Itchy bottom

• gently wash and dry your anus after pooing and before bed

• wash with water only, or use unscented soap when washing

• wear loose-fitting cotton underwear

• keep cool – avoid clothing and bedding that makes you overheat

• eat plenty of fibre – such as fruit and vegetables, wholegrain bread, pasta and cereal to avoid constipation

• do not dry your bottom after washing by wiping or rubbing it, instead pat it dry using a towel or cotton wool

• avoid wiping or rubbing your bottom too much with wet wipes

• do not scratch, but if you cannot stop, keep your fingernails short and wear cotton gloves at night

• do not strain when you go to the toilet

• do not use scented soaps, bubble bath or bath oil

• do not use perfumes or powders near your anus

• do not eat food or drink that makes your itching worse, for example caffeine, alcohol, citrus fruit or spicy foods

You can ask the pharmacist if they have a private area where you can speak.

They can suggest:

• creams and ointments you can buy to help ease itching, such as steroid creams
• medicine and things you should do at home if it's caused by threadworms – children under 2 and pregnant or breastfeeding women need to see a GP, midwife or health visitor instead

Using steroid creams and ointments for an itchy bottom

Do not use steroid creams or ointments for longer than 1 week because they can irritate your skin and make things worse.

Get medical advice if the itching is not going away after using a steroid cream or ointment for 1 week.

• you have an itchy bottom that is not going away
• the itch keeps coming back
• you have pain in your bottom
• you have blood in your poo, which might be dark red or black
• you're bleeding or leaking liquid from your bottom
• you've noticed a change in your bowel habits
• you have an itchy bottom and feel itchy on other parts of your body
• you notice a change around your anus that is not usual for you

A GP will try to work out the cause of your itching. They may need to check your bottom (rectal examination).

Depending on the cause, the GP might:

• suggest trying things to ease it yourself
• prescribe medicine, such as stronger steroid creams, or ointments

Tell the GP immediately if a cream, ointment or other medicine makes the itching worse.

There's not always a clear cause of an itchy bottom. If it gets better quickly, it might have been caused by something that does not need treatment, like sweating a lot in hot weather.

If it lasts longer, you might be able to get an idea of the cause from any other symptoms you have. See a GP if you're worried or if your symptoms keep coming back.

It's unusual for an itchy bottom to be caused by something serious. But rarely, it may be a sign of conditions like diabetes or anal cancer, so it's important to get it checked by a GP.