"the Itch I Don't Want To Talk About" Anal Itching

[seeking-wholeness]

Jan,

I know what you mean about the itching! I have used Desitin on it as well, or Vaseline, when I am desperate. Do you have gas at the same time you have the itching? I do. I think what happens for me is that I pass gas PLUS a tiny bit of fecal material, which then takes up residence on my anal sphincter and makes me ITCH! I find that using wet toilet paper (a disposable baby-type wipe or a witch-hazel hemorrhoid pad would be even better) to clean my bottom THOROUGHLY works wonders and doesn't require drugs or somewhat messy creams. I always make sure to dry myself off afterward, too, to avoid a diaper-rash effect!

I hope this helps!

--Sarah

[aball882000]

BOY am i glad someone else brought this up! I thought i was crazy and had cleanliness issues...im gonna try this and hope it works. Thanks

[Guest aramgard]

Try the small baby wipes, without fragrance. Works great. Shirley

[Guest pear_fairy]

ACK I get this too! It just seems so gross and disgusting! I mean it doesn't seem like it, it is! Mine went away but now last couple days got the moistness and itchiness back ewwwwwww! Dh thought I was nuts when I asked if he ever had clear slime from his rear when he wiped. So guess I am just the special one to get it ha ha. YUCK.

[outthere39]

I have to chime in on this one as well. Mine lasted for 2-3 months. Talk about embarrasing. Sitting down was such an issue. I really looked closely at my diet to see what I was eating. Mine started when I was began taking a vitamin that ended up not being gluten free. I cannot even say mine is completely 100% gone, sometimes, especially after walking a lot, I get a reminder.

-richard

[chipsnsalsa]

I am a 40 year old man and was diagnosed about one and a half years ago. My primary symptom was anemia due to my villi not absorbing iron. After about 6 months on the gluten-free diet my iron level became normalized.

The only side affect I seem to have from the gluten-free diet is anal itching and I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced the same thing, and if so, what they've done about it.

I've been to the doctor and he can't find any reason for the itching. I've tried various remedies, but they only mask the symptom temporarily. I'd like to find the cause and address it. I've tried taking some things out of my diet, but none turned out to be the culprit (there are many more I could try).

I'm thinking one of the alternative gluten-free flours or grains may be the culprit. Or, I'm thinking that because my villi are now absorbing nutrients like they should, perhaps I'm now sensitive to a food or drink that I wasn't sensitive to when my villi were damaged (e.g. drinks with caffeine).

I'm hoping to benefit from a fellow celiac's experiences. Is anyone experiencing this now or have you in the past? Any help would be appreciated.

[countrynurse]

I'm new here, just heard about this place. I too have this embarassing problem. I have been using an item called BUTT PASTE (yea that's really the name of it) It's tanish in color though but doesn't stain. Wipes off eaiser then Desitin, and soothes. But I really can't help with the WHY of this question, I am still now just in the diagnosis stages of this thing and haven't the knowledge for that.

[chipsnsalsa]

Thanks Countrynurse. I use a product called Assuage "for the unmentionable itch." Why is it the names for these products have to make things worse! It works fairly well, but I am looking for the cause.

[judy04]

Hi,

I don't have this problem but my husband does. I wish he would get

tested but I think, that he thinks , that he couldn't stay on the diet.

Anyway as a nurse I know about Balmex, usually for babies, but

it has worked wonders on hubby, he doesn't go a day without it.

Hope this helps someone....

[oreyes]

I too am a nurse and have always used zinc oxide, which is a product that is in many anal ointments. I used it on my children when they were babies to prevent diaper rash. My father had a lot of trouble with "anal itch" and hemorrhiods. He felt it was a life saver to him.

This is just another suggestions because I know there are many things on the market today that will work................Judy

[Connie R-E]

Alright, when I eat a food I'm allergic to (soy, specifically) I get the "itchy butt".

I have to be completely soy free to notice it.

Anybody else notice it happening with a certain food? I think it is a food allergy symptom.

Connie

[PETES]

Balmex helps me too but doesn't address the cause. I think it is either stool leakage or more probably excess bile salts in the stool that are irritating. I think the best strategy is to bulk up the stool with fiber or absorb the bile salts with questran. Unfortunately questran seems to irritate my GERD. Always something

[SofiEmiMom]

For me it was an allergy symptom. I had a terrible reaction to an antibiotic where I broke out in an itchy rash. My anus, however, was the absolute worst, itchy place! I coudn't believe it.

I'm laughing, I never thought I would post something like this...

[erica]

I am so relieved to know I am not the only one. I am on my computer looking for answers at 2 am b/c I can't stand the itching anymore. I have tried warms baths, tucks pads, every anti itch cream on the market and suppositories. At first, they worked for a few hours at a time. Now they work for about 5 minutes before the itching comes back. I am on my last nerve.... I think mine started when my Dr. put me back on gluten b/c my test results came back inconclusive. He wants me to eat it for 3 months so I can then hae an endoscopy. I am at month 2 and all my old symptoms are back. But this butt itch is a new symptom and it keeps me up at night!

[laurie-carr]

I am so relieved to know I am not the only one. I am on my computer looking for answers at 2 am b/c I can't stand the itching anymore. I have tried warms baths, tucks pads, every anti itch cream on the market and suppositories. At first, they worked for a few hours at a time. Now they work for about 5 minutes before the itching comes back. I am on my last nerve.... I think mine started when my Dr. put me back on gluten b/c my test results came back inconclusive. He wants me to eat it for 3 months so I can then hae an endoscopy. I am at month 2 and all my old symptoms are back. But this butt itch is a new symptom and it keeps me up at night!

[laurie-carr]

I am 100% on board with everyone....I too am up all night. My doc had to examine me (very embaressing). He didnt say that it was from celiac disease.....But my celiac disease friends have said that it is part of my DH. I am aware that not all celiac disease people have DH....So I dont know what is going on....but I am loosing my mind....I need Tylenol PM to go to sleep.....HELP!!!!!!!!!

[Billygean]

Celiac is often associated with hard stools that can cause tiny cuts. Cuts itch when they heal and this is what i've always put mine down to. I've only been gluten free for 6 weeks and still have very hard stools.

[TammyK]

Have any of you checked for pinworms? My dd started complaining during the evening hours of itchy-anal. I had a flash-back of a mom telling me the story of her children getting pinworms and what a nuisance they were to their family. I checked, and there it was staring right back at me. You have to be mischevious though to spot them since they hide from light. Pinworms really do itch like crazy and only at night. I have learned about how common they really are.

[stefie444]

Hi all,  I have general itchy butt problem - it's even a slight but very itchy rash at the top part of my buttocks.  This is such a bother and some things work sometimes and then they stop working and I have to try something else.  It went away completely and then I unknowingly ate some glutenized food a couple weeks ago and now I'm dealing with it again.  As for doctors telling you what it's from, they really don't know.  The problem is gluten and likely an acculmulation of other things we eat that have become toxic through genetic modification - like gluten - the chemicals, additives, poisons, hormones and so many things we can't keep up with.  The best we can do is eliminate the gluten and whatever else seems to be a problem; and read labels.  It's really helpful to have a place like this to share these things, because other people don't get it and doctors honestly often don't either.  We just have to experiement and support each other. 

[Deryk]

I'm so glad I found this...i've been dealing with the itch for a couple of months now and have been working with a naturopathic doctor and have not figured it out.  I thought gluten was more of the brain fog/stomach problems.  I was doing better this week with pretty much vegetable/meat diet (but I always wake up with itchiness in the morning).  last night I had chinese (gluten, soy, spices, etc...) and within 30 minutes the eczema on my elbows (a new problem), itchiness in my ears (a new problem) and the bottom issue flared up.  I had a terrible night, getting up several times to put on cream to ease the bottom itchiness.  

So???? This could be due to gluten???

[cyclinglady]

1 hour ago, Deryk said:

I'm so glad I found this...i've been dealing with the itch for a couple of months now and have been working with a naturopathic doctor and have not figured it out.  I thought gluten was more of the brain fog/stomach problems.  I was doing better this week with pretty much vegetable/meat diet (but I always wake up with itchiness in the morning).  last night I had chinese (gluten, soy, spices, etc...) and within 30 minutes the eczema on my elbows (a new problem), itchiness in my ears (a new problem) and the bottom issue flared up.  I had a terrible night, getting up several times to put on cream to ease the bottom itchiness.  

So???? This could be due to gluten???

Who knows?  Could be celiac disease, allergies, food intolerances, etc.  Consider getting tested or learning more about celiac disease.  The University of Chicago has a very good web-site on celiac disease:

http://www.cureceliacdisease.org/medical-professionals/guide/diagnosis

Also consider keeping a food journal.  

Good Luck!

 

[ScottM77]

2 hours ago, Deryk said:

I'm so glad I found this...i've been dealing with the itch for a couple of months now and have been working with a naturopathic doctor and have not figured it out.  I thought gluten was more of the brain fog/stomach problems.  I was doing better this week with pretty much vegetable/meat diet (but I always wake up with itchiness in the morning).  last night I had chinese (gluten, soy, spices, etc...) and within 30 minutes the eczema on my elbows (a new problem), itchiness in my ears (a new problem) and the bottom issue flared up.  I had a terrible night, getting up several times to put on cream to ease the bottom itchiness.  

So???? This could be due to gluten???

I have the same condition Pruritus Ani (itchy butt). I went to see 4 doctors (a GP, 2 Internists, and a dermatologist), but after many test and theories, they had no idea what was wrong with me. I used a bidet and would double wash, half hour apart, to remove all fecal matter. It acted like itching powder. I self tested eliminating foods for a year. I tried everything. 10 years I suffered with this! A short while ago, I happened upon Celiac and Gluten Intolerant, so I tried eliminating gluten. Wow! It worked. My symptoms cleared up. It was great. Then I began using my fiber therapy again, Equate, and although it says "Gluten Free" right beside it, it says (less than 20 ppm gluten) and dextrin (the primary ingredient) is made from wheat. I've had another breakout of itching. You have to be so careful. I'm feeling a bit paranoid.

One added plus, my insomnia is better. I can get back to sleep after waking to use the bathroom at night.

If you need fiber, use flax seed.

[cyclinglady]

15 minutes ago, ScottM77 said:

I have the same condition Pruritus Ani (itchy butt). I went to see 4 doctors (a GP, 2 Internists, and a dermatologist), but after many test and theories, they had no idea what was wrong with me. I used a bidet and would double wash, half hour apart, to remove all fecal matter. It acted like itching powder. I self tested eliminating foods for a year. I tried everything. 10 years I suffered with this! A short while ago, I happened upon Celiac and Gluten Intolerant, so I tried eliminating gluten. Wow! It worked. My symptoms cleared up. It was great. Then I began using my fiber therapy again, Equate, and although it says "Gluten Free" right beside it, it says (less than 20 ppm gluten) and dextrin (the primary ingredient) is made from wheat. I've had another breakout of itching. You have to be so careful. I'm feeling a bit paranoid.

One added plus, my insomnia is better. I can get back to sleep after waking to use the bathroom at night.

If you need fiber, use flax seed.

I am sorry that your doctors were not able to help you!  I am glad that you are doing so well now!  It is hard for many to remain gluten free for life.  It can be done (hubby has been gluten-free for 14 years without a diagnosis) but there are many reasons someone like Deryk should be tested before going gluten free.   Why?  

http://celiacdisease.about.com/od/diagnosingceliacdisease/f/Gluten-Challenge.htm

Welcome to the forum!  

[Palvyre]

Anal itching is a common symptom of malabsorption disorders. I had this for years. I was diagnosed with Celiac 2 years ago now and lactose intolerance. Eliminating those two has resolved the issue. If you are still having a problem after going gluten-free, I would try an elimination diet. The most likely candidate in a newly diagnosed celiac disease patient is lactose intolerance. 

[Shanin]

I have also had this issue. I am currently on a Paleo diet (no grains!!) I find that the anal itching returns anytime I cheat and try eating gluten free grains such as corn, rice, etc.  

Unfortunately, my small children are now experiencing the same issue. I'm hoping they don't need to give up grains too,  giving up gluten was hard enough for them.