Specific Pruritus Ani

Pruritus ani is symptom of many conditions in which there is an intense urge to itch the perianal skin. While most pruritus is idiopathic in nature, there are numerous situations amenable to treatment. A search for a correctable cause of pruritus is an essential initial diagnostic step. Specific pruritus ani can be categorized into causes due to body anatomy, anal pathology, chemical irritants, infectious agents, neoplastic changes, and other sources. Treatment of the specific cause of the symptoms may alleviate the suffering of some patients. General guidelines for treatment include keeping the perianal skin clean and dry and free of chemicals and trauma.