If you’ve ever had an itchy butt, you know just how annoying it can be. There could be a few reasons why your anus would be itching, it could be a skin problem, maybe you’re wiping incorrectly, or it might be haemorrhoids — a very common problem that at least half of the population will have by the time they are 50.
What are haemorrhoids?
Haemorrhoids, commonly known as piles are simply swollen blood vessels around the anus or in the lower rectum. Internal haemorrhoids often result in painless, bright red rectal bleeding when pooing. While external haemorrhoids often result in pain, itching, and swelling in the area of the anus.
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What are the common causes?
Piles are caused by increased pressure on the blood vessels in your butt. These blood vessels stretch and swell, and before you know it, you have got one or several symptoms, including itchiness, pain, and maybe even bleeding.
Here are some common causes:
Constipation
The straining that comes with constipation creates pressure which can cause blood vessels to burst.
Toilet habits
Spending too much time on the toilet, and holding it in when you must go, can both lead to piles.
Pregnancy and childbirth
The extra weight during pregnancy, plus constipation that often comes with it, can put a lot of pressure on your lower organs. Not to mention all that pushing during labour!
Lifting heavy loads
Whether it is lifting weights at the gym, hoisting your toddler about, or moving boxes at work, picking up heavy loads can put undue strain on your delicate tissues.
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What are the common symptoms?
If you think you have piles, look out for these key symptoms:
- Itchiness, soreness and/or inflammation around your anus.
- Bleeding when passing a stool (the blood will be bright red).
- Mucous discharge after passing stool.
- Discomfort or pain while you are going to the loo.
- Feeling like your bowels need to be emptied even after going to the toilet.
- A bulging or lumpy feeling just inside your anus.
- Hard lump(s) protruding from your anus.
- Occasional sharp pains in your anus.
- A dragging sensation in your back passage.
How can you treat haemorrhoids?
As with any medical problem, it’s always advised that you see your doctor. But commonly piles can be treated at home. You would need to make a few dietary changes like including more fibre in your meals. A great way to do this by upping your vegetable and fruit intake. Why not try a bowl of oats with some stewed fruit in the morning or make a yummy butternut tart (butternut contains 7g of fibre per cup) for lunch. You could also include a daily probiotic to help aid digestion and make it easier to poo.
Rawbiotics has live fermented probiotics that balance and optimize gastrointestinal tract functionality.
To help try to ease the pain and discomfort associated with piles, you could try an ointment like Anusol which will help to soothe pain and irritation. And since hygiene plays an important role, you might want to check out their new soothing & cleansing wipes — gynecologically and dermatologically tested, they are clinically proven to cool, cleanse and soothe the area.
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Along with an effective treatment to relieve your symptoms, there are a few other easy steps you can take to make yourself more comfortable:
- Wash your bottom with unperfumed soap after each bowel movement.
- Gently pat the area with a soft dry towel afterwards.
- Wear loose, cotton underwear instead of synthetic fibres, to keep the area as dry as possible.
In most cases, your symptoms will clear up within a week or two. And, by making a few small changes to your lifestyle, you can minimise the chance they will come back to the same degree, if at all.
