Why Do I Have Burning on My Anus?

We can have a good idea about the cause of anal pain by looking at the type of pain, when it occurs and its duration. If we feel burning on the anus while pooping, this is likely due to an anal fissure.

Anal fissures are a tear or a wound in the anal canal leading to the rectum. Such tears and fissures occur due to the mucus membrane being stretched too far or irritated. This can be due to passing something sharp while defecating, a particularly large bowel movement or even wiping too forcefully. Both constipation and prolonged diarrhea can be factors in creating an anal fissure. It can also be a result of anal sex or insertion, or even due to gastrointestinal problems such as colitis.

While anal fissures usually heal on their own after a week or so, they can persist. They can also ulcerate, resulting in a very painful sensation which can occur even when not defecating. In advanced cases, surgical treatment may be required to repair the fissure.

Hemorrhoids are a practically hidden disease. Although more than 50% of the population over 30 years of age suffer from them, not many will go to the doctor to seek treatment. Technically speaking, we all have hemorrhoids (also known as piles) since they are the submucosal tissue in which the arteries and veins of the anus are located. In their normal state, they act as cushioning for defecation

The problem comes when hemorrhoids become inflamed, swollen or even infected. Swelling occurs when blood flow to that area is interrupted. This will cause them to dilate, increase in size and even emerge from the anal canal. All this causes some very annoying symptoms that can include:

• Burning
• Itching
• Pain
• Bleeding
• Anal discharge

There is no single cause responsible for the appearance of hemorrhoids. More than one pile is usually affected and there are various factors which contribute to their inflammation. These include obesity, straining while defecating, constipation, poor diet or even due to genetic factors such as weakness in the connective tissue. In the following oneHOWTO article, learn how to treat external hemorrhoids.

If you feel a burning sensation in the anus only at the moment of wiping, it can point to its possible cause. When we can feel itching or burning of the rectum, especially when it is touched, it could be due to an infection. These include fungal infections such as candidiasis. The infection could be of bacterial origin, as occurs with certain sexually transmitted infections, e.g. gonorrhea or syphilis.

Other symptoms and signs of infection will depend on the underlying cause. If you think you may have any sort of anal infection, speak to your doctor. Bacterial infections will likely be treated with antibiotics.

Learn more about how to avoid one STI in particular by looking at how syphilis is spread.

In addition to those already mentioned, there are other pathologies that can lead to itching and a burning sensation in the anus:

• Proctitis is the the inflammation of the anus, a condition caused by the contact of harmful substances in the rectum or by some type of infection. In addition to burning, other symptoms are constipation, pain and the appearance of bloody stools.
• Diseases such as irritable bowel disease (IBS) or Crohn's disease, as well as other gastrointestinal diseases that cause diarrhea, can result in anal burning. This burning is due to the fact the stool you pass is too acidic, which is why the mucosa of the anus is irritated. In turn, this results in symptoms such as burning and pain.
• Some skin conditions can cause itching and burning in the anus. For example, if you do not clean the anal area correctly, there may be irritations that manifest in this way. The same happens with some allergies to a product such as soap or underwear material.

There are many different types of allergies which affect us in varying ways. Learn more with our guide on how to treat allergy symptoms with home remedies.

First of all, you need to visit a doctor so that they can clarify the exact cause that is resulting in anal discomfort. They will need to treat the underlying problem. For example, bacterial disease will be treated with antibiotics and anal fissures may require surgery. However, in most cases, we can best help relieve the symptom of a burning sensation. You can relieve anal burning sensation with the following:

• Take baths with warm water and baking soda.
• After going to the bathroom, cover your anus with moist gauze or toilet paper.
• Change your eating habits to prevent the appearance of hard stools.
• If you suffer from painful defecation over a prolonged period, you should consult a doctor. It may be the symptom of a disease or you may require dietary changes.
• The same should be done if at any time blood appears in the stool.

You will need to make sure you visit a doctor when you experience burning on the anus:

• If the itching in the anus lasts for more than two weeks.
• If it is a chronic burning.
• If the burning sensation is very strong.

Since proper hygiene is important to maintaining anal health, check out our guide on how to ensure you clean your anus properly.

This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to Why Do I Have Burning on My Anus?, we recommend you visit our Diseases & secondary effects category.