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Dermatology and Pruritus Ani

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The ASCRS Textbook of Colon and Rectal Surgery

Abstract

Anal pruritus is defined as the intense feeling of itching around the anus. Skin irritation and itching often lead to scratching and excessive wiping leading to excoriation and cutaneous injury. This further intensifies the sensation to itch, ultimately resulting in a vicious cycle of itching and scratching. There are several factors associated with pruritus ani, but in 25% of the cases, it is considered idiopathic. Once the underlying dermatologic, food, infectious, neoplastic, and anorectal pathology has been treated, the therapy must be directed toward proper anal hygiene, avoidance of irritants, and minimizing skin trauma. If the first line of therapy is not successful, then more diagnostic and therapeutic interventions are needed to cure the disease. Topical steroids, antihistamine medication, antidepressants, capsaicin, tacrolimus, and methylene blue are among some of the therapeutic interventions with variable success. Managing patient expectations at the first visit is of paramount importance, as the resolution of symptoms often takes time.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Chicago, Department of Surgery, Chicago, IL, USA

    Konstantin Umanskiy

  2. Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Department of Surgery, Boston, MA, USA

    Evangelos Messaris

Authors
  1. Konstantin Umanskiy
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  2. Evangelos Messaris
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Konstantin Umanskiy .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Colorectal Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Scott R. Steele

  2. Department of Colorectal Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Tracy L. Hull

  3. University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA

    Neil Hyman

  4. Department of Surgery, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA

    Justin A. Maykel

  5. Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    Thomas E. Read

  6. Department of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Ochsner Clinic, New Orleans, LA, USA

    Charles B. Whitlow

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Umanskiy, K., Messaris, E. (2022). Dermatology and Pruritus Ani. In: Steele, S.R., Hull, T.L., Hyman, N., Maykel, J.A., Read, T.E., Whitlow, C.B. (eds) The ASCRS Textbook of Colon and Rectal Surgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-66049-9_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-66049-9_17

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-66048-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-66049-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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