Clay Michael Merritt

The medical term for your condition is pruritus ani. It is a very common problem with many potential causes. The most common reason I see in my patients is over cleaning of the anal area (the rectum is actually higher on the inside and has no "itch" receptors). I would recommend switching to a bidet for anal hygiene and pad dry after use. Avoid wiping all together if able. I also tell patients to stop any over the counter creams/ointments they may be putting on the anal area. Start a high fiber diet and drink plenty of water to make sure your stools are soft and easy to pass. Limit stool time as much as possible. Also, I always recommend you at least see your physician for a physical exam to rule out a more sinister cause of anal itching.

Sedation time depends on many things but a few of the items are: how difficult is your colon to navigate, how well do you tolerate the sedation, what sedation medications are to be used, how many polyps need to be removed or biopsies performed. In general i tell my patients to expect 20-45 minutes of sedation time.

The recommended treatment is incision and drainage. Antibiotics are often not needed if incision and drainage is achieved early in the infection. It's best to seek medical attention early if you believe you have an anal abscess.

Usually at the three week mark after surgery you can resume your normal methods of anal hygiene. I always recommend continuing with bidet style cleaning for my patients and advise to "pad" dry instead of wiping.

hemorrhoids are a part of normal anatomy. Every person born with an anus has hemorrhoidal tissue. Often times the prescription medication used to purge your gastrointestinal tract prior to a colonoscopy can cause a flare in this hemorrhoid tissue leading to acute pain and swelling. This is not a rare occurrence, and should resolve with rest, hot baths to soak the hemorrhoid tissue and over-the-counter pain medication to include Tylenol, ibuprofen, preparation, H if needed. Avoid excessive time on the toilet, and take it easy for the next few days.

perianal abscesses are the most common cause of anal fistula. The situation you're describing is classic of an anal fistula. This is an abnormal connection between the inside of the anus and the outside skin. You will likely need a referral to colorectal specialist for further evaluation and treatment. Anal fistulas rarely resolve on their own.

You need to see your family doctor for an evaluation and diagnosis. you may need a referral to a colorectal specialist. Your family doctor should be able to decide if a referral is necessary.

I recommend seeing your family doctor for an acute evaluation. You would likely benefit from prescription medications and possibly a referral to a colorectal specialist for surgical evaluation and treatment. If you have not been soaking your anorectal area in hot water several times a day ( a sitz bath) for 10-15 minutes at a time please do that as well.

You may have an infection of the gastrointestinal tract. you need an acute evaluation with your family doctor or head to the ER.