Abdominal & Urinary Conditions
The rectum is the lowest part of the large bowel (colon). The opening of the rectum is the anus. Stool are passed from the anus.
Signs & Symptoms
* Rectal pain.
* Rectal bleeding.
* Anal itching.
* Redness, swelling, or a rash in the rectal area.
Causes
Often there is no clear cause. Persons with diabetes and liver disease are more prone to rectal itching.
For Anal / Rectal Pain and/or Bleeding
* Constipation. Straining to pass stool. Hemorrhoids.
* Anal fissures. These are splits or tears in the skin around the anus.
* Polyps or small growths.
* Injury due to anal intercourse or the insertion of a foreign object.
* Blockage in the intestines.
* Colon or rectal cancer.
For Anal / Rectal Itching
* Dry skin. Products that irritate or cause a skin allergy in the anal area. Examples are over-the-counter anesthetic ointments that end in “caine,” such as benzocaine.
* Hemorrhoids.
* Psoriasis. This is a chronic skin disease. With this, itchy, scaly red patches form on a part of the body.
* Pinworms. These are intestinal parasites. They usually affect children. The anal itching is at night and can be painful.
* A fungal infection.
Treatment
Treatment for rectal problems depends on the cause. Any sign of rectal bleeding should be evaluated by a doctor. This includes blood on toilet paper. Colon cancer should be checked for, despite the person’s age or family history of this disease.
Questions to Ask
Self-Care / Prevention
For Anal / Rectal Bleeding
* Don’t lift heavy things.
* Stop taking anti-inflammatory medicines and/or aspirin (unless prescribed and monitored by your doctor).
* Don’t strain to pass stool.
For Anal / Rectal Itching
* Practice good hygiene. Clean the rectal area daily.
* Use an over-the-counter ointment, such as one with zinc oxide or one for hemorrhoids, such as Preparation H. Follow package directions.
* Wear clothes and undergarments that fit loosely.
* Take a warm bath or sitz bath. A sitz bath is a shallow, warm water bath. You can get a sitz bath device from a medical supply company and some drug stores. Then dry the rectal area well. Use talcum powder, as needed.
* Take warm tub baths.
* Lose weight if you are overweight.
* If you are diabetic, keep blood sugar under control.
* For pinworms:
– Check for pinworms in this way: In a dark room, a few hours after bedtime, shine a flashlight on the anus. Pinworms, if present, will go back into the anus when the flashlight is shined on them.
– Wash the hands often.
– Keep fingernails closely trimmed.
– Try to get your child to not suck his thumb and not bite his nails.
– Wash underwear and bed linen in hot soapy water.
– If medication for pinworms is prescribed, use it as directed.
For Rectal Pain
* Take warm baths.
* Use a warm water sitz bath for 15 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day.
* Put towels soaked in warm water on the anal area. Or, apply a cold compress to the painful area, if this helps with the pain. You can buy a sitz bath from a medical supply or drug store.
* Follow measures to prevent constipation.
* Don’t strain to pass stool.
* Keep the rectal area clean.
* Use soft, plain, unscented, two-ply toilet paper. Take your own toilet paper to work or other places that may use harsh paper. Use wet, not dry, toilet paper, if that helps.
* Use an over-the-counter wipe, such as Tucks, after using toilet paper.
* Don’t sit for long periods of time. When you do sit, raise your legs, as often as you can.
* If needed, take an over-the-counter medicine for pain as directed.
© American Institute for Preventive Medicine
