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Soreness due to diarrhoea: Creams designed for nappy rash, like Sudocrem, can help. Make sure that your hygiene is scrupulous. Wash the area after every attack of diarrhoea (bidets are helpful), or if you’re at work, carry a travel pack of moist toilet wipes with you. Gently pat the skin dry after washing, and apply cream.

Clothing: Wear loose, cotton underwear to prevent chafing and overheating.

Diet: Spicy food can irritate the back passage, especially if it’s trying to heal from an infection or sore. Avoid strong spicy foods like curries, hot peppers and chillies.

Avoid constipation: Constipation makes you strain to pass a stool and will aggravate (or even cause) problems like haemorrhoids and anal fissures. Haemorrhoids and fissures both cause intense pain in the back passage.

Anal fissures: These ‘splits’ in the skin can be treated using olive oil (to relieve pain), tea tree oil (to promote healing and discourage infection – beware, it may sting at first), or fresh lemon juice (to dull the pain, although it may also sting when you first apply it).

Haemorrhoids: Witch hazel compresses applied to an affected (external) area can reduce swelling and inflammation. Herbal pilewort ointment may be applied 2–3 times a day. Using a bidet with cold water may also help reduce haemorrhoid swellings. Medicinal preparations like Anusol are very effective at reducing haemorrhoid inflammation and easing pain.

Acute pain: This can be helped by sitting on a rubber ring, or on a ring made using a towel rolled into a circle. This will help take the pressure off a sore anus or rectum when you are sitting.

Alternative treatments: Colonic irrigation, while popular with many, should be avoided if there is any problem with the back passage. The same advice applies to anal intercourse or the insertion of foreign objects into the back passage.

Further Information: Self-care on familydoctor.org, http://familydoctor.org/flowcharts/527.html