Healthspring World Clinic
Quite often we hear parents saying “Recently I have seen my little child scratching her bottom. Sometimes she can’t get to sleep because she stays up scratching so much. I check to make sure she’s wiped well enough after going potty, so I don’t know what else could be causing this.”
You’re right to check to make sure she’s thoroughly wiped, since this is one of the most common causes of anal itching in young children, especially those who are just learning to use the potty. Other common causes of anal itching are:
• Pinworms
• Fungal and bacterial infections of anus
• Diarrhoea
• Reaction to detergents
• Irritation caused by spicy food or citrus juice.
What are pinworms?
Pinworms are small, white worms (Enterobius vermicularis) that infest the intestines. The worms, which look like quarter-inch-long pieces of dental floss, can be seen wiggling around the anus and in the stool.
Pinworms are most common in school-age kids, but any age child, even babies, can get them, especially if they go to daycare or have siblings who have pinworm infestation.
How can I tell if my child has pinworms?
If your child has pinworms, he’ll scratch his anus maximum at night. Irritated skin around the anus (and sometimes vaginal itching, in girls) can also be a clue. Pinworms occasionally cause nausea and vomiting, too.
Make sure that the area stays clean. Those new to potty training may need some help for a while until they get the hang of wiping properly (front to back) . If your child is a baby, he won’t be able to tell you what the problem is, of course, but disturbed sleep and fussiness caused by nighttime itching are big tip-offs.
Pinworm infection is easy to treat and reinfection happens because of failure to wash hands properly after toilet and before eating any food. It is absolutely necessary that the fingernails should be trimmed often.
Bacterial and fungal infections around anus need to be treated with proper antibiotics.
Other issues can be treated at home:
If your child consumes a lot of spicy foods or citrus juices, try eliminating them from the diet for a couple of weeks and see if the situation improves.
Try using dye-free, perfume-free soap on your child’s undergarments. Make sure you aren’t using fabric softener, which can also cause irritation to these sensitive areas.
There are a variety of anti-itch creams (usually containing hydrocortisone) that can safely be used in the area. These are for external use only and you should first consult with your paediatrician about proper usage and dose.
Quite often we hear parents saying “Recently I have seen my little child scratching her bottom. Sometimes she can’t get to sleep because she stays up scratching so much. I check to make sure she’s wiped well enough after going potty, so I don’t know what else could be causing this.”
You’re right to check to make sure she’s thoroughly wiped, since this is one of the most common causes of anal itching in young children, especially those who are just learning to use the potty. Other common causes of anal itching are:
• Pinworms
• Fungal and bacterial infections of anus
• Diarrhoea
• Reaction to detergents
• Irritation caused by spicy food or citrus juice.
What are pinworms?
Pinworms are small, white worms (Enterobius vermicularis) that infest the intestines. The worms, which look like quarter-inch-long pieces of dental floss, can be seen wiggling around the anus and in the stool.
Pinworms are most common in school-age kids, but any age child, even babies, can get them, especially if they go to daycare or have siblings who have pinworm infestation.
How can I tell if my child has pinworms?
If your child has pinworms, he’ll scratch his anus maximum at night. Irritated skin around the anus (and sometimes vaginal itching, in girls) can also be a clue. Pinworms occasionally cause nausea and vomiting, too.
Make sure that the area stays clean. Those new to potty training may need some help for a while until they get the hang of wiping properly (front to back) . If your child is a baby, he won’t be able to tell you what the problem is, of course, but disturbed sleep and fussiness caused by nighttime itching are big tip-offs.
Pinworm infection is easy to treat and reinfection happens because of failure to wash hands properly after toilet and before eating any food. It is absolutely necessary that the fingernails should be trimmed often.
Bacterial and fungal infections around anus need to be treated with proper antibiotics.
Other issues can be treated at home:
If your child consumes a lot of spicy foods or citrus juices, try eliminating them from the diet for a couple of weeks and see if the situation improves.
Try using dye-free, perfume-free soap on your child’s undergarments. Make sure you aren’t using fabric softener, which can also cause irritation to these sensitive areas.
There are a variety of anti-itch creams (usually containing hydrocortisone) that can safely be used in the area. These are for external use only and you should first consult with your paediatrician about proper usage and dose.
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