Is Baking soda good for anal itching and pruritus? How to use baking soda for anal itching? How does it work? Is it effective? And finally, what are the other natural remedies to get rid of anal itching?
I. Brief Reminder of the Reasons for Anal Itching
Anal itching is also known as anal pruritus. Anal itching is felt in the anus and can have many causes.
Some pruritus, about half of it, is idiopathic, which means that no one knows the cause. In other cases, anal itching can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites. These infections are largely due to the role of the anus, which serves to evacuate fecal matter.
Poor hygiene or, on the contrary, an excess of cleanliness; are also causes of anal itching. Clothing that is too tight, smoking, alcohol, and even tomato sauce are all factors that can trigger anal itching.
II. How to Use Baking Soda for Anal Itching and Pruritus?
Baking soda is one of the many natural treatments you can use if you suffer from anal itching.
1. How Baking Soda Works on Anal Itching
Baking soda is a widely used product in home maintenance. However, the benefits of this white alkaline powder do not stop there.
Baking soda can also be very effective for beauty care, as well as for various health concerns.
In the case of anal itching, bicarbonate can first of all act on the itching itself. Because it has higher alkalinity than the skin, baking soda soothes and calms the irritation.
If anal itching is caused by bacteria or infection, baking soda can act directly on the cause. Its use rebalances the pH of the skin, making it a hostile environment for germs. Bacteria thrive best in acidic environments. Also, once the bicarbonate has neutralized the acidity of an environment, the bacteria are weakened, and the immune system is strengthened.
2. Use of Bicarbonate for Pruritus
To treat anal itch, you can use it in different ways.
As a compress:
If you suffer from anal itching, you can use a compress of baking soda. The application is quite simple.
First of all, make a bicarbonate solution. To do this, mix 10 g of baking soda in a liter of water. Moisten a clean compress with this solution and apply it to the anal area.
Keep the compress on your skin for a period of time between 15 and 20 minutes.
Sits bath:
Sits bath is another method of using baking soda for your anal pruritus.
All you have to do is make a sits bath in a few liters of warm water, in a container big enough to sit in, diluted with a few grams of baking soda. Bathe in it for 10 to 15 minutes.
This is a way to restore the pH of the area, and fight bacteria and infection.
In general, it is good to put on the dried area a little organic olive oil.
III- How to Stop Hemorrhoids from Itching
To reduce anal itching due to hemorrhoids, you may be advised to use one of these tips on its own or in combination with the others. Here are a few:
# Try not to scratch yourself while always being careful to cut your fingernails to avoid injuring yourself in case the urge to park is stronger.
# Always stay clean by washing your anal area with water and dry yourself off immediately afterward so as not to increase the urge to scratch. So avoid moistening the anus.
# You can use essential oils like avocado oil or tea tree oil to lessen the effects of anal itching. Be careful not to use essential oils alone.
They are concentrated enough that even they make you scratch. They should always be mixed with a mild vegetable oil like olive oil and almond oil.
A drop or two of essential oil in a spoon of vegetable oil is more than enough to calm the itching of hemorrhoids.
# Try hot compresses. they provide tremendous relief, at least for a while. Put a cloth or towel soaked in hot water on the anus for at least 10 minutes.
Then dry the area with another clean, dry towel. You can redo this trick several times a day.
# Ice and cold water can also be helpful for anal itching and pruritus
IV. Other Natural Remedies for Anal Itching and Pruritus
1. Apple Cider Vinegar for Anal Itching
The virtues of cider vinegar are not to be demonstrated anymore. It is used in cooking, in beauty care, and also for sanitary problems.
If you wish to use cider vinegar to fight against anal itching, the recipe is simple.
You just need to soak a little on a cotton ball, before dabbing it on the anal area. Use organic cider vinegar for best results.
Do this two or three times a day. Cider vinegar can be irritating and can sting a little. In this case, do not hesitate to dilute it with a little water to reduce the sensation.
It is also possible to use it as a suppository, by freezing the baking soda before inserting it into the anus.
Cider vinegar is an antioxidant that will be very useful to strengthen your immune system. As an antifungal agent, it also acts on fungi.
2. Olive Oil for Anal Itching and Pruritus
Olive oil can also be useful in cases of anal pruritus. In addition to medical treatment, you can add olive oil to your routine.
After your shower, apply a little olive oil to your clean skin in the anal area. You can put some on before you go to bed and leave it on overnight.
The symptoms of anal pruritus can be alleviated with olive oil. On dry skin, it will moisturize the area and soothe the itching.
3. Green Clay for Anal Itching
Green clay is earth rich in minerals. It has curative, healing, and even antiseptic properties.
Used since the dawn of time, green clay can be found in the manufacture of objects as well as in health.
A green clay poultice is a natural way to cure your anal itching. The best way to do this is to use green clay as a poultice.
In a little clear water, add a tablespoon of superfine clay. Let the mixture rest for several minutes. Once the green clay has become a consistent paste, put it on a clean compress, or gauze. Place it on the area to be treated and leave it on for 30 minutes. After this time, rinse with clear water.
Repeat 2 to 3 times a day.
4. Aloe Vera to Reduce Anal Itching
Aloe vera is a plant whose gel has multiple properties. It is a plant that can calm and soften the skin. In cases of anal pruritus, the use of aloe vera can not only act on the pain of inflammation.
In cases where anal itching is due to dry skin, aloe vera gel is very helpful. By moisturizing the skin in the anal area, it immediately relieves the itching.
Applying aloe vera gel will definitely bring you relief. Just put some on your clean hand and massage it around the anus.
If you are injured from scratching, aloe vera will prevent infection and improve skin healing.
IV. Menopause and Anal Itching
Anal itching can also be caused by menopause and hormonal changes. Scleratrophic lichen can be seen in cases of anal itching in menopausal women.
It is a lesion that can appear from the vulva to the anal area.
To cure it, it is necessary to combine medical treatment with impeccable hygiene of life. As medicines, it is possible to be prescribed ointments or dermocorticoid creams.
V. Tips to Fight Anal Itching
To fight anal itching, it is important to know the causes.
Medical treatment is important, but a few rules can improve your experience with this condition.
First, to deal with anal itching, you need to watch your diet.
Eat as many fruits and vegetables as possible and avoid coffee, alcohol, and chocolate. Spicy foods should also be avoided. In terms of drinks, drink as much water as possible. This will help to rebalance your body.
Avoid scratching as much as possible, and choose loose, comfortable clothing and underwear. This will reduce the pressure on the sensitive area and allow it to breathe.
After a bowel movement, rinse with clean water and pat dry with a clean towel.
For your intimate hygiene and care, think natural first. Use a neutral toilet soap, soft toilet paper, and above all, no cleansing wipes.
Choose a calendula or witch hazel cream, two plants known for their action on anal pruritus. Your hands must be clean before applying your cream. Everything must be done to avoid infecting this already irritated area as much as possible.
Useful Links:
Emerging Research in Chronic Pruritus: From Bedside to Bench and Back Again
Failure of sodium bicarbonate baths in the treatment of aquagenic pruritus
