Puritus Ani for over a year - help!

[mumoftwo1315]

Hi,

I am all new to this.
I have been reading other threads with similar symptoms to me but all seem to be from ages ago, so thought I'd write my own to see if anyone can help who maybe is going through the same.

So last year April time, I started getting an unbearable itchy bum. Plucked up the courage to see a doctor about it and was prescribed a steroid cream which cleared it up by the May.

Then in October the itch came back, I started to treat it with the steroid cream I prescribed back in May but didn't seem to help. Nothing seems to help.
It feels irritated all the time, which tends to be worst at night time, sometimes waking me up.
I've been to see several doctors/nurses who pretty much say they don't know what it is after inserting a finger and stool tests but I am at the point now where it's really getting me down. I barely get a break from it which causes me to obsessively scroll the internet daily and has affected my confidence massively.

I have not had any bleeding but have suffered with IBS symptoms for a long time.

Anyone else been though the same?
Help is much appreciated
Thanks in advance

How old are you, it could be Vaginal Atrophy in which case oestrogen pessaries should knock it on the head

I have the same problem! I am prescribed this (although you can buy it without prescription) and it is truly AMAZING!! (Don't get there one that comes in a bottle, it's totally different)

I forgot to mention that it stops the itch for 10 hours so you don't have to keep re-applying it every few minutes.

I also find that removing the hair around the anus helps to avoid any itchiness caused by hairs. It's tricky so I would suggest sugar paste (YouTube will show you how if not familiar) as it takes much much longer to grow back than shaving

Are you sure it's not worms?

It’s probably worms.
Not just children get them and I speak from experience!

Was going to say worms. If you’ve had work treatment - are you bathing or washing in anything in the evening.

But the recurrence and pattern of itching screams worms to me.

As pp said get rid of the hair around your anus.
Do not use any perfumed products in the bath / shower. No bath bombs, no scented shower gel, no oils etc. Use products for sensitive skin like Sanex.
Use a non perfumed non coloured soap like Simple
I found Canesten good for stopping the itching
Make sure your anus is clean after passing faeces, use a sensitive skin toilet wet wipe if that helps.

@CrotchetyQuaver

How old are you, it could be Vaginal Atrophy in which case oestrogen pessaries should knock it on the head

Thank you so much for replying. I'm 31. I've not heard of this before, so I've just looked it up. I don't really get any vaginal irritation or pain during intercourse. So not sure it's this.

@Alwaysinpain

I forgot to mention that it stops the itch for 10 hours so you don't have to keep re-applying it every few minutes.

I also find that removing the hair around the anus helps to avoid any itchiness caused by hairs. It's tricky so I would suggest sugar paste (YouTube will show you how if not familiar) as it takes much much longer to grow back than shaving

Thank you for replying. I'll try it. I'm sure I tried this before but I'm willing to give anything another go! Does it resolve the problem or just help disguise the itching? How long have you had it, if you don't mind me asking?

Thank you all for replying!
I really appreciate it.

I took worm treatment last year in effort to try and eliminate everything. No one else in my family is suffering so didn't think it would only affect me and no one else and also to stick around this long!!

Have you tried altering your diet or cutting out any irritable foods/drinks? (Ie coffee) I have had this in the past and it's unbearable! I used anal suppositories. I never did pluck up the courage to go to the GP but I did suspect some kind of anal yeast infection.

@Ineedaduvetday

As pp said get rid of the hair around your anus. Do not use any perfumed products in the bath / shower. No bath bombs, no scented shower gel, no oils etc. Use products for sensitive skin like Sanex. Use a non perfumed non coloured soap like Simple I found Canesten good for stopping the itching Make sure your anus is clean after passing faeces, use a sensitive skin toilet wet wipe if that helps.

Thank you for replying.

I did try canesten but didn't seem to help.
It's so hard to know what's best as the last dr I saw said to not use too many creams so I'm trying different creams with a break in between.
It's driving me crazy.

I've swapped to sanex body wash and use water wipes instead of tissue paper.

I'm not sure I have any noticeable hair to remove?

@gigi556

Have you tried altering your diet or cutting out any irritable foods/drinks? (Ie coffee) I have had this in the past and it's unbearable! I used anal suppositories. I never did pluck up the courage to go to the GP but I did suspect some kind of anal yeast infection.

Yes! I actually went to a nutritionist and had an intolerance test which shows up yeast and cows milk as well as wheat so I'm in the process of changing my diet now. Trying to go down the gluten free diet to see if things change. Hoping it resolves all the IBS symptoms along the way!

I seem to be suggesting Celiac to everyone (I am awaiting a gastroscopy to confirm/discard it), but if you also have IBS type symptoms, have you ever been investigated for Celiac?

@Anyonebut

I seem to be suggesting Celiac to everyone (I am awaiting a gastroscopy to confirm/discard it), but if you also have IBS type symptoms, have you ever been investigated for Celiac?

I'm not sure if I have been checked to be honest. I know I had a lot of tests when I started to get IBS symptoms which all came back ok so the dr just said "it must be IBS" I've just googled the symptoms though and looks so interesting, especially tingling in hands and feet as I wake in the night with numb hands and pins and needles.

Celiac is very underdiagnosed, a lot of people have it and have no idea.
If you can, I would suggest trying to get properly tested for it as you have several compatible symptoms (which all sound familiar to me too)
The problem with going gluten free without diagnosis is that it will give you negative celiac test results even if you have CD, so, if you can, get tested first.

@mumoftwo1315 Just relieves the itching. I've had it on & off for years 😕

@mumoftwo1315 Also, you will have hair around the anus - everyone does. Even very fair haired people

I'm not sure I have any noticeable hair to remove?

I agree with Always, there's usually more hair there than people realise.

Also, mine gets worse with excess weight round my middle. I've put a few pounds on in the last few months so have upped my exercise and am more careful about what I eat.

I bet it's threadworms. Take a double dose of Ovex now and in a coouple of weeks time. They are persistant little buggers.

Another thing is cotton underwear. Not tight but a decent fit.

@KatherineJaneway

Another thing is cotton underwear. Not tight but a decent fit.

Hi,

Yes I agree with this and also seems to make a difference with them being white.

Thank you all for your replies.