Can children get piles?

[sadnog]

My DS (now 11) has a history of a regular itchy bottom, over which he becomes extremely upset and irritated. He had worms as a toddler and so every time he complained of an itchy bottom I automatically assumed it was worms and gave him wormer. However it was becoming a regular occurence, usually after he had been to the toilet and I refuse to believe a child can get worms that often. About 12 months ago I noticed that DS was soiling his boxers and became quite smelly most days. I tried to talk to him about it and explain it wasn't very nice but he would just get stroppy and say that he didn't want to go to the toilet because it would make his bottom itch. I was embarrassed for him as I'm sure his friends at school must have noticed the smell. I eventually managed to talk to him and he said he hadn't been to the toilet for ages. I tried some mild laxative to no avail so took him to GP who prescribed Movical. It took a while but eventually worked and I then had a chat with DS about trying to go to the toilet regularly and that we didn't want to go back to dirty boxers (which he would regularly stuff dwon the back of the radiator in his bedroom!). DS was fine and no more soiled boxers until about 2 months ago when DS started complaining of an itchy bottom again and yesterday he told me he hadn't been to the toilet for a while. When I asked why, he said that it was because when he did go it made his bum itch so he had been holding it in. Am I wrong in thinking that the itching may be caused by piles? Any advice anyone?

[GrimbleTheResourceful]

Don't know about piles but I do know that DS, 9.5, finds it very hard to wipe his bottom effectively, always has poo-ey pants and sometimes gets itchy.

Does he find it hard to wipe his bottom, I wonder?

[ChopsTheDuck]

I've had this problem with dd, and I'm sure it was caused by piles. She actually had a little bleeding too. I got some mild laxative from the pharmacy and gave her that for a while to soften her stools and it all cleared up.
She also started putting off going to the toilet, so would end up more and more constipated.

[morningpaper]

Look up anal fissures in children

Sounds like it might be that - it does feel awfully itchy BUT holding it in will make it worse because it will result in bigger harder poos which will tear more

Look it up and talk to your son about it and see if you can improve his diet if necessary and also use a bit of vaseline on his bum (maybe after his bath?) which might help

[sadnog]

Thanks. I have tried telling DS that holding it in will make it worse but he really hates it when his bottom does itch. He can get hysterical and I feel awful cos I can't help make it better. Out of desperation one evening I gave him some Anusol, (which I keep as I sometimes have flare ups)and he said that helped, which is what made me wonder if it was piles.

[cutekids]

hi...i know this is an old thread but i've just started one of my own about my son.did your son have piles in the end?