Afterburn burning on the anus

When the anus burns: Afterburn

Afterburning is a very uncomfortable, but in most cases rather harmless symptoms. Not infrequently, the burning on the anus caused by a false cleaning or hygiene, with more than a lack of hygiene leads to skin irritation in the anal area. However, illnesses such as hemorrhoidal disease (hemorrhoidal disease), pinworm infection (enterobiasis) or even anal cancer can be the cause of anal burning. A medical check is therefore urgently required, especially in the case of persistent or recurring burning of the anus.

contents

• When the anus burns: Afterburn
• Symptom after burning
• causes
• diagnosis
• Treatment of afterburning
• Treatment hemorrhoids
• Naturopathy with after burning

Symptom after burning

Afterburn describes a burning pain in the region of the anal region, which is often accompanied by visible changes in the appearance of the skin. Thus, for example, irritation caused by exaggerated or incorrect hygiene shows a reddening of the skin, with hemorrhoids the hemorrhoids sometimes appear visibly swollen and so-called anal fissures can be recognized as tears in the area of ​​the anoderm (anal mucous membrane). If those affected give in to the itching, eczema and abscesses can result from the skin injuries. Depending on the triggers, very different concomitant symptoms can be observed, which are then described in more detail in connection with causes.

Painful burning on the anus is extremely unpleasant, but rarely due to more severe diseases. (Image: absolutimages / fotolia.com)

causes

The potential causes of burning after-taste range from certain foods to mechanical irritation (such as rough toilet paper) and allergic reactions (for example, to soap or cream), to fungal infections, hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and pinworm infections. Diseases that are closely related to the metabolism, such as diabetes mellitus or kidney disease, sometimes also cause a burning itch in the anal area. In the worst case burning at the anus can also be a concomitant of a cancerous disease (colorectal carcinoma, anal cancer).

Bad hygiene as a cause of afterburning
Both inadequate and exaggerated hygiene should be mentioned as a possible cause of skin irritation in the anal area, although the complaints in this country are much more often associated with excessive anal hygiene than with too little cleanliness. Excessive contact with the ingredients of soaps and creams, as well as printed, fragrant toilet paper, often causes the sensitive anal mucosa to react with visible changes and increased itching. Mostly allergic processes play a decisive role (contact allergic analgesia).

Burning on the anus can be very uncomfortable. Most of the time, there are harmless reasons, such as insufficient cleaning of the anus after a bowel movement, which can lead to severe itching and burning. (Image: absolutimages - fotolia)

Also, mechanical irritation, for example, rough toilet paper can cause burning. Some manufacturers offer moist toilet paper, which promises a particularly gentle and at the same time thorough cleaning. However, even wet wipes are only conditionally recommended, as they often contain preservatives and fragrances that can lead to an allergic reaction of the skin.

Skin irritations in the area of ​​the anoderm may also be the result of inadequate anal hygiene. The leftover stool remnants trigger inflammatory changes in the skin, which can be accompanied by a painful burning in the anal area.

Hämorridenleiden
One of the most common causes is hemorrhoids. The hemorrhoids (also hemorrhoids) are a strongly perfused, annular vessel cushion, which serves the (fine) closure of the anus or prevents accidental leakage of stool or secretions. With increasing age, the tissue is often weakened, the hemorrhoids appear enlarged and so-called Hämorrhoidalknoten form, which can be seen to the outside. Although the clinical picture of hemorrhoids is relatively widespread and the treatment well-researched, the exact causes of the disease are still unclear. In general, hemorrhoidal nodules are subdivided into different degrees of severity ranging from externally invisible, fully reversible hemorrhoidal nodules to non-reversible, permanently outward knots.

In the case of haemorrhoids, afterburning is due to the decreasing occlusion function of the vascular pad or the consequently permanently exuding secretion. This leads to inflammatory skin changes and the formation of Analekzems, which in turn brings a burning itch in the anal area.

The most striking feature of hemorrhoids is anal bleeding, which becomes visible after bowel movements on the toilet paper. Also bright red traces of blood can show on the surface of the chair. The color of the blood is crucial. While bright red suggests a relationship with haemorrhoidal disease, dark red blood cells are often the result of a serious disease of the internal organs or the digestive tract. In severe hemorrhoid disorders, the hemorrhoidal nodules become clearly visible in the area of ​​the anus.

Burning on the anus may also be a polyetiologic form of hemorrhoidal disease - a symptom of several factors. First of all, the exuding secretion causes an anal eczema, which is then treated with common hemorrhoid remedies, which in turn can cause an allergic reaction due to the contained allergens, which in turn leads to increased itching and burning of the anus.

anal fissures
Anal fissures are tears of the anal mucosa, which can be extremely painful for those affected. Especially during and after a bowel movement, a strong burning of the anus is often seen with an anal fissure. The symptoms are usually caused by extremely hard stool, whereby the Anoderm was already weakened by a loss of elasticity. Also certain sexual practices such as anal intercourse or the anal introduction of vibrators may cause tearing of the anal mucosa and associated anal burning. Due to the pain, those affected have considerable difficulty leaving the chair as usual during stool. Not infrequently, the stool appears due to the spasm of the sphincter in an unusually small diameter. Occasionally also bright red blood residues on the chair or the toilet paper are to be observed.

Viruses, bacteria and fungi as a cause of afterburning
As a cause also infections with viruses, bacteria or fungi are to be considered, whereby in particular the fungal infections (mostly with Candida albicans) represent a quite common trigger of the complaint picture. The infections usually affect the upper layers of the skin and the patient torments - regardless of the location - a violent itchy rash. The skin appears changed, for example, with redness, pustules, blisters or dandruff. Among the bacteria that cause more frequent corresponding infections in the anal area include streptococci and staphylococci. As one of the most common viral infectious diseases that can lead to afterburn, calli warts (caused by human papillomavirus, HPV) should be mentioned. Under certain circumstances, viral, bacterial and mycogenic infections can develop into serious inflammations, which in the worst case lead to blood poisoning.

Pinworm infections
An infection with parasitic pinworms usually leads to a severe itching in the anus, which results from the oviposition of the female pinworm in the vicinity of the anus. The animals living in the intestine leave it to lay their eggs in the anus area.

The strong itching leads to intense scratching, which has several disadvantages: On the one hand, the highly infectious eggs stick to the fingers and can pass on to other people or be taken orally by those affected themselves. On the other hand, scratching causes injuries to the anoderm, which in turn lead to inflammatory processes and increased afterburning. As accompanying symptoms in a severe Madenwurminfektion abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, rectal bleeding and symptoms of appendicitis such as fever, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting can be observed.

Other causes
Various other factors, such as severe anal pout sweating or the ingestion of certain foods, may also play a role in afterburning. Even long cycling or hiking sometimes causes a mechanical irritation of sensitive skin in the anal area, which can lead to skin irritation and burning after. Longer-lasting diarrhea is also a potential trigger of the complaint. Anatomical features such as a so-called Mariske (Analfalte) form another potential cause of afterburning.

In addition, hereditary skin diseases, such as Darier's disease and non-hereditary skin diseases (for example, lichen sclerosus) as a trigger of burning itching in the anal area to be considered. The most serious possible cause of afterburning is cancer, such as anorectal melanoma or anal carcinoma.

diagnosis

On the basis of a detailed survey of the patients on the symptoms, their occurrence and possible connections with the body care or food as well as thorough external examination, causes of after burning such as hemorrhoids, false anal hygiene or anal fissures can usually be clearly diagnosed. A smear followed by a laboratory examination can be used to detect bacterial, viral or mycogenic infections. In case of doubt, a blood test provides important information for the diagnosis of causative systemic diseases. On the basis of the examination of a stool sample a possibly present Madenwurminfektion can be determined. If cancer is suspected, a rectoscopy may be performed and a tissue sample taken for laboratory diagnosis. If the cancer is already well advanced and metastases have formed, ultrasound scans, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are provided to provide clarity.

Treatment of afterburning

First, it is important regardless of the triggers that those affected do not scratch, otherwise the symptoms can be significantly worse. Thereafter, the treatment should always be focused on the causes. Irritation from the use of soap, creams and other care products can be alleviated by avoiding the appropriate products or changing the anal hygiene. Acute signs of inflammation of the skin are often treated locally in conventional medicine with so-called glucocorticoids (colloquially also cortisone), but these bring with them a considerable risk of side effects, especially with prolonged use. They should therefore be replaced by more gentle remedies, such as ointments based on ammonium bituminosulfonate for longer-term therapy needs.

Treatment hemorrhoids

Under (specialist) medical instruction hemorrhoids are usually treatable quite well, whereby a variety of different treatment options can be used. These range from a change in diet (for a softer chair consistency), to the application of certain haemorrhoidal remedies (hemorrhoids) to outpatient or even inpatient interventions. As a basic therapeutic care, hygiene measures to alleviate the skin irritation in the anal area and the reduction of possibly existing excess weight are provided. In addition, those affected should avoid strong pressing when defecating as much as possible.

Common cause of burning and itching are hemorrhoids. Here are the different degrees shown. Picture: Picture Dwarf - fotolia

Whilst outpatient and inpatient measures (sclerotherapy, rubber band ligation and operation of hemorrhoids) clearly demonstrate efficacy against hemorrhoid disorders, no clinical studies to date have scientifically confirmed the effect of the available hemorrhoid remedies. Also, the preparations can at best contribute to relieving the symptoms and achieve no cure. Nevertheless, the use of hemorrhoid remedies is quite common. These are available in various forms, such as suppositories, ointments, creams, mullein or anal tampons, freely available in the pharmacy. However, self-therapy without medical support is strongly discouraged. Afterburning often decreases significantly after use of the hemorrhoidalia, at least in the short term.

Treatment anal fissures
First, an adjustment of the diet is also on the program for the anal fissures in order to achieve a soft stool consistency and to avoid further stress on the torn tissue during bowel movements. A high fiber content and sufficient fluid intake are particularly important here. For acute pain, ointments containing local anesthetic may be used.

Similar recommendations apply to gentle but thorough anal hygiene, as well as hemorrhoid disorders. Although anal fissures are a very annoying symptoms, but they heal with appropriate care usually after a maximum of eight weeks completely, so that the burning on the anus is then disappeared. In some cases, however, with the current treatment methods, no cure, so that under certain circumstances surgery remains the last option.

Treatment of viral, bacterial and mycogenic infections
The treatment of bacterial skin diseases usually occurs through the external application of antibiotic agents applied to affected areas. If these do not show the desired success, the oral use of antibiotics for systemic treatment is also considered. In fungal infections is also an external treatment, but here on the basis of so-called antimycotics. However, the treatment of viral infections is usually much more difficult, since the drugs used here (antivirals, cytostatics, chemical burners and drugs to strengthen the immune system) often do not show the required effectiveness. Despite increased delays in the healing process, however, the viral causes of afterburning are usually successfully treatable or they can be so far alleviated that no more symptoms occur.

Treatment of pinworm infection
The standard treatment for pinworm infection is based on the administration of so-called anthelminthics (wormers), which are designed to kill worms, and strict hygiene requirements to prevent re-oral ingestion. The hygiene measures provide that, for example, several times a day, the underwear is changed, touches with the anal area should be avoided as far as possible and the hands after the toilet and before each meal to be thoroughly cleaned.

The fingernails should also be cut as short as possible so that no eggs of pinworm adhere here. It is also recommended after a bowel movement a thorough cleaning with the hand brush. Ideally, moreover, the bed linen is changed daily and the cleaning of the bed or underwear should be at least 60 degrees, in order to avoid any risk of transmission of pinworms in this way.

Treatment approaches against further triggers of afterburning
Anti-inflammatory and healing-promoting ointments can generally have a very positive effect on (hereditary) skin diseases and contribute to the relief of afterburning. This also applies to anal eczema, which is due to mechanical irritation caused by long cycling or hiking. Other causes of afterburning, such as anatomical features in the form of a Mariske must, however, be surgically removed in an emergency. This also applies to cancers such as anorectal melanoma or anal cancer. If the cancer can not be successfully removed by surgery, radiotherapy is also provided here.

Naturopathy with after burning

Naturopathy offers different starting points for the treatment, whereby here too the therapy always has to be oriented to the causes of the discomfort ... For example, the naturopathic therapy for hemorrhoids uses marigold ointment, extracts of witch hazel (witch hazel) and sitz baths of oak bark extract, chamomile or horsetail. However, according to their holistic approach, other conditions such as constipation or possible acidification of the organism are also considered as potential triggers of hemorrhoids in therapy. Homeopathy uses hemorrhoids in drugs such as witch hazel, aloe, Aesculus, and Nux vomica. If accompanying anal fissures are observed, Ratanhia is used as a homeopathic remedy. Sulfur is also applied on the homeopathic basis against the itching and burning of the anus.

Naturopathy or, in particular, herbal medicine holds a large number of other options ready, which have a positive effect on skin irritations in the anal area and corresponding afterburning. For example, ointments with a combination of arnica, horse chestnuts and calendula can achieve relief from such complaints.

If it is suspected that afterburning may be associated with a possible vitamin deficiency, orthomolecular medicine is also increasingly used, which attempts to remedy the symptoms by administering high-dose vitamin preparations. In order to select the individually suitable method from the large number of naturopathic starting points for the treatment of afterburning, a detailed medical history should be available at the beginning of the naturopathic therapy, which also considers seemingly independent symptoms in order to do justice to their holistic approach. Often, naturopathy, such as in the anatomical features or cancers, but only the possibility of an accompanying therapy. (Fp)
Specialist supervision: Barbara Schindewolf-Lensch (doctor)