Anal eczema

What is anal eczema?

Anal eczema is a rash of the skin in the anal area. This rash can manifest as burning at the anus, oozing at the anus, but especially as severe itching at the anus. Anal eczema is not only extremely unpleasant for most patients but also tabooed, as complaints in the anogenital area are rarely openly and frequently discussed in our society. This circumstance often leads to medical examination and professional diagnosis being sought only after the rash or anal eczema has persisted for a long time.

What are the causes of anal eczema? 

The development of anal eczema is usually preceded by impairment of the natural skin barrier in the anal region. This impairment can occur in different ways. Generally, three main causes and thus forms of anal eczema are distinguished in medicine.

The most common cause of anal eczema is direct damage to the skin barrier caused by chemical or mechanical irritation or overuse. Chemical irritations are often caused by leaking intestinal secretions, which occur, for example, in Hemorrhoidal disease or also Anal fistulas can spontaneously discharge from the anus. Anal eczema can also develop due to insufficient or age-related impaired hygiene of the anus. Increased moisture and/or fecal accumulation can promote eczema formation and cause anal eczema. Intensive cleaning with toilet paper or excessive strain on the anal region through certain sports are possible causes of mechanical irritation of the anus. In cases of prolonged symptoms at the anus, medical expertise should definitely be sought, as in rare cases tumors in the rectal or anal area can also be causally related to anal eczema. 

In the course of atopic dermatitis, also better known as neurodermatitis, anal eczema can occur intermittently along with involvement of other body areas, or it can appear alone. So-called atopic anal eczema can also be triggered by factors such as spicy foods.
The last cause of anal eczema is contact allergies. This occurs when there is an allergy or allergic reaction to ingredients in lotions, moist toilet paper, or other hygiene products such as panty liners or even medical creams and ointments. 

What are the symptoms of anal eczema?

Anal eczema causes severe and intense Itching in the anus or burning around the anus. These symptoms are often accompanied by redness and oozing of the skin around the anus or blistering and skin changes in the anal folds. In addition to skin changes around the anus, redness often appears in the thigh area or on the labia or scrotum. The distressing main symptom of anal eczema is Itching around the anus. However, scratching leads to further irritation of the skin around the anus and additionally impairs the healing of anal eczema. The course of anal eczema strongly depends on the cause and the chosen therapy approach.

How can anal eczema be treated? How do you get rid of anal eczema?

The treatment of anal eczema is individualized depending on the cause. While most anal eczema cases disappear after a short time with ointments, suppositories, and creams, therapy can be prolonged in rare cases. Relieving symptoms such as severe itching around the anus is a top priority for individual well-being. Mild symptoms can sometimes be managed with home remedies, but for more severe complaints, special zinc ointments, sitz baths, creams, and suppositories with anti-inflammatory agents are used. For anal eczema caused by contact allergies, it is especially important to identify and completely avoid the allergenic ingredient. If hemorrhoids are the cause, they can be treated, for example, with suppositories such as CANNEFF® SUP Suppositories or treated with ointments and creams. In addition to treating anal eczema, gentle and thorough hygiene of the anal area is an essential factor for the healing process. In summary, the treatment of anal eczema depends heavily on the causes and symptoms. Therefore, it is important to seek medical advice when anal eczema occurs to get an accurate diagnosis and the best treatment for your individual complaints.

How can I prevent anal eczema?

For the prevention of anal eczema, thorough and gentle hygiene of the anus after bowel movements is especially important. Scratchy or damp toilet paper should generally be avoided. Underwear made from natural materials is better suited for regulating moisture in the intimate and anal areas than synthetic fabrics and should therefore also be mentioned as a preventive measure. Nutrition also plays a central role in preventing anal eczema. Pay attention to your intestinal health, drink enough water, and avoid sweets and sugar.  

What is the difference between anal eczema and hemorrhoids?

Although hemorrhoidal disease can trigger anal eczema, these proctological conditions differ on several levels. Itching in the anus, due to anal eczema or rather hemorrhoids? Both anal complaints can cause itching and burning at the anus, with a particularly strong symptom indicating anal eczema. Itching in the anus is. For the correct treatment of anal eczema, it is advisable to seek medical expertise and advice. Anal eczema affects the skin around the anus, while hemorrhoids serve as vascular cushions sealing the end of the rectum at the anus. When these vascular cushions enlarge, this is the cause of the disease pattern of Hemorrhoids, where these blood vessels can also be pushed out of the anus by strong straining. Due to chronic irritation and the discharge of intestinal secretions, the development of anal eczema is a possible consequence.
The following distinguishing features allow even a first assessment of complaints at the anus. 

While anal eczema occurs externally around the rosette at the anus, hemorrhoids are fundamentally located inside the anus; larger hemorrhoids in later stages of hemorrhoidal disease can also protrude outside the anus (prolapse). 

While in anal eczema usually no Pain in the anus occur, here the Itching in the anus the more intense the symptoms. In cases of hemorrhoids occur Pain in the anus usually only appear in later stages of hemorrhoidal disease. 

In cases of blood in the anus or even Blood in stool is it should be noted that in anal eczema, bleeding in the anus, especially due to increased scratching, with intense Itching in the anus can occur. In cases of Hemorrhoids bleeding can occur during or shortly after bowel movements. This damage to the vessel walls of the hemorrhoids can be caused by hard stool or excessive straining during bowel movements. Blood in the stool, or blood from Hemorrhoids usually appear as bright red to red blood traces on toilet paper or directly as blood in the stool. In cases of Blood in the stool one should not self-diagnose but have any anal region complaints medically examined.

How do CANNEFF® SUP Suppositories work in the treatment of anal eczema?

CANNEFF® SUP Suppositories for rectal use, with CBD and Hyaluronic Acid can relieve various symptoms and discomfort in the anal region. The suppositories promote and support the healing process in cases of Hemorrhoids, Anal fistulas, Anal fissures and lesions in the anal region. Even after colorectal surgeries, CANNEFF® SUP Suppositories help support the healing process and minimize discomfort in the anal area.

Find more information here about Hemorrhoids, Blood in the stool, Itching in the anus, Pain in the anus, but also the innovative medical device CANNEFF® SUP Suppositories with the unique active ingredient combination of CBD and Hyaluronic Acid.