Q: Hi, Doctor. I want to know what causes the anus to itch and what can someone do to relieve the itching?

A: I watched a comedy skit once where a lady sat on the floor and shuffled forward in a rather embarrassing way because she had an itch on her bottom! That was funny to watch but in real life, would have been downright embarrassing for both the person with the problem and the person watching.

Anal itch is itching in and around the anus and could be due to:

• Infections: These could be bacterial (streptococcal or staphylococcal, fungal (the organism responsible for candidiasis), parasitic (due to worms like thread worms or even scabies), viral or due to sexually transmitted infections.
• Personal care products: Using products that irritate the skin eg perfumes, toilet paper etc
• Skin conditions like psoriasis
• Other medical conditions like haemorrhoids, long term diarrhea, long term…