The rectum is the lowest part of the large bowel (colon). The opening of the rectum is the anus. Stool is passed from the anus.
Signs & Symptoms
Rectal pain
Rectal bleeding
Anal itching
Redness, swelling, or a rash in the rectal area
Treatment
Treatment for rectal problems depends on the cause. Any sign of rectal bleeding should be evaluated by a doctor. This includes blood on toilet paper. Colorectal cancer should be checked for, despite the person’s age or family history of this disease.
Causes
Anal / Rectal Pain and/or Bleeding
Constipation. Straining to pass stool. Hemorrhoids.
Anal fissures. These are splits or tears in the skin around the anus.
Polyps or small growths
Injury due to anal intercourse or the insertion of a foreign object
Blockage in the intestines
Colorectal cancer
Anal / Rectal Itching
Often there is no clear cause. Persons with diabetes are more prone to rectal itching.
Dry skin. Products that irritate or cause a skin allergy in the anal area. Examples are over-the-counter anesthetic ointments that end in “caine,” such as benzocaine.
Hemorrhoids
Long-term diarrhea
Psoriasis. This is a chronic skin disease. With this, itchy, scaly red patches form on a part of the body.
Pinworms. These are intestinal parasites. The anal itching is at night and can be painful.
A yeast infection
Self-Care / Prevention
Limiting these items may help with anal / rectal itching:
Caffeine
Carbonated drinks
Citrus fruits and tomatoes
Chocolate
Alcohol
Spicy foods
Anal / Rectal Bleeding
Don’t lift heavy things.
Stop taking anti-inflammatory medicines and/or aspirin (unless prescribed and monitored by your doctor).
Don’t strain to pass stool.
Anal / Rectal Itching
Practice good hygiene. Clean the rectal area daily.
Use an over-the-counter ointment, such as one with zinc oxide or one for hemorrhoids, such as Preparation H. Follow package directions. Capsaicin topical cream may also be used.
Wear clothes and undergarments that fit loosely.
Take a warm bath or sitz bath. A sitz bath is a shallow, warm water bath. You can get a sitz bath device from a medical supply company and some drug stores. Then dry the rectal area well.
Take warm tub baths.
Lose weight if you are overweight.
If you have diabetes, keep blood sugar levels in a healthy range.
Pinworms
Check for pinworms in this way: In a dark room, a few hours after bedtime, shine a flashlight on the anus. Pinworms, if present, will go back into the anus when the flashlight is shined on them.
Wash the hands often.
Keep fingernails closely trimmed.
Try to get your child to not suck their thumb and not bite their nails.
Wash underwear and bed linen in hot soapy water.
If medication for pinworms is prescribed or recommended by your doctor, use it as directed.
If your child is infected with pinworms, it may be recommended that all of their caregivers to be treated at the same time to reduce the risk of reinfection.
Rectal Pain
Take warm baths.
Use a warm water sitz bath for 15 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day.
Put towels soaked in warm water on the anal area. Or, apply a cold compress to the painful area, if this helps with the pain.
Don’t strain to pass stool.
Use soft, plain, unscented, two-ply toilet paper. Take your own toilet paper to work or other places that may use harsh paper. Use wet, not dry, toilet paper, if that helps.
Use an over-the-counter wipe, such as Tucks, after using toilet paper.
Don’t sit for long periods of time. When you do sit, raise your legs, as often as you can.
If needed, take an over-the-counter medicine for pain as directed.
Triage Questions
Question 1
Do you have any of these problems?
Bright red blood in the stools (not just on toilet paper) with dizziness, nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath, and/or severe abdominal pain, cramps, and swelling
Rectal bleeding is heavy or dark maroon or black in color.
Rape or sexual abuse has occurred.
A foreign object is not able to be removed from the rectum.
