The anus is closed by a ring of muscles called the sphincter. If it's intact the sphincter prevents bowel contents from spilling out. El born area of the is very sensitive, and so even minor conditions here can cause considerable discomfort and reduce your quality of life considerably. The good news is that most conditions affecting the anal region are fairly straightforward to recognize. Here are some of the common conditions:
Anal fissure: If passing stools is painful, you might be suffering from an anal fissure - a small tear in the anus, or from haemorrhoids. Anal fissures may develop after passing a very hard or large stool. Medicines (available from your pharmacist or doctor) for making the faeces softer can assist, but helping your anus to heal and preventing recurrences by eating a diet high in fibre is the greatest way forward.
Anal warts: Warts around your anus are caused by a viral infection of your skin, and can be transmitted intimately. You may only have one or two, or more of these. See your doctor to go over the various treatment options.
Haemorrhoids: Swollen veins around the anus are known as haemorrhoids, or piles, and are extremely common. They often times cause itching, irritation and intermittent bleeding in the back passage and, if present, you might see fresh blood on the toilet paper or even notice it dripping to the toilet pan.
Pharmacists can help you discover available treatments - many over-thecounter preparations are available without prescription. In severe or persistent cases, however, see your doctor to go over the treatment options and to rule out other causes of anal symptoms.
Skin infection: A sore area just above your anus is most likely due to an infected skin pouch (called pilonidal sinus), that is sometimes caused by an in-growing hair or a collection of pus known as an anal abscess. These conditions may heal by themselves or with antibiotics, but often need a surgical procedure to clear the infected area, and so getting your doctor to check on you out is always a good move.
Skin inflammation: Sometimes, the anus may be very itchy and sore with no apparent reason (a condition called pruritus ani). Although resisting might be difficult, try not to scratch if possible. Your pharmacist or doctor can advise you with regard to soothing ointments. Stay away from soapy water to wash your anus and instead just let cool or warm (not hot) water go beyond your back passage. Some people find that wearing cotton underwear reduces the itching.
Threadworms: Itching around the anus and small white threads in your faeces indicate that you've acquired threadworms, either through touching contaminated surfaces, for example toilet seats which haven't been disinfected in a household where someone has threadworms, or from contaminated food. This common infection is harmless and simply treatable with over-the-counter medicine from your pharmacist, or on prescription from your doctor. Usually your whole household need to become treated.
Make sure that you wash your hands carefully after going to the toilet and before you prepare food and clean potentially infected areas with disinfectant.
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