EXPERIENCING persistent itching anywhere on the body is never nice.
But when the itchy sensation crops up around your bum it can be even more distressing, anxiety inducing and even humiliating.
GettyThere are lots of reasons why you might have an itch down there[/caption]
Itching – wherever it appears – is a symptom, rather than a condition.
So it’s important you try and identify the cause, in case it’s something serious.
GP Dr Sarah Garsed said experiencing an itchy bum is more common than you might think.
“While many people don’t talk openly about this symptom – usually for fear of embarrassment – experiencing itching of the bum is very common and can be a sign of something as simple as what you ate the night before, or as complicated as infection,” she previously told The Sun.
You should never feel embarrassed to bring up these symptoms with your GP, she explained.
“Believe me, we’ve heard it all before and the good news is, we can help you treat the annoying symptom quickly and effectively before it gets worse,” she added.
Are you experiencing an itchy bum and not sure if you need to visit your GP?
Here Dr Sarah outlines some surprising reasons for an itchy bum, and when to worry.
1. Stress and anxiety
Prolonged periods of stress and anxiety can impact the body in many ways and cause inflammation.
This can cause irritation of the gut and the bum, causing itchiness.
If you are stressed, try ways to reduce your levels of anxiety like exercise, sleep, meditation and controlled breathing.
2. Diabetes
Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes blood sugar (glucose) to become too high.
It’s dubbed a silent killer, due to the fact many people don’t know they’re at risk of type 2, and complications include stroke, heart attack and heart failure.
There are two main types of diabetes:
Type 1 – where the pancreas doesn’t produce any insulin, sufferers are usually born with this
Type 2 – where the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or the body’s cells don’t react to insulin, sufferers usually develop this later in life.
Diabetes, and the poor circulation that often comes with it, can lead to excessive scratching and irritation, and this can often be experienced on the bum.
3. Diet
Lots of foods can irritate the bum or make itching worse.
Spicy foods, citrus fruits and dairy products can cause anal itching.
Drinks that dehydrate you and upset your gut, including coffee, alcohol and high sugar fizzy drinks can all cause an itchy bum.
If you have a diet that includes lots of these, it’s best to remove these one by one, every few days, to help determine which could be causing your itching.
Other causes of itchy bum you need to know
The NHS says there are some other causes of itchy bum that you need to know:
worms
piles
diarrhoea
incontinence
ringworm
STIs (like genital warts)
skin conditions like eczema
side effects of steroid creams
Official guidance states: “It’s unusual for an itchy bottom on its own to be related to something more serious.
“But rarely, it may be a sign of something like anal or bowel cancer, so it’s important to get it checked by a GP.”
Source: NHS
When to seek medical help
If you’ve waited a few days for your symptoms to pass but you’re still experiencing itching, it is worth visiting your GP.
This is especially the case if you experience itching alongside bleeding, experience extreme pain or feel that the itching is seriously impacting your daily life, the expert said.