In most cases, itching is primarily a symptom of a more severe underlying condition. Considering the part of the body that is affected in this scenario, there are a number of possibilities as to the root cause of the occurrence. Because of the fact that the anal canal and rectum is primarily the route used to dispel waste from the body, it is exposed to a huge number of infections and disease spreading germs. As a result, it is not surprising that it is the most prone part of the body when it comes to contracting an infection or disease. Apart from the very obvious medical problems, anal itching could be a source of great social embarrassment and the more intense the itch, the harder it is to ignore. There are a number of causes for the development of anal itching. The most obvious would be the result of some fecal matter or body secretions irritating the nerve ending that exist around the anus. Individuals suffering from conditions like diabetes or sexually transmitted diseases are also known to suffer from fungal infections around this region that trigger the itching. Poor hygiene and not cleaning the rectum properly after a bowel movement is another common cause of anal itching while common skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis can also play their part. Some individuals may also find that the root cause of the condition is the type of food they eat as citrus fruits, tomatoes, grapes and tea or coffee are known to cause the complication.
Because of the fact that anal itching is such a common condition, there are a number of natural remedies that could be used to treat the condition. For example, you could try keeping a ball of cotton wool dusted with powder inside your underwear against the anus and change it every time you wash. Be careful to use baby powder instead of talcum though. Avoid the use of any greasy creams or petroleum jellies around the area as they will only serve to make the condition worse. The application of topical moisturizing creams is known to help soothe the irritated area while weak topical steroids can be made use of to avoid the thinning of the sensitive area around the anus. Make sure that they are used only for a couple of days and not for any lengthier periods. Some experts believe that rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin is known to bring almost instant relief to the condition.