URGENT: Click here for updated parking instructions

Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein.

Rectal Problems

Overview

Media Gallery(1 picture)

Rectal problems are common. Almost everyone will have some rectal itching, pain, or bleeding at some time. These problems are often minor. They may go away on their own or with home treatment.

Rectal itching

Rectal itching (pruritus) usually isn't a sign of a serious disease. At first, the skin of the anal area, Opens dialog may look red. Itching and scratching may make the skin become thickened and white. Common causes of rectal itching include:

  • Poor cleaning of the area after a bowel movement. Itching and discomfort may happen when pieces of stool become trapped in skin folds around the anus, Opens dialog.
  • Medicines, especially ones that cause diarrhea or constipation. Antibiotics, Opens dialog are one example.
  • Cleaning of the anus with very hot water and strong soaps. The anal area is normally oily. This oil barrier protects against the irritation of bowel movements. Repeated cleaning or showering will remove these oils. It can lead to a cycle of itching and scratching that can be hard to stop.
  • The use of scented toilet paper, scented soap, or ointments (such as those that contain benzocaine).
  • A dry skin condition that affects the whole body. This condition is more common in older adults.
  • Hemorrhoids, Opens dialog. These are enlarged veins near the lower end of the rectum, Opens dialog or outside the anus.
  • An infection of the anus or rectum. It may be caused by viruses (such as genital warts, Opens dialog) or bacteria, Opens dialog. Or it may be caused by pinworms, Opens dialog, scabies, Opens dialog, fungus, yeast, or parasites. Some infections are passed on by animals. Pinworms are the most common cause of anal itching in children. An infection you get from an animal is called a zoonosis (say "zoh-uh-NOH-sus"). Some infections can seem mild, but others can be quite serious. You can get an infection from a pet, a farm animal, or a petting zoo.
  • Certain foods. These foods may include coffee, tea, cola, alcoholic drinks, chocolate, tomatoes, spicy foods, and large amounts of vitamin C.
  • Some people get infections while traveling that can cause rectal itching and other problems. If you are planning to travel to another country, see a doctor several months before you leave. It will give you time to get vaccines (immunizations) that you may need.

Rectal pain

Rectal pain may be caused by diarrhea, constipation, or anal itching and scratching. Rectal pain caused by these conditions usually goes away when the problem clears up.

Other less common causes of rectal pain include:

Rectal bleeding

Many people have small amounts of rectal bleeding. Irritation of the rectum from diarrhea or constipation, a small hemorrhoid, or an anal fissure can cause a small amount of bright red blood. You may see the bright blood on the surface of the stool or on the toilet paper. Hemorrhoids and anal fissures usually occur after straining during a bowel movement because of constipation. This type of bleeding can cause pain during a bowel movement. It doesn't make the toilet water bloody. It isn't serious if there is only a small amount of blood and the bleeding stops when the diarrhea or constipation stops. Home treatment is usually all that you need.

Bleeding can happen anywhere in the digestive tract. The blood is digested as it moves through the digestive tract. The longer it takes the blood to move through the tract, the less it will look like blood. Often blood that is caused by bleeding in the stomach will look black and tarry. A tarry stool has a black, shiny, sticky appearance. It looks like tar on a road. Blood that has moved quickly through the digestive tract or that starts near the rectum may look red or dark red.

Certain medicines and foods can affect the color of the stool. Diarrhea medicines (such as Pepto-Bismol) and iron tablets can make the stool black. Eating lots of beets may turn the stool red. Eating foods with black or dark blue food coloring can turn the stool black.

Current as of: October 19, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.