Rectal Problems

• Dry skin. Products that irritate or cause a skin allergy in the anal area. Examples are over-the-counter anesthetic ointments that end in “caine,” such as benzocaine.

• Hemorrhoids.

• Psoriasis. This is a chronic skin disease. With this, itchy, scaly red patches form on a part of the body.

• Pinworms. These are intestinal parasites. They usually affect children. The anal itching is at night and can be painful.

• A fungal infection.

Treatment

Treatment for rectal problems depends on the cause. Any sign of rectal bleeding should be evaluated by a doctor. This includes blood on toilet paper. Colon cancer should be checked for, despite the person’s age or family history of this disease.

Questions to Ask

Question 1

Do you have any of these problems?

• Bright red blood in the stools (not just on toilet paper) with dizziness, nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath, and/or severe abdominal pain, cramps, and swelling.

• Rectal bleeding is heavy or dark maroon or black in color.

• Rape or sexual abuse has occurred.

• A foreign object is not able to be removed from the rectum.

Get medical care without delay. If symptoms are life threatening go to the ER or call 9-1-1. Don’t call 9-1-1 or use the ER if symptoms do not threaten life. Ask your doctor ahead of time where you should go for a problem that needs prompt care, but not emergency care.

Question 2

Does rectal bleeding occur with any of these conditions?

• Sudden onset of severe and constant pain and a purple-colored hemorrhoid that bleeds easily.

• Bright red blood after an injury, intercourse, or having something put up the rectum.

• Between bowel movements.

• After taking a new medicine or returning from another country.

You should be seen by your doctor for medical advice. Contact your doctor or health care provider to find out how soon you should be seen.

Question 3

Does rectal pain occur with any of these problems?

• The pain is severe or lasts longer than a few days.

• Anal spasms occur after passing stool.

• Diarrhea or mucus discharge.

• Swelling or itching in the anal area.

You should be seen by your doctor for medical advice. Contact your doctor or health care provider to find out how soon you should be seen.

Question 4

Are any of these problems present, especially in a child?

• Small (1/4 to 1/2 inch) white worms in the stools or around the anal area.

• Pain and itching at night.

• Acting cranky. Restless sleep.

Call your doctor or health care provider and state the problem. He or she can decide what you should do.

Question 5

Do rectal pain and/or itching still bother you after using self-care?

Call your doctor or health care provider and state the problem. He or she can decide what you should do.

Use Self-Care / Prevention:

You can probably take care of the problem yourself if you answered NO to all the questions. Use the “Self-Care” measures that are listed. Call your doctor if you don’t feel better soon, though. You may have some other problem.

Self-Care / Prevention

For Anal / Rectal Bleeding

• Don’t lift heavy things.

• Stop taking anti-inflammatory medicines and/or aspirin (unless prescribed and monitored by your doctor).

• Don’t strain to pass stool.

For Anal / Rectal Itching

• Practice good hygiene. Clean the rectal area daily.

• Use an over-the-counter ointment, such as one with zinc oxide or one for hemorrhoids, such as Preparation H. Follow package directions.

• Wear clothes and undergarments that fit loosely.

• Take a warm bath or sitz bath. A sitz bath is a shallow, warm water bath. You can get a sitz bath device from a medical supply company and some drug stores. Then dry the rectal area well. Use talcum powder, as needed.

• Take warm tub baths.

• Lose weight if you are overweight.

• If you are diabetic, keep blood sugar under control.

• For pinworms:

– Check for pinworms in this way: In a dark room, a few hours after bedtime, shine a flashlight on the anus. Pinworms, if present, will go back into the anus when the flashlight is shined on them.

– Wash the hands often.

– Keep fingernails closely trimmed.

– Try to get your child to not suck his thumb and not bite his nails.

– Wash underwear and bed linen in hot soapy water.

– If medication for pinworms is prescribed, use it as directed.

For Rectal Pain

• Take warm baths.

• Use a warm water sitz bath for 15 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day.

• Put towels soaked in warm water on the anal area. Or, apply a cold compress to the painful area, if this helps with the pain. You can buy a sitz bath from a medical supply or drug store.

• Follow measures to prevent constipation.

• Don’t strain to pass stool.

• Keep the rectal area clean.

• Use soft, plain, unscented, two-ply toilet paper. Take your own toilet paper to work or other places that may use harsh paper. Use wet, not dry, toilet paper, if that helps.

• Use an over-the-counter wipe, such as Tucks, after using toilet paper.

• Don’t sit for long periods of time. When you do sit, raise your legs, as often as you can.

• If needed, take an over-the-counter medicine for pain as directed.

This website is not meant to substitute for expert medical advice or treatment. Follow your doctor’s or health care provider’s advice if it differs from what is given in this guide.

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