Why does a child’s anus become red and itchy?

The human anus is also a very hidden place. This place is easily in a dark and humid environment, so it is also easy to have some skin problems. If the child's anus shows redness and itching symptoms, parents need to do several things. The first and most important thing is to keep the skin of the child's anus dry, change diapers for the child in time, and apply ointment for treatment in severe cases. What is the cause of the child's red and itchy anus?

Why does a child’s anus become red and itchy?

1. Causes of anal itching in children: pinworm infection

Anal itching in children is mostly caused by pinworms: pinworms often crawl around the anus to lay eggs, irritating the skin and causing severe itching. When a child complains of anal itching, you can let the child's buttocks face the window during the day and pry open the anal sphincter. Sometimes you can see small white worms like short thread ends. It is best to shine a flashlight on the child at night when he is asleep. It will be easier to see pinworms crawling around the anus.

Pinworms not only absorb nutrients or blood in the intestines and make children lose their appetite, but also disturb children's sleep, causing night terrors and crying. They also make children emotionally upset and unable to concentrate, and they will gradually lose weight over time. Therefore, attention should be paid to the prevention and treatment of pinworm disease.

2. The reason for anal itching in children is that they do not clean up after defecation

The most common cause of perianal itching in children is not cleaning up thoroughly after defecation. The residual feces will irritate the anus and cause itching. The baby's anal itching is caused by the urea in the excrement being broken down by bacteria into alkaline ammonia, which irritates the skin.

It is best to take a hot bath every day. Taking a bath after getting up in the morning can wash away more worm eggs and worm bodies, because worms often migrate to the anus to lay eggs at night. It is recommended to take a shower instead of a bath, and use shower gel or soap to wash, especially to clean the anal area.

3. Causes of anal itching in children: diarrhea

When a baby has diarrhea, he or she will have more bowel movements, which will cause inflammation of the skin around the anus and may also cause skin itching. When a baby has diarrhea, the skin around the anus is contaminated by feces, which can easily fix fecal particles around the anus, making them difficult to clean and often causing itching.

Keep your anus clean and dry, and clean it every night if possible. It is advisable to use warm water to clean the perianal area. Generally, soap is not used, especially soap with strong alkaline properties. Towels, washbasins, etc. used for cleaning should be used by one person only to avoid cross infection.