Anal Pruritus: Diagnosis and Management

Pruritus ani is a condition that results in itching or burning in the perianal area. It can be due to primary or secondary causes and can be self-limiting or persistent. To date, there is limited quality evidence in the literature, and there are no published guidelines to aid the physician in its di...

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Main Authors: Daniel T. Slagle, William J. Harb
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2023-07-01
Series:World Journal of Colorectal Surgery
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.lww.com/wjcs/fulltext/2023/12030/anal_pruritus__diagnosis_and_management.1.aspx
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author Daniel T. Slagle
William J. Harb
author_facet Daniel T. Slagle
William J. Harb
author_sort Daniel T. Slagle
collection DOAJ
description Pruritus ani is a condition that results in itching or burning in the perianal area. It can be due to primary or secondary causes and can be self-limiting or persistent. To date, there is limited quality evidence in the literature, and there are no published guidelines to aid the physician in its diagnosis and management. In this article, an overview of the current literature is discussed and a suggested treatment algorithm is provided. A thorough history and physical examination is essential to rule out secondary causes of pruritus. The underlying etiology of pruritus guides management. Education regarding anal hygiene is important for all cases. For any patient with refractory pruritus or an abnormal exam, biopsy should be strongly considered.
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institution OA Journals
issn 1941-8213
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publishDate 2023-07-01
publisher Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
record_format Article
series World Journal of Colorectal Surgery
spelling doaj-art-7ba691e4ae394e2ca3eebf68bf82a0512025-08-20T02:09:18ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsWorld Journal of Colorectal Surgery1941-82132023-07-01123555810.4103/wjcs.wjcs_32_23Anal Pruritus: Diagnosis and ManagementDaniel T. SlagleWilliam J. HarbPruritus ani is a condition that results in itching or burning in the perianal area. It can be due to primary or secondary causes and can be self-limiting or persistent. To date, there is limited quality evidence in the literature, and there are no published guidelines to aid the physician in its diagnosis and management. In this article, an overview of the current literature is discussed and a suggested treatment algorithm is provided. A thorough history and physical examination is essential to rule out secondary causes of pruritus. The underlying etiology of pruritus guides management. Education regarding anal hygiene is important for all cases. For any patient with refractory pruritus or an abnormal exam, biopsy should be strongly considered.https://journals.lww.com/wjcs/fulltext/2023/12030/anal_pruritus__diagnosis_and_management.1.aspxanorectal; benign; pruritus ani
spellingShingle Daniel T. Slagle
William J. Harb
Anal Pruritus: Diagnosis and Management
World Journal of Colorectal Surgery
anorectal; benign; pruritus ani
title Anal Pruritus: Diagnosis and Management
title_full Anal Pruritus: Diagnosis and Management
title_fullStr Anal Pruritus: Diagnosis and Management
title_full_unstemmed Anal Pruritus: Diagnosis and Management
title_short Anal Pruritus: Diagnosis and Management
title_sort anal pruritus diagnosis and management
topic anorectal; benign; pruritus ani
url https://journals.lww.com/wjcs/fulltext/2023/12030/anal_pruritus__diagnosis_and_management.1.aspx
work_keys_str_mv AT danieltslagle analpruritusdiagnosisandmanagement
AT williamjharb analpruritusdiagnosisandmanagement