Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

"the Itch I Don't Want To Talk About" Anal Itching


seeking-wholeness

Recommended Posts

seeking-wholeness Explorer

Jan,

I know what you mean about the itching! I have used Desitin on it as well, or Vaseline, when I am desperate. Do you have gas at the same time you have the itching? I do. I think what happens for me is that I pass gas PLUS a tiny bit of fecal material, which then takes up residence on my anal sphincter and makes me ITCH! I find that using wet toilet paper (a disposable baby-type wipe or a witch-hazel hemorrhoid pad would be even better) to clean my bottom THOROUGHLY works wonders and doesn't require drugs or somewhat messy creams. I always make sure to dry myself off afterward, too, to avoid a diaper-rash effect!

I hope this helps!

--Sarah


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



aball882000 Newbie

BOY am i glad someone else brought this up! I thought i was crazy and had cleanliness issues...im gonna try this and hope it works. Thanks :rolleyes:

Guest aramgard

Try the small baby wipes, without fragrance. Works great. Shirley

  • 2 months later...
Guest pear_fairy

ACK I get this too! It just seems so gross and disgusting! I mean it doesn't seem like it, it is! :P Mine went away but now last couple days got the moistness and itchiness back ewwwwwww! Dh thought I was nuts when I asked if he ever had clear slime from his rear when he wiped. So guess I am just the special one to get it ha ha. YUCK.

outthere39 Rookie

I have to chime in on this one as well. Mine lasted for 2-3 months. Talk about embarrasing. Sitting down was such an issue. I really looked closely at my diet to see what I was eating. Mine started when I was began taking a vitamin that ended up not being gluten free. I cannot even say mine is completely 100% gone, sometimes, especially after walking a lot, I get a reminder.

-richard

  • 3 months later...
chipsnsalsa Newbie

I am a 40 year old man and was diagnosed about one and a half years ago. My primary symptom was anemia due to my villi not absorbing iron. After about 6 months on the gluten-free diet my iron level became normalized.

The only side affect I seem to have from the gluten-free diet is anal itching and I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced the same thing, and if so, what they've done about it.

I've been to the doctor and he can't find any reason for the itching. I've tried various remedies, but they only mask the symptom temporarily. I'd like to find the cause and address it. I've tried taking some things out of my diet, but none turned out to be the culprit (there are many more I could try).

I'm thinking one of the alternative gluten-free flours or grains may be the culprit. Or, I'm thinking that because my villi are now absorbing nutrients like they should, perhaps I'm now sensitive to a food or drink that I wasn't sensitive to when my villi were damaged (e.g. drinks with caffeine).

I'm hoping to benefit from a fellow celiac's experiences. Is anyone experiencing this now or have you in the past? Any help would be appreciated.

countrynurse Newbie

I'm new here, just heard about this place. I too have this embarassing problem. I have been using an item called BUTT PASTE (yea that's really the name of it) It's tanish in color though but doesn't stain. Wipes off eaiser then Desitin, and soothes. But I really can't help with the WHY of this question, I am still now just in the diagnosis stages of this thing and haven't the knowledge for that.


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



chipsnsalsa Newbie

Thanks Countrynurse. I use a product called Assuage "for the unmentionable itch." Why is it the names for these products have to make things worse! It works fairly well, but I am looking for the cause.

judy04 Rookie

Hi,

I don't have this problem but my husband does. I wish he would get

tested but I think, that he thinks , that he couldn't stay on the diet.

Anyway as a nurse I know about Balmex, usually for babies, but

it has worked wonders on hubby, he doesn't go a day without it.

Hope this helps someone.... :rolleyes:

oreyes Newbie

I too am a nurse and have always used zinc oxide, which is a product that is in many anal ointments. I used it on my children when they were babies to prevent diaper rash. My father had a lot of trouble with "anal itch" and hemorrhiods. He felt it was a life saver to him. :)

This is just another suggestions because I know there are many things on the market today that will work................Judy

Connie R-E Apprentice

Alright, when I eat a food I'm allergic to (soy, specifically) I get the "itchy butt".

I have to be completely soy free to notice it.

Anybody else notice it happening with a certain food? I think it is a food allergy symptom.

Connie

  • 3 weeks later...
PETES Newbie

Balmex helps me too but doesn't address the cause. I think it is either stool leakage or more probably excess bile salts in the stool that are irritating. I think the best strategy is to bulk up the stool with fiber or absorb the bile salts with questran. Unfortunately questran seems to irritate my GERD. Always something

  • 2 weeks later...
SofiEmiMom Enthusiast

For me it was an allergy symptom. I had a terrible reaction to an antibiotic where I broke out in an itchy rash. My anus, however, was the absolute worst, itchy place! I coudn't believe it.

I'm laughing, I never thought I would post something like this... :P

erica Rookie

I am so relieved to know I am not the only one. I am on my computer looking for answers at 2 am b/c I can't stand the itching anymore. I have tried warms baths, tucks pads, every anti itch cream on the market and suppositories. At first, they worked for a few hours at a time. Now they work for about 5 minutes before the itching comes back. I am on my last nerve.... I think mine started when my Dr. put me back on gluten b/c my test results came back inconclusive. He wants me to eat it for 3 months so I can then hae an endoscopy. I am at month 2 and all my old symptoms are back. But this butt itch is a new symptom and it keeps me up at night!

  • 4 years later...
laurie-carr Newbie
I am so relieved to know I am not the only one. I am on my computer looking for answers at 2 am b/c I can't stand the itching anymore. I have tried warms baths, tucks pads, every anti itch cream on the market and suppositories. At first, they worked for a few hours at a time. Now they work for about 5 minutes before the itching comes back. I am on my last nerve.... I think mine started when my Dr. put me back on gluten b/c my test results came back inconclusive. He wants me to eat it for 3 months so I can then hae an endoscopy. I am at month 2 and all my old symptoms are back. But this butt itch is a new symptom and it keeps me up at night!
laurie-carr Newbie

I am 100% on board with everyone....I too am up all night. My doc had to examine me (very embaressing). He didnt say that it was from celiac disease.....But my celiac disease friends have said that it is part of my DH. I am aware that not all celiac disease people have DH....So I dont know what is going on....but I am loosing my mind....I need Tylenol PM to go to sleep.....HELP!!!!!!!!!

Billygean Apprentice

Celiac is often associated with hard stools that can cause tiny cuts. Cuts itch when they heal and this is what i've always put mine down to. I've only been gluten free for 6 weeks and still have very hard stools.

TammyK Apprentice

Have any of you checked for pinworms? My dd started complaining during the evening hours of itchy-anal. I had a flash-back of a mom telling me the story of her children getting pinworms and what a nuisance they were to their family. I checked, and there it was staring right back at me. You have to be mischevious though to spot them since they hide from light. Pinworms really do itch like crazy and only at night. I have learned about how common they really are.

  • 4 years later...
stefie444 Newbie

Hi all,  I have general itchy butt problem - it's even a slight but very itchy rash at the top part of my buttocks.  This is such a bother and some things work sometimes and then they stop working and I have to try something else.  It went away completely and then I unknowingly ate some glutenized food a couple weeks ago and now I'm dealing with it again.  As for doctors telling you what it's from, they really don't know.  The problem is gluten and likely an acculmulation of other things we eat that have become toxic through genetic modification - like gluten - the chemicals, additives, poisons, hormones and so many things we can't keep up with.  The best we can do is eliminate the gluten and whatever else seems to be a problem; and read labels.  It's really helpful to have a place like this to share these things, because other people don't get it and doctors honestly often don't either.  We just have to experiement and support each other. 

  • 2 years later...
Deryk Newbie

I'm so glad I found this...i've been dealing with the itch for a couple of months now and have been working with a naturopathic doctor and have not figured it out.  I thought gluten was more of the brain fog/stomach problems.  I was doing better this week with pretty much vegetable/meat diet (but I always wake up with itchiness in the morning).  last night I had chinese (gluten, soy, spices, etc...) and within 30 minutes the eczema on my elbows (a new problem), itchiness in my ears (a new problem) and the bottom issue flared up.  I had a terrible night, getting up several times to put on cream to ease the bottom itchiness.  

So???? This could be due to gluten???

cyclinglady Grand Master
1 hour ago, Deryk said:

I'm so glad I found this...i've been dealing with the itch for a couple of months now and have been working with a naturopathic doctor and have not figured it out.  I thought gluten was more of the brain fog/stomach problems.  I was doing better this week with pretty much vegetable/meat diet (but I always wake up with itchiness in the morning).  last night I had chinese (gluten, soy, spices, etc...) and within 30 minutes the eczema on my elbows (a new problem), itchiness in my ears (a new problem) and the bottom issue flared up.  I had a terrible night, getting up several times to put on cream to ease the bottom itchiness.  

So???? This could be due to gluten???

Who knows?  Could be celiac disease, allergies, food intolerances, etc.  Consider getting tested or learning more about celiac disease.  The University of Chicago has a very good web-site on celiac disease:

http://www.cureceliacdisease.org/medical-professionals/guide/diagnosis

Also consider keeping a food journal.  

Good Luck!

 

ScottM77 Newbie
2 hours ago, Deryk said:

I'm so glad I found this...i've been dealing with the itch for a couple of months now and have been working with a naturopathic doctor and have not figured it out.  I thought gluten was more of the brain fog/stomach problems.  I was doing better this week with pretty much vegetable/meat diet (but I always wake up with itchiness in the morning).  last night I had chinese (gluten, soy, spices, etc...) and within 30 minutes the eczema on my elbows (a new problem), itchiness in my ears (a new problem) and the bottom issue flared up.  I had a terrible night, getting up several times to put on cream to ease the bottom itchiness.  

So???? This could be due to gluten???

I have the same condition Pruritus Ani (itchy butt). I went to see 4 doctors (a GP, 2 Internists, and a dermatologist), but after many test and theories, they had no idea what was wrong with me. I used a bidet and would double wash, half hour apart, to remove all fecal matter. It acted like itching powder. I self tested eliminating foods for a year. I tried everything. 10 years I suffered with this! A short while ago, I happened upon Celiac and Gluten Intolerant, so I tried eliminating gluten. Wow! It worked. My symptoms cleared up. It was great. Then I began using my fiber therapy again, Equate, and although it says "Gluten Free" right beside it, it says (less than 20 ppm gluten) and dextrin (the primary ingredient) is made from wheat. I've had another breakout of itching. You have to be so careful. I'm feeling a bit paranoid.

One added plus, my insomnia is better. I can get back to sleep after waking to use the bathroom at night.

If you need fiber, use flax seed.

cyclinglady Grand Master
15 minutes ago, ScottM77 said:

I have the same condition Pruritus Ani (itchy butt). I went to see 4 doctors (a GP, 2 Internists, and a dermatologist), but after many test and theories, they had no idea what was wrong with me. I used a bidet and would double wash, half hour apart, to remove all fecal matter. It acted like itching powder. I self tested eliminating foods for a year. I tried everything. 10 years I suffered with this! A short while ago, I happened upon Celiac and Gluten Intolerant, so I tried eliminating gluten. Wow! It worked. My symptoms cleared up. It was great. Then I began using my fiber therapy again, Equate, and although it says "Gluten Free" right beside it, it says (less than 20 ppm gluten) and dextrin (the primary ingredient) is made from wheat. I've had another breakout of itching. You have to be so careful. I'm feeling a bit paranoid.

One added plus, my insomnia is better. I can get back to sleep after waking to use the bathroom at night.

If you need fiber, use flax seed.

I am sorry that your doctors were not able to help you!  I am glad that you are doing so well now!  It is hard for many to remain gluten free for life.  It can be done (hubby has been gluten-free for 14 years without a diagnosis) but there are many reasons someone like Deryk should be tested before going gluten free.   Why?  

http://celiacdisease.about.com/od/diagnosingceliacdisease/f/Gluten-Challenge.htm

Welcome to the forum!  

Palvyre Apprentice

Anal itching is a common symptom of malabsorption disorders. I had this for years. I was diagnosed with Celiac 2 years ago now and lactose intolerance. Eliminating those two has resolved the issue. If you are still having a problem after going gluten-free, I would try an elimination diet. The most likely candidate in a newly diagnosed celiac disease patient is lactose intolerance. 

  • 1 month later...
Shanin Newbie

I have also had this issue. I am currently on a Paleo diet (no grains!!) I find that the anal itching returns anytime I cheat and try eating gluten free grains such as corn, rice, etc.  

Unfortunately, my small children are now experiencing the same issue. I'm hoping they don't need to give up grains too,  giving up gluten was hard enough for them.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      126,762
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Dr jac
    Newest Member
    Dr jac
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      120.9k
    • Total Posts
      69.6k

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • aperlo34
      Came out of nowhere this past September, I’m 29. No GI symptoms that I know of other than foul gas and minor constipation/discomfort. 
    • knitty kitty
      You have to add in how long you were an undiagnosed Celiac....
    • RMJ
      I’ve been to restaurants for lunch with people from work and not eaten anything.  One time I just had a bowl of white rice.  The restaurant didn’t care and nobody made any nasty comments.  It took some bravery on my part to do that but it turned out fine. I just tell people I’m there for their company, which is more important to me than the food.
    • trents
      From your first post, tests 1-4 are individual antibody tests used to detect celiac disease. #5 is what we call "total IGA" which is used to check for IGA deficiency. If a person is IGA deficient, it can skew their individual IGA test scores down toward the negative range and generate false negatives. You are not IGA deficient. Test #4 from your first post, the tTG-IGA, is the most popular test ordered by physicians and considered to be the best single test for diagnosing celiac disease. It is relatively inexpensive to run and it combines excellent specificity with excellent reliability. You were negative for this one. The reason could have been, however, that you had been eating a reduced gluten diet. The one positive test you had, the DGP-IGG, is not as specific for celiac disease as is the tTG-IGA but certainly can indicate that you do have celiac disease, particularly if you were skimping on gluten when the blood draw was done. The endoscopy with biopsy of the small bowel lining is considered to be the gold standard of diagnostics for celiac disease. But it still requires that you have been eating generous amounts of gluten for weeks/months to be valid. Otherwise, the villous lining begins to heal and nothing shows from the biopsy. The problem might be finding a GI doc willing to do an endoscopy/biopsy on the elevated DGP-IGG alone. He/she may want to repeat the antibody panel first. Your other option is to forego an official celiac diagnosis and commit to seriously eating gluten free and see if your symptoms improve. You would not know whether you have celiac disease or NCGS but the antidote for either is the same. You never mentioned your symptoms. What led you to get tested for celiac disease?
    • Scott Adams
      Ultimately you have to be responsible for your own health, regardless of how it might affect others, and this is especially true if you have both celiac disease and a severe nut allergy. Eating out is the most common source of gluten contamination, even in restaurants that have gluten-free menus.  Celiac.com has published a book on our site by Jean Duane PhD called Gluten-Centric Culture, which covers many of the social aspects of having celiac disease: This chapter in particular covers issues around eating with family and others - Gluten-Centric Culture: Chapter 5 - Grabbing A Bite Together:    
×
×
  • Create New...