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Pruritus ani

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Pruritus ani is itching around the anus.

Possible causes include:

  • threadworm infection - itching occurs at night and may contribute to the autoinfection of patients with this condition, especially younger patients
  • simple irritancy e.g. faecal soiling, poor hygiene
  • local disorders e.g. haemorrhoids, infection, warts; rarely, neoplasm
  • primary dermatoses e.g. psoriasis, lichen sclerosis, erythrasma
  • diabetes mellitus - predisposing to candidiasis
  • allergy to local anaesthetic
  • use of topical steroids
  • foreign bodies

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