Digestive Health More Digestive Diseases Why Does It Burn When I Poop? Pain during a bowel movement is common but shouldn't be ignored By Amber J. Tresca Amber J. Tresca Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Amber J. Tresca is a freelance writer and speaker who covers digestive conditions, including IBD. She was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at age 16. Learn about our editorial process Updated on May 01, 2023 Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH LinkedIn Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH, is board-certified in gastroentrology. He is the vice chair for ambulatory services for the department of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, where he is also a professor. He was the founding editor and co-editor in chief of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Why Does It Burn When I Poop? Possible Causes When to See a Provider Prevention Frequently Asked Questions If you have ever had a bout of severe diarrhea or eaten too many spicy foods, you may have experienced a burning sensation in your anus while pooping. These aren't the only causes, though. Sometimes, burning in your anus while pooping can be a sign of a more serious medical condition. If you only experience this occasionally, you probably don't need to be concerned. But if you regularly experience burning during bowel movements, or you are also having other unusual symptoms, you should see a healthcare provider to find a possible cause. This article will discuss the potential reasons for burning while pooping, when to see a healthcare provider, and how it might be treated. ferlistockphoto / Getty Images Why Does It Burn When I Poop? Possible Causes There are several reasons for a burning sensation while pooping. Fortunately, most of the time, these causes are treatable. Diarrhea Diarrhea is loose, watery stool that may occur several times a day. Diarrhea might cause burning and pain, especially if the skin around the anus (the perianal area) becomes irritated. Symptoms of diarrhea can include: Abdominal pain or crampingGoing to the toilet more frequentlyStools that are loose or watery Diarrhea is common and could happen for many reasons, such as an infection, food poisoning, before/during a menstrual period, a change in diet, or a stressful event. It may be possible to treat diarrhea at home. This can include: Avoiding foods that could worsen diarrhea (such as fried foods or greasy foods)Drinking enough waterOTC diarrhea medications When diarrhea goes on for longer than three days or there are symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, or bloody stools, it may be time to see a healthcare provider. They may do testing to look for the cause, which could be a virus or bacterium, or a more long-lasting reason. How Diarrhea Is Treated Anal Tear A tear in the skin of the anal canal (called an anal fissure) can be painful and cause a burning sensation while having a bowel movement. The tear can happen while straining to have a bowel movement or passing a hard stool. There are also other reasons and risk factors for anal fissures, and they tend to be common in children. The symptoms of an anal fissure can include: Bleeding from the rectum, the muscular tube that connects the colon to the anusPain or burning during bowel movementsPain or tenderness in the anal areaPain that may last for hours after a bowel movement Treating an anal fissure attempts to relieve the pain and burning while the fissure heals. It can also include treating the reason for the fissure, such as constipation. At-home remedies can include: Adding Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) to a regular bath or a sitz bath Avoiding wiping after a bowel movement but instead using a bidet or a peri bottle Taking stool softeners to make stools easier to pass Using a sitz bath Anal fissures are common and they usually heal with treatments at home and don’t happen again. Seeing a healthcare provider when there is pain while having a bowel movement is important for diagnosing an anal fissure as the cause and getting treatment. Blood in or on the stool is also a reason to see a healthcare provider and to discover that is from an anal tear and not another cause. Home Remedies for Anal Fissures Cancer Colon cancer and rectal cancer begin with growths on the inner wall of the intestine called polyps. Polyps can grow large and become cancerous. They also may bleed, cause a blockage in the intestine, or grow into other organs. Pain during a bowel movement can occur with colon or rectal cancer. It may be more common in rectal cancer. The symptoms of colon and rectal cancer can include: Anal dischargeBlood in or on the stoolsChange in bowel habits (pooping more or less frequently)ConstipationDiarrheaFatigueGrowths in the anal canalPain, irritation, or itching in the anal areaUnintended weight loss Treatments for colon and rectal cancer can include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy. The way the cancer is treated will be tailored to each person, the type of cancer they have, and the stage/extent. Some people may be concerned that burning while pooping is automatically colon cancer. While it can be a symptom, cancer is not the most common reason. One of the many reasons to see a healthcare provider about burning while pooping is to rule out more serious causes, such as cancer. How Colon Cancer Is Treated Inflammatory Bowel Disease The inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD, including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and indeterminate colitis) are immune-mediated conditions that cause inflammation in the digestive system and other areas of the body. IBD may cause diarrhea and/or constipation, depending on how the disease is expressing itself. There are many symptoms of IBD, which can include: Abdominal pain and cramps Bloating Diarrhea Lack of appetite Mouth sores Mucus in the stool Nausea Rectal bleeding Stomach pain Unintended weight loss Urgent bowel movements Diarrhea, constipation, fissures, and abscesses (walled-off pockets of infection and pus) could all lead to pain while having a bowel movement. For IBD, the goal is to get underlying inflammation under control. This will help prevent complications and some of the symptoms that occur with IBD. Treatments include medication, lifestyle changes, and complementary therapies. People with IBD should contact a healthcare provider when they notice new symptoms or when symptoms get worse. There could be a need to change medications, increase the dosage or frequency of current medications, or add another medication. IBD is a lifelong condition, so it’s important to see a gastroenterologist (a specialist in conditions of the digestive system), visiting them on a regular basis, usually yearly or twice yearly when doing well. How Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Is Treated Hemorrhoids Hemorrhoids are a common condition that can lead to pain while going to the bathroom. However, some people with hemorrhoids have no pain. Hemorrhoids occur when the veins in the rectum and/or the anus become swollen and painful. They can bleed and cause discomfort, especially when having a bowel movement or when wiping. Typical symptoms of hemorrhoids are: Bleeding (blood might be seen on the toilet paper or the stool)Feeling as though there is “something” in the anus or rectumItching in or around the anusPain in or around the anusPain while having a bowel movementRectal pain Treating hemorrhoids begins with home and over-the-counter (OTC) remedies to reduce the swelling and the pain. Some of the ways that they may be treated include: Avoiding wiping after a bowel movement but instead using a peri bottle (a water-filled squirt bottle designed to reach the perianal area) or a bidet (a bathroom fixture or toilet attachment that sprays water on the perianal area) OTC creams or ointments to reduce swelling and pain Treating any underlying diarrhea or constipation Using sitz baths (sitting in a shallow pan of warm water for 10 or more minutes) Using medicated wipes or witch hazel after bowel movements When hemorrhoids don’t respond to any at-home treatments or there is significant pain, blood, or other symptoms, it’s time to see a healthcare provider. They may prescribe stronger creams or ointments than those that are available over the counter or offer other treatment options, such as surgery, if needed. How Hemorrhoids Are Treated Proctitis Proctitis is inflammation in the lining of the rectum. Proctitis can be caused by: Inflammatory bowel disease, specifically Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitisSexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, and genital herpesFood poisoning, including Salmonella, Shigella, and Campylobacter infectionsClostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection, which may be related to antibiotic use Cramping and pain in your anus, rectum, or on the left side of your abdomen are common symptoms of proctitis that may occur while you are pooping. Other symptoms may include: Constantly feeling like you need to have a bowel movementDiarrhea or constipationBlood in your poop, which may appear bright to dark red or blackRectal bleedingMucus or pus in your stool Since proctitis occurs as a symptom of another underlying condition, it tends to get better once the underlying condition is resolved. If you pass blood, mucus, or pus during a bowel movement or experience severe abdominal pain, be sure to see a healthcare provider right away. Diet Spicy, acidic foods are one of the most common causes of a burning sensation in your anus while pooping. If your anus burns while you poop, consider what you have been eating. Chilies are one such food that can result in burning. Chilies contain a chemical called capsaicin. Once consumed, capsaicin binds to pain receptors called TRPV1s, which are found all throughout your body, including your anus. TRPV1 is responsible for telling your brain to feel a burning sensation. Most of the time, your digestive system will digest the capsaicin long before it reaches your anus. But on occasion, some capsaicin may not fully digest, causing your anus to burn as you have a bowel movement. Other acidic foods to watch out for include: Lemon and limePomegranatePineappleBlueberriesRaw garlic and onionsCurry and cloves If you have recently eaten spicy or acidic food and are experiencing some anal burning, you probably don't need to be concerned. Just try to avoid spicy foods until the burning resolves and drink plenty of water to help your digestive system pass the food. When to See a Healthcare Provider An occasional change in bowel habits is common and not usually serious. Adults and children will have diarrhea or constipation every so often. However, there are some signs that are a reason to see a healthcare provider. Some of the reasons to see a healthcare provider about pain in the anus or with a bowel movement include: Black or tarry stools Bloody stools Constipation that is ongoing (chronic) Diarrhea that goes on for three days or more Lumps or bumps in or around the anus Severe abdominal pain or cramps Prevention While you may not always be able to prevent burning in your anus when you poop, there are a few extra steps you can take to reduce your risk. If you do happen to enjoy spicy foods, keep in mind that you may occasionally experience a burning sensation in your anus when passing stool. If spicy foods are non-negotiable, you may find that combining them with some starch such as bread or rice helps reduce irritation. To help prevent anal tears and hemorrhoids, it's important to drink lots of water and include plenty of fiber-rich foods in your diet, such as beans, raspberries, broccoli, and nuts. Eating fiber softens and adds bulk to stools, making them easier to pass and preventing constipation so there is no straining during bowel movements. Finally, to lower your chances of colorectal cancer, it's important to have regular colorectal cancer screenings beginning at age 45. Additionally, avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol consumption, getting regular exercise, managing your weight, and eating a healthy diet can all help reduce your risk. Why Eating Spicy Food Can Give You Diarrhea Summary There are many common and treatable reasons for burning or pain while pooping, including constipation, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, and anal tears. If the pain is persistent or is occurring along with other symptoms, especially bleeding, see a healthcare provider to get a diagnosis and treatment. Frequently Asked Questions Is it normal for diarrhea to burn? Diarrhea itself is not normal, though it is common and can come on for many reasons. It may or may not cause pain or burning. Diarrhea is stool that is moving too quickly through the intestines. You may also feel burning due to irritation of the skin around the anus caused by increased wiping after defecation. What does IBS poop look like? Normal bowel movements are on a spectrum of shapes and sizes. Constipation and diarrhea are on either end of this spectrum and are considered to be outside of what is healthy.Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can cause both diarrhea and constipation, so there is no single type of “IBS stool." A healthcare provider can go over the different types of stool, maybe using the Bristol Stool Chart to help you to understand. Does pooping with a hemorrhoid hurt? Some hemorrhoids don’t cause any pain but others can be quite painful. Diarrhea or constipation can add to the pain. The pain may be worse during a bowel movement, but it may also hurt at other times, such as when sitting. Pain from hemorrhoids may also last for some time after a bowel movement. 10 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. Colon and Rectal Surgery Associates. Anal itching (pruritis ani). Schiller LR, Pardi DS, Sellin JH. Chronic diarrhea: Diagnosis and management. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2017;15:182-193.e3. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2016.07.028. Rao SSC, Tetangco EP. Anorectal disorders: An update. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2020;54:606-613. doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000001348 Holtedahl K, Borgquist L, Donker GA, et al. 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Six ways to lower your risk for colorectal cancer. By Amber J. Tresca Amber J. Tresca is a freelance writer and speaker who covers digestive conditions, including IBD. She was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at age 16. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit