Diseases and Conditions

Anal itching

Causes

Sometimes the cause of anal itching isn't identifiable. Possible causes of anal itching include:

  • Irritants. Fecal incontinence and long-term (chronic) diarrhea can irritate the skin. Or your skin care routine may include products or behaviors that irritate the skin, such as using harsh soaps or moist wipes and washing too aggressively.
  • Infections. These include sexually transmitted infections, pinworms, and yeast infections.
  • Skin conditions. Sometimes anal itching is the result of a specific skin condition, such as psoriasis or contact dermatitis.
  • Other medical conditions. These include diabetes, thyroid disease, hemorrhoids, anal tumors.