Читать книгу The Good Gut Guide: Help for IBS, Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis, Food Allergies and Other Gut Problems - Stephanie Zinser - Страница 44

The skin around our anus is sensitive – one only has to see what happens to a baby whose nappy has been left unchanged for even a little while to see how sensitive it is. When we get diarrhoea, the resulting faeces are generally more acidic than a normal stool, so it’s quite normal for our skin to get sore. And sore skin can get itchy.

Children are prone to getting an ‘itchy bum’ because they’re not always careful to wipe themselves properly after going to the loo. Itching isn’t always caused by lapses in hygiene, although if you have a bowel problem – perhaps IBS, haemorrhoids or an anal fissure – being scrupulously clean is even more important.

In children, the commonest cause of an itchy bottom is threadworm infection, while among adults it is most often due to haemorrhoids or pruritus ani. Eczema and excessive sweating can also cause an itchy bottom (it’s also common for people to get dry, itchy and sensitive skin as they get older). Proctitis and anal fissures may also cause this irritating symptom, as can anal cancer – though this is very rare.