In this article, anal complaints are defined as pain, itching, discharge and an abnormality felt by a person in and around the anus. Rectal bleeding, constipation, fecal incontinence (failure to properly control feces and the inability to excrete them properly at a suitable place and time) and encopresis (defecation or uncleanliness for feces in children after the age of four) are discussed in this article. not discussed. Anal complaints are common. The most common conditions are: hemorrhoids (hemorrhoids), the fissure ani (fissures in the mucous membrane of the anus) and pruritus ani (anal itching), which we will explain in more detail below together with a number of other conditions.

• Hemorrhoids (hemorrhoids)
• Fissura ani (anal fissures)
• Pruritus ani (anal itching)
• Perianal eczema
• Perianal abscess
• Condylomata acuminata (genital warts)
• Other (sexually transmitted) infections
• Oxyuriasis (pinworms)
• Proctalgia fugax
• Carcinoma (cancer)
• Anal skin flaps (skin tags or marisks)

Hemorrhoids (hemorrhoids)

Many people suffer from hemorrhoids to a greater or lesser extent. Hemorrhoids are caused by dilation of the intestine in the rectum and around the anus. A distinction is often made between internal and external hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are associated with sedentary work, certain dietary habits and constipation. Symptoms that may occur include finding fresh blood on the toilet paper or in the toilet or on the stool after a bowel movement, visible swelling around the anus, secretion of mucus, sensation of burning, irritation and itching and an uncomfortable feeling of pressure .

Fissura ani (anal fissures)

An anal fissure or anal cleft is a small and painful crack or crack in the skin and/or mucous membrane of the anal canal, which often runs lengthwise. Such a gap often occurs as a result of constipation and the passage of hard stools. It usually causes a sharp, cutting pain during or after bowel movements, which is often accompanied by some blood loss. You will then find bright red blood on the stool or toilet paper.

Pruritus ani (anal itching)

Anal itching can have many causes, such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures, perianal eczema, lichen sclerosus (a condition of the skin of the genitals of unknown cause, sometimes also affecting the area around the anus), oxyuriasis, condylomata acuminata (genital warts) , psoriasis and fecal leakage. Sometimes no cause is found. This is called idiopathic pruritus ani . Idiopathic means ‘of unknown cause’.

Perianal eczema

Anal eczema or perianal eczema is often accompanied by redness, fluid production, flaking and itching. Anal eczema has many causes, such as excessive perspiration or sweating, poor hygiene, hemorrhoids, worms, contact allergy to wet wipes and overweight or obesity.

Perianal abscess

A perianal abscess is an infected, pus-filled cavity near the rectum or anus. It is an extremely painful condition and it is not yet clear why this condition occurs in one person and not in another. The condition is not related to poor hygiene.

Condylomata acuminata (genital warts)

Genital warts are a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in which soft, wart-like growths appear on the genitals and around the anus. Genital warts can cause itching or burning and sometimes pain.

Other (sexually transmitted) infections

Various STDs can cause anal complaints. These STDs are seen in people who engage in anal sex. The most important STDs that can lead to anal complaints are chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis.Adult pinworms / Source: Public domain, Wikimedia Commons (PD)

Oxyuriasis (pinworms)

Oxyuriasis or enterobiasis is an infection by the pinworm: Oxyuris (Enterobius) vermicularis . Pinworms are small worms that can parasitically infect the intestines, especially in children, and lay eggs around the anus. This causes severe itching in the anal area. Pinworms can cause very unpleasant complaints, such as severe itching around the anus. This is because the female worms crawl out through the anus at night and lay eggs on the skin around the anus. Small, moving white to yellowish pinworms are sometimes visible in the feces.

Proctalgia fugax

With proctalgia fugax, fleeting but painfully severe pain occurs in the lower part of the rectum. These are temporary, often nocturnal, attacks of pain. The pain is intense and cramping. It usually lasts less than 20 minutes and disappears as mysteriously as it comes. It is not (yet) known what causes proctalgia fugax.

Carcinoma (cancer)

A carcinoma of the anus or rectum is usually manifested by rectal bleeding or changes in defecation (changes in bowel movements). Other complaints include a sense of urgency (the feeling that you have to defecate when you don’t), incomplete bowel movements and a cramping feeling in the anus that worsens during bowel movements.

Anal skin flaps (skin tags or marisks)

A mariske is a benign, completely harmless, soft-feeling flap of skin near the anus. This could be a remnant of a hemorrhoid that was there. A marikse can cause itching, irritation and eczema complaints.

read more

• Anus: anal disorders or anal complaints with itching and pain
• Cracks or fissures in the anus: treating anal fissure
• Anal itching (itchy anus): causes of itching of the anus
• Pain in the anus or anal pain: causes of painful anus
• Rectal/anal bleeding: blood from anus, rectum, intestine, stomach