Digestive Health Hemorrhoids Why Do Hemorrhoids Itch and What to Do About It By Heather Jones Heather Jones Facebook Twitter Heather M. Jones is a freelance writer with a focus on health, parenting, disability, and feminism. Learn about our editorial process Published on April 20, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Kashif J. Piracha, MD Medically reviewed by Kashif J. Piracha, MD LinkedIn Kashif J. Piracha, MD, is board-certified in internal medicine and nephrology. He has an active clinical practice at Methodist Willowbrook Hospital in Houston, Texas. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Why They Itch Prevention Other Causes Pruritus ani (itchy anus) can be caused by a number of factors, including hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids occur when the veins in the anus and lower rectum become enlarged. Hemorrhoids can be internal or external and can cause symptoms such as itching and bleeding. Read on to learn why hemorrhoids cause itching and what to do about it. RealPeopleGroup / Getty Images Why Do Hemorrhoids Itch? Itching usually occurs with external hemorrhoids or internal hemorrhoids that have prolapsed (come down out of the anus). The itch can be triggered by several factors. Inflammation Hemorrhoids can cause an inflammatory reaction. Swelling can occur with inflammation, which contributes to symptoms like itching. Treatment aimed at suppressing inflammation can help to ease itching and other symptoms like irritation, pain, and bleeding. Rubbing External hemorrhoids are susceptible to contact with things like: Toilet paperWashclothsClothingSkin-to-skin rubbingOther irritants External hemorrhoids can also develop blood clots. These clots usually resolve on their own but may leave behind a skin tag (excess skin), which can itch or become irritated. These skin tags can also make it difficult to practice proper hygiene because they can trap particles of feces. Rubbing of hemorrhoids or skin tags through rough wiping, cleaning, or scratching can hinder healing and make symptoms worse. It's hard not to scratch an itch, but even intense itching generally subsides on its own after five to 10 minutes. Passing Feces Constipation can cause straining that worsens hemorrhoids, while diarrhea can irritate the skin around the anus. Hemorrhoids can also cause fecal leakage, which may irritate the skin in the anal area. Natural Production of Mucus Mucus discharge from the anus can be a symptom of hemorrhoids. As with stool, this mucus can leak out accidentally (particularly when passing gas) and cause irritation and itching. Anal Itching at Night Itching at night can interfere with a good night's sleep. Scratching during sleep can pose a problem when you aren't aware you are doing it. To minimize damage from unintentional scratching, keep your nails trimmed and consider wearing a pair of light, soft, cotton gloves. For some, antihistamines may help. Ask your healthcare provider if this is an option for you. How to Stop Hemorrhoids From Itching In addition to measures to treat hemorrhoids directly, there are ways you can manage the itch. Maintain Good Hygiene Keeping the perianal area (the area around the anus) clean is important, but there can be too much of a good thing. After a bowel movement, gently clean the area with a wet cloth or an unscented baby wipe instead of dry toilet paper. Be careful not to rub or clean aggressively. Keeping the area dry is important too. After cleansing, pat dry. Avoid Scented Soaps Scented and/or dyed soap, wipes, toilet paper, or other products can irritate the sensitive skin around the anus and cause itching, especially if overused or part of a rough cleansing routine. Hydrocortisone Cream Medication such as hydrocortisone can help shrink hemorrhoids, making it easier to keep the area clean. Hydrocortisone can also help relieve inflammation and itching. Topical steroids such as hydrocortisone should be used in low potencies (such as 1% to 2.5% hydrocortisone), and for short periods as they can cause side effects such as epidermal thinning. Check with your healthcare provider before using topical steroids. Sitz Bath A sitz bath (a warm water bath for the buttocks and hips) can be taken using a small plastic tub that fits over the toilet or in a regular bathtub filled with a few inches of water. Regular sitz baths can help relieve itching and irritation. Try 20-minute sessions after each bowel movement two or three times during the day. Make sure to gently but thoroughly dry off afterward. How to Take a Sitz Bath Aloe Vera Gel Aloe vera gel or cream can be helpful for some causes of anal itching, such as psoriasis or anal fissures. Hemorrhoid Suppositories Many hemorrhoid medications are available in suppository form. These are inserted into the anus in the form of regular suppositories or with gauze inserts ("anal tampons"). Use a Bidet A bidet is a separate fixture or toilet attachment used to rinse the perianal and genital areas. It can be used to cleanse after a bowel movement or rinse soap residue. A handheld detachable showerhead or a plastic squeeze bottle filled with water can also serve this purpose. Numbing Creams A cream or ointment that contains lidocaine can be applied to numb the area. Topical Protective Creams and Ointments Topical ointments can help relieve anal itch and protect the skin from irritation. They may include ingredients such as: Witch hazel Zinc oxide Petrolatum Xylocaine Before Starting Treatment Before using topical medications or other hemorrhoid or anti-itch treatments, talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist. If a treatment is not right for you, it can make symptoms worse. Other Causes of Anal Itching In addition to hemorrhoids, anal itching can have many different causes. In fact, many times no cause can be identified at all. Some healthcare professionals use the ITCH acronym to identify the source, which stands for: InfectionsTopical irritantsCutaneous (skin) conditions/cancerHypersensitivity Anal Fissures An anal fissure is a tear in the lining of the anus, often caused by a hard bowel movement. It may cause symptoms such as pain or itching. Fungal Infection Anal itching can be caused by a fungal infection such as a yeast infection. Itch from mild fungal infections may be helped by measures such as good hygiene practices and wearing loose, breathable clothing. Prescription antifungal medications may also help. Over-the-counter antifungal creams are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for rectal usage. Virus Anal warts are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted infection (STI). The warts start as small growths around the anal/genital area, and can grow larger. Anal warts can cause symptoms such as: ItchingBleedingMucus dischargeFeeling like there is a lump in the anal area Genital herpes (another STI) can affect the anal region as well as the genitals. It is caused by the herpes simplex virus. Blisters, lesions, and/or scabs may develop, and the skin may itch, burn, or become irritated. Proctitis Proctitis is inflammation of the rectal lining. It may occur with: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease Certain infections, including some STIs, and food poisoning Radiation therapy Injury to the anus or rectum Side effects of some medications Lack of blood flow to the rectum Psoriasis Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that causes symptoms such as itching. It can occur in the genital and perianal areas. Pests Pinworms (small parasites that can live in the colon and rectum) are more common in children than adults. Many people have no symptoms, but for some the itching can be intense and interfere with sleep. Scabies is a skin condition caused by tiny mites that burrow into the outer layers of the skin. It can also cause itching. Poor Hygiene To little or too much cleaning can cause itching in the perianal area. Keep the area clean, particularly after bowel movements, but go easy. Vigorous hygiene can remove the protective mucus layer around the anus and cause or worsen itching. Sensitivities In addition to contact sensitivities, such as from scented soaps, food sensitivities can also cause anal itching. Some of the common culprits are the "Cs": ColaCoffeeChocolateCitrusCalcium (dairy products) Common Food Allergies That Cause Itching Sweat Buildup Prolonged exposure to moisture around the anus can cause anal itching. Exposure may come from: Sweat Vaginal discharge Loose stools or mucus discharge Moisture can be trapped by tight clothing, fabrics that don't breathe (such as nylon underwear), or skin folds. You can help keep the perianal area dry by: Wearing breathable clothingPutting gauze pads or another absorbent pad in the area to soak up moistureApplying cornstarch powder or Zeasorb (a super absorbent powder) Cancer While a less common cause of anal itching, cancers should be ruled out as a cause of symptoms. Summary Many things can cause an itchy perianal area, including hemorrhoids, hygiene problems, infections, and sensitivities. Rubbing, fecal leakage, and poor hygiene can make the itching worse. Gently keeping the area clean and dry can help soothe itch and irritation. Topical medications and ointments may also help when used under the advice of a healthcare professional. A Word From Verywell Anal itching can be uncomfortable and painful, especially if accompanied by hemorrhoids. If you are experiencing anal itching, talk to your healthcare provider to get a proper diagnosis and see what treatment options are best suited for you. Frequently Asked Questions How long do itchy hemorrhoids last? The itch from hemorrhoids will settle when the hemorrhoids do. In general, symptoms of pruritus ani usually clear up in a few weeks, but can take longer, depending on cause and severity. See your healthcare provider if the itch is persistent. Does a hemorrhoid itching mean it’s healing? Itching can be a symptom of hemorrhoids whether or not they are healing. Abrasions (small cuts, often caused by scratching irritated skin) in the anal area may itch as the skin heals. Do hemorrhoids go away on their own? Hemorrhoids usually clear up on their own within a few days to two weeks, with or without treatment. If symptoms are severe, unresponsive to treatment, or last longer than a week or two, talk to your healthcare provider. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Gas pain? Stool issues? Sign up for the best tips to take care of your stomach. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 18 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. 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