Anal itching is an intense discomfort that occurs in the skin around a person’s anus, the canal at the end of the rectum from which feces is expelled from the body. People who experience this condition often feel a strong and persistent urge to scratch, which can cause great embarrassment for the patient.

There are many potential sources of anal itching. Most are relatively harmless to a person’s health, but some cases of anal itching indicate the presence of serious medical disorders.

In many cases, anal itching can be successfully treated by taking proper self-care measures. However, anal itching that persists or does not respond to home-based care may require a visit to a physician. Physicians may recommend prescription medication or surgery to address an underlying condition that is causing the itching. Proper treatment can result in complete relief from symptoms for most people.