort In The Rectal Area?

Posted on Thu, 21 Apr 2016

Question: I first noticed a little pain in my anus. Then I felt as if the entire area of my anus was sore. Then it became slightly itchy. Then the smell was a lite different. Then it became painful to use the restroom. After about 5 days the soreness is gone and most of all the pain, but I've noticed that it still causes a little pain when I pass stool and there is some mucous on the stool. Mucous is mainly on the end of the stool that first comes out. Also, now I feel as if I have a crawling sensation in my anus. Ideas?

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Rectal tear

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCCM with your health care concerns

I am sorry to hear that you have had some pain and dsicomfort in the rectal area. What you are describing is a rectal tear with mild inflammation and possible infection. This is a common condition caused by a large and difficult to pass stool that tears the rectal area. the skin then gets infected. The infection is causing the burning and the unusual smell. In addition to help protect the area your body is producing more mucous to allow for better wound healing.

To facilitate healing you can do the following things. First and the most important is be sure your stool are soft and easy to pass. Usually using a fiber laxative like metamucil will do. If not then add a stool softener. Second after having a bowel movement use tucks pads to fully clean the rectal area. This will burn but it allows for better cleaning of the rectum and better healing. If these measures don't help then see your medical provider.

In summary
1. Rectal tear with infection
2. Fiber laxative fro easy to pass stools
3. Tucks pads for cleaning and improved healing
4. See provider if no improvement

I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ronald Schubert (1 hour later)

When I first noticed this, the pain felt like a throbbing pain. Like my spincther muscle was tighter or tightening. I suppose more blood was rushing to that area. Nonetheless, I have never had any bleeding from this. Just the pain, muscous, slight smell, and slight itching. All has subsided and is wayyyy better. Just now when I used the restroom, I feel as if my body is taking longer to close up....which could be my fear of the pain. This morning....the pain lasted about an hour after passing stool then it went away. Hopefully I am on the road to recovery. I was worried that it could be internal hemmorhoids at first. The mucous reallllllly scared me as I have never seen that on my stool before.

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Rectal spasms

Detailed Answer:
Yes I agree that you are getting better. You could have had a small tear and that caused enough irritation to cause the rectal spasms. As long as you are getting better this will heal. I still recommend the softer stools and the tucks pads as a way to speed healing. If this does not help I would recommend being seen by your medical provider.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ronald Schubert (2 days later)

Last question. Mucous is decreasing some, and also the regular pain that I have endured has decreased and the smell as well. However, on the right side of my anus, after I use the restroom, there is a dull throbbing ache for about an half hour. After that it goes away. Why would there be a throbbing ache there. And as for the crawling around feeling in my anus in the absence of pain, I'm gathering that that might be liquid moving around as the outside of my anus tends to be slightly more moist than usual. I think it is overall getting better. It has been scary though and gives me a little anxiety. However, you have been helpful. I also think the stool softener makes me have to go to the restroom more. But it works. I have noticed during the stool softener that it appears as if I can see my food not being ALL the way broken completely down.

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (17 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Residual pain

Detailed Answer:
The residual pain is still the healing process going on in your rectal area. For full diagnosis I would recommend that you see your medical provider and possible referral to a GI specialist to fully diagnose your problem. The food particles you are see are the parts of foods that can't be digested usually vegetable matter. This is normal and nothing unusual.

Best wishes

Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar