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What Causes Pain And Itching In Rectum?

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Posted on Mon, 22 Dec 2014
Question: I am 37 years old male, weighing 70 kgs, I am very health conscious. I do not smoke or drink. I am conscious about fitness and exercise every alternative day. I also include a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables in my diet.
Since my profession requires me to write a lot and sit for long hours at the computer table, I joined a gym in October 2013 and was exercising vigorously there every day and within two months started experiencing pain in my rectum. I thought I had piles.
Washing the area with alum dissolved in warm water brought instant relief. So did PILOEASE tablets (Ayurvedic Proprietary medicine), on the suggestions of a family friend.
I stopped going to the gym for about a month or so. There has been no bleeding and no pain in passing stool. Just an irritating itching, that goes away every time I washed my bottom.
Seeking a permanent remedy I visited a doctor in January 2014 and the doctor after a digital rectal exam ruled out piles. There is no protrusion, though the doctor did notice a cut in the rectum.
He prescribed me a single dose of Ivoral. I did not take the medicine, because suddenly there was no problem! And I joined the gym again going every alternative day.
That was then. Things went well for a couple of months.
From September onwards this year, I began going to the gym every day (instead of alternate days) and doing hardcore abdominal exercises. And the problem has reappeared again now from the beginning of this November.
Anovate, prescribed by the doctor in January but never used until now brings me relief.
I did not go to the gym for about 20 days this month and also took ZENTEL 400 some two weeks back. It brought some relief. Doing yogas like Upward Facing Dog, the Bow Pose also brings some relief.
There is still no protrusion, no bleeding. Just a tenderness of the rectum and an irritating itch that sometimes goes away on its own. I experience the itching mostly in the evenings and at bedtimes the most.
I am not taking any medication for this (except for a single dose of Zentel 400 some two weeks back and have not visited any doctor. I am not constipated, since I eat lots of fiber.
Please help. I need permanent remedy.
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Local cleaning, keeping dry and aerated - antibiotic + metronidazole

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear friend.
Thanks for your query and more than that for an elucidate history, making a very clear picture in front of my eyes just by reading and re-reading the history provided by you.

To recapitulate important points: Health conscious 37 year old male- sit at computer table for a long time- vigorous exercises- pain in rectum / (anal region) - various treatments- irritating itch gone with washing bottom- examination - cut in the rectum - got OK- rejoined Gym- reappearance since Nov- Anovate- Zentel - tenderness and itch which increases in the evening and bedtime- not constipated - seeking permanent remedy.

Diagnosis based on your clear history:
This looks to be a case of fissure in ano associated with dermatitis of the skin around the anus.
This is precipitated by long sitting hours, exercises leading to sweating and resultant itching.

I would advise you the following:
- A course of an antibiotic and metronidazole for 5 days as the bacterial infection of the already fissured anal verge and the skin around will be well controlled. These are prescription medications and you will have t discuss using them with your primary doctor.

-Local cleaning with plain water as many times as you can ( if you are working home).
To keep the area dry and exposed to air whenever possible. You can use hair dryer to dry-up the area after cleaning with plain water.

Use lose underclothes and pants.
Very loose clothing / lungi at home.

-Multivitamins help in increasing the integrity of the skin

-Move around after every hour - no continuous sitting.

Continue your good food habits and mild exercises.

I hope this will give you a permanent relief.
Alas, you have to maintain a bit changed life-style.

Please feel free to ask for more if you need to .

Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. T Chandrakant

General Surgeon

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 19777 Questions

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What Causes Pain And Itching In Rectum?

Brief Answer: Local cleaning, keeping dry and aerated - antibiotic + metronidazole Detailed Answer: Hi dear friend. Thanks for your query and more than that for an elucidate history, making a very clear picture in front of my eyes just by reading and re-reading the history provided by you. To recapitulate important points: Health conscious 37 year old male- sit at computer table for a long time- vigorous exercises- pain in rectum / (anal region) - various treatments- irritating itch gone with washing bottom- examination - cut in the rectum - got OK- rejoined Gym- reappearance since Nov- Anovate- Zentel - tenderness and itch which increases in the evening and bedtime- not constipated - seeking permanent remedy. Diagnosis based on your clear history: This looks to be a case of fissure in ano associated with dermatitis of the skin around the anus. This is precipitated by long sitting hours, exercises leading to sweating and resultant itching. I would advise you the following: - A course of an antibiotic and metronidazole for 5 days as the bacterial infection of the already fissured anal verge and the skin around will be well controlled. These are prescription medications and you will have t discuss using them with your primary doctor. -Local cleaning with plain water as many times as you can ( if you are working home). To keep the area dry and exposed to air whenever possible. You can use hair dryer to dry-up the area after cleaning with plain water. Use lose underclothes and pants. Very loose clothing / lungi at home. -Multivitamins help in increasing the integrity of the skin -Move around after every hour - no continuous sitting. Continue your good food habits and mild exercises. I hope this will give you a permanent relief. Alas, you have to maintain a bit changed life-style. Please feel free to ask for more if you need to .