Washing the anus with soap is a no-no, using a bidet on “high” is a no-no… Beware of care for “anal problems” that are full of mistakes.

Washing the anus with “soap” was a mistake!

There are a certain number of men who suffer from an itchy, mushy, uncomfortable feeling in their buttholes. Most of the itchy anus is related to the wrong way to wash the anus,” says Dr. Hirata, a medical assistant at the Hirata Anal Clinic.

Dr. Hirata is the fourth generation of a proctology clinic that has been in existence for 80 years since 1935, and is a professional in the treatment of hemorrhoids and other “buttocks” problems.

Most of the itching on the buttocks is a symptom called ‘pruritus around the anus,'” he says. There are several causes, but the most common is washing the anus with soap.

Human skin is maintained at a slightly acidic level, but most soaps and body washes are alkaline, which damages the skin’s barrier function and makes the skin of the anal area rough. This results in itching and irritation.”

When itching occurs, people worry, “Maybe it’s because I’m being unclean.” and wash the anus area more and more. This has the opposite effect, making the symptoms worse and worse.

If you scratch your butthole too much and it becomes a chronic condition, the skin will continue to be damaged and the anus may turn white. Some people have to endure the itching for many years, and then come to see a doctor when they have a white anus,” he says.

Other causes include stool conditions such as diarrhea or constipation, and physical stress on the buttocks.

In the case of diarrhea, the watery nature of the stools makes it easier for ammonia and salts to remain in the anal creases, and alkaline digestive enzymes can adhere to the stools, leading directly to itching. Constipation also tends to make stools more alkaline.

Wiping too hard with toilet paper after defecation or using a washlet with too much water pressure for too long can also physically damage the anal skin. If you keep scratching because it itches, the itching nerve gradually becomes closer to the surface of the skin, and the slightest irritation can easily cause itching, which can become chronic.

Cancer” may be the cause of your anal rash. “…a malignant tumor could be lurking.

If it is caused by soap or stool, you will get better by stopping or improving it. However, in some cases, there are hidden diseases of the buttocks or intestines that cannot be optimistically dismissed as “mere itching. These are hemorrhoids and rectal cancer.

Some patients who come to our clinic complaining of itching have warts (internal hemorrhoids) or cut hemorrhoids (anal fissures). The process of repairing hemorrhoids by natural healing produces secretions, which flow out and cause itching on the skin.

In addition, although cases are rare, there are patients whose symptoms that appear to be skin rashes are malignant rectal or anal cancer. Other diseases can also cause itching, including candida, an infection caused by fungi, and ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory disease of the colon.

So how do we deal with persistent itching in the buttocks? Symptoms in the buttocks may recur even after being cured once, and many people may secretly use over-the-counter medications on a regular basis.

There are two main types of over-the-counter medications: steroid-containing types and non-steroidal types. The steroid-containing type should be avoided for long-term use. Non-steroidal antihistamines are drugs that suppress itching, and if they are effective, there is no problem continuing their use.”

If itching is recurring over a long period of time despite the use of over-the-counter medications, if the itching becomes more intense, or if there are symptoms other than itching that concern you, it is advisable to consult a specialist rather than to persist with the itching.

If symptoms do not improve after a week, do not hesitate to consult a doctor. A proctologist or, if there is none in your area, a dermatologist will be able to examine you. The proctologist looks inside the anus with a mirror called a proctoscope to check the condition of the mucous membrane and whether there are cut hemorrhoids, warts, or cancer. If necessary, a colonoscopy is performed. We will determine the cause, diagnose the name of the disease, and proceed with the appropriate treatment.

Washlet on “high” is a no-no!

Dr. Hirata asserts, “Most buttocks problems are caused by lifestyle. Therefore, if itching and itchiness are not a serious disease, but rather pruritus around the anus, a slight change in diet and lifestyle can relieve symptoms.

The first important thing is to avoid washing the anus with soap and body wash. It is enough to wash the anal area gently with your hands while taking a shower. To begin with, the anal area has a high level of immune function and is protected by many indigenous bacteria. Some people’s symptoms improve simply by stopping the use of soap.

After defecating, use the washlet on low for 10 seconds or less. Ventilation of the anal area is also important. To prevent itching, I recommend trunks rather than boxer shorts and cotton rather than synthetic fabrics.

Warts and hemorrhoids can be caused by coldness around the lower back, so it is important to keep the lower back cool by wearing a belly wrap or clothing that covers the lower back. The key to a healthy diet is a diet that regulates the intestinal environment.

Take fiber from a variety of foods such as vegetables, potatoes, and beans, and aim for “banana stools,” which come out quickly and easily. Add fiber to the foods you eat, such as mixing glutinous oats or agar agar into white rice, or choosing whole-grain bread instead of white bread. If you have anal problems, avoid drinking alcohol, which causes diarrhea.

In addition to diet, people who sleep little or sit for long periods of time are also prone to buttocks problems. People with desk jobs should walk 10 meters after sitting for an hour at home or in the office to smooth blood flow to the lower body.”

The anus digests and absorbs food from the mouth and expels unwanted food. After passing through the stomach and intestines, the anus plays a very important role in defecation.

According to a survey conducted by our clinic, it takes an average of seven years from the time a problem occurs in the buttocks to the time a patient visits a hospital. That’s how few people go to a hospital even if they have symptoms. However, as explained above, the possibility of cancer or other diseases is not zero.

It will take a long time and cost a lot of money if the symptoms become serious. If the symptoms are diagnosed while they are as small as “itching” or “itchy,” the disease can be cured relatively quickly. It is said that we live for 100 years, which means that we will use our anus for 100 years as well. I hope that this will give you a chance to review your own health, starting with your buttocks.

Buttocks are a serious problem that people are embarrassed to discuss with others. If you stop taking care of your buttocks incorrectly and take appropriate measures, you should be able to live a more comfortable life without worrying about a little itchiness.

Yugo Hir ata, M.D., Deputy Director of Hirata Proctology Clinic. He is the fourth generation of Hirata Proctology Clinic, which was established in 1935 as a clinic specializing in proctology and has a history of more than 80 years. After joining the Department of Colorectal Surgery at Tokyo University, he was transferred to the Tokyo Yamate Medical Center Colorectal Disease Center, where he gained clinical experience as a specialist in colorectal diseases. He is a board-certified surgeon of the Japanese Surgical Association, a board-certified specialist of the Japanese Society of Colorectal Diseases (anorectal field), and a board-certified specialist of the Japanese Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.