Though it’s not a topic often discussed, millions of people suffer from anal or vaginal irritation. This may be an embarrassing situation for people who suffer from it, but the causes of itchy skin around genital area are quite common. There are several conditions that lead to discomfort “down there” such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures, yeast infections, diarrhea and dry or chafed skin.
The Causes
The skin is the largest organ of your body. It helps you stay healthy by keeping your body temperature even. It also protects you from viruses and harmful bacteria. To do its job well, the skin is covered by a thin layer called the acid mantle. The acid mantle is made of sebum (an oily substance) from sebaceous glands and sweat from sweat glands in the skin. The acid mantle is kept at a pH between 4.5 and 5.5 by healthy bacteria on the skin.
The use of harsh skin cleansers, continuous sweating, or changes inside your body can disturb the pH balance of the acid mantle. When skin pH is raised even just slightly, the acid mantle breaks down, skin cells are pulled apart, and bacteria and yeasts on the skin can grow out of control. Your skin becomes irritated and open to more damage.
Digestive Problems
Itchy anal or anal discomfort is often the result of diarrhea or constipation. Diarrhea can be the result of infection (eg, with enterotoxigenic E. coli while traveling abroad), food intolerance, eating acidic or spicy foods, drinking alcohol or coffee, and even long-distance running. Taking some medicines (eg, antibiotics and antidepressants) and medical treatments (eg, radiation therapy or surgery) can also cause diarrhea and constipated.
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are swollen and inflamed veins that can be either inside the anus (internal) or under the skin around the anus (external). Hemorrhoids and anal fissures (small tears in the tissue near the anus) often develop due to continued irritation caused by diarrhea or straining due to constipation. Excessive rubbing to clean the affected area can make hemorrhoids more painful and cause bleeding.
Pregnancy and Childbirth
Hormonal changes during pregnancy slow intestinal activity and leave women with harder stools and constipation. At the same time, the additional weight of the growing baby often results in hemorrhoids. The strain of vaginal childbirth adds to the likelihood of a woman experiencing hemorrhoids during her lifetime.
Mature Age
In the healthy acid mantle of the skin yeasts and bacteria are in perfect balance. But hormonal changes caused by pregnancy, birth control pills or patches, and menopause can disrupt this balance. Pregnancy, for example, increases vaginal pH and promotes storage of sugar in the walls of vaginal cells. Yeast thrives in this environment. At menopause, lower estrogen levels allow the vaginal wall to become thinner and less lubricated. This makes skin around the vagina more vulnerable to damage and can cause you an itchy vagina. In addition, hemorrhoids occur more commonly as we age, especially as body weight tends to increase at the same time.
.png)
