Exact same problem here. Maybe rejuvenating the post can help get some suggestions from the health professionals that follow this forum.

I have the exact same problem and have visited several specialist. One told me it was the consumption of tomatoes and bananas etc. Another specialist told me it was weak muscles. I am still wrestling with this issue and it is depressing. It hits without notice and provocation. I am too depressed about it and if anyone knows what can be done, please advise. At 48 and with no real health issues it is depressing to go to the bathroom and fear that I will not be able to get clean until I have caused a rash on my anus.

Have you ever tried baby wipes- my boyfriend would keep a small container of wipes with him to help. I know that it can definitly happen just because over the years the rectum can start to leak.. Just like bladders do. Have you ever had a colonoscopy

I was umanstan, but change names. Yes I have tried the wipes and took some to work. This too caused frequent trips to the rest room to clean. I don't know why, but the problem comes and goes. I have not done anything unsual to cause it, so I am surprised. Doctors seem to take it in stride as if, you should not worry, but no one would want to date or be in public settings feeling unclean. I don't know what next steps to take.

I am new, I have been experiencing same issue. I have tried for last 2 years to figure it out. I have it narrowed down to what I believe is the cause. I believe it is Aspartame in Diet pop. I gave it up 2 months ago and no itchy anus. I had a 1 liter yesterday and this morning it drove me crazy how itchy I was. Does any one else with this problem, drink diet pop or have aspartame?

I have the same problem. Wipes help but don't solve the problem and it is not just diet soda. I have been to several Dr. and no one has a clue. If this many of us have a problem someone must know how to fix it.

PS. I have had a colenoscapy and there was nothing wrong. Seriously can someone help.

Hi
I have the same problem and like some others have not had the courage to got to the doctors but suppose i will have to. If any body has any answers or fixes to this i would love to hear. Likewise if and when i find out anything i will post it here. I recently divorced and now have a new partner and it is so embarrassing.!!!!

Pretty much the same issue here. I find it is much worse when the stool is somewhat watery, not so much diaroia, but not a hard stool. It is interesting to note the comment about Aspartame. I generally have this enrgy drink called "V". I have at least one per day. I have had a look at the ingredients and while Aspartame is not specifically mentioned, there appears to be ingredients similar to Aspartame.

Either way, i had a colonoscopy recently and teh Dr gave me the all clear...but still this issue persists. Does any one else have bloating in the stomach associated with this issue?

Its a temporary solution but seems to do ok...

I'm 32 years old. I've had this issues on and off for about 5 years. I had a scope about 3 years ago. Seem to have helped for a few months but it's definitely back. Some days worse then others. Also noticed that once I have the urge to go, and I don't go immediately, it gets worse and my whole days is ruined. I go regularly anywhere from 2 to 4 times a day. I eat healthy, lots of fruits, vegetables, red meat only once or twice a month, whole grains, nuts and berries for fibre. My alcohol intake is very low and I only drink water and almond milk with my oatmeal. No aspartame or other sweeteners.
When I had the scope, doc couldn't find anything wrong( started with the itch and unclean). I'd go to the washroom many times a day just to wipe.
My doc's explanation was that my body creates a specific enzyme that irritates my anus. He suggested just using petroleum jelly. Although it feels very weird, it helps with the itchiness, but not the wiping problem.
Also, I believe I have excessive gas. At least my fiancee believes so.
Better stop this, gotta go wipe again. It's soooooooooooo sore already.

I have now started to eat more fiber. My doctor tells me it is a binding agent as well as a stool softner. I have not have the problem as much. I hate to say it, but I think stress helped create the problem for me. I clean constantly and do worry about what my partners think. But just always have wipes and be prepared. I do not think we will get an answer to our issue

I have the same problem. I wonder if it could be associated with prescription meds (high cholesteral, blood pressure), or possibly vitamins, fish oil, or baby aspiring, all of which I take every day. Painful, embarassing, and life altering problem. I hate it.

Hi I have experienced this for a number of years and like the original poster never sought help.

Itching is less of a problem for me more the dirtyness for now reason and the seeming inabilty to get and stay clean.

Just recently and for another reason entirely I started taking Whole Psyllium Husks and Acetyl L-carnitine. Not sure which one (or the combination) but this has stopped it in a falsh ti would seem. The Psyllium if a great source of fibre and the other is said to help with IBS.

Anyway it seems to be working for me so may help others.

EDIT - I am also taking L-Glutamine and this I understand can help digestion/IBS too.

Hi there,

I had the same thing a while ago. It sounds like you could have pin worms... They are harmless but annoying... You need to clean your colon asap, you could get some worm tablets from your local chemist.

I trust this helps

I believe I have the same problem. I can go to the loo and then have a shower and be clean. Maybe an hour late I need to wipe. Its very embarassing. I watched a programme on the television that mentioned that in the colon near the entrance to the anus a little pouch or recess can develop that poo gets trapped in. After you have defacted and start moving around this excrement comes free and exits the anus. It isn't a huge amount of poo and doesn't always mark underwear but can make the anus very itchy.

SamWhat, I know you wrote so long ago and probably got the answers you need, but coming from someone who has has so much colorectal surgeries (7 surgeries in two years), I can tell you the one thing that will really help you is doing Kegal Exercises. Do a Google Search for instructions on how to do them correctly. Anyone having problems in any part of the perineal area can benefit. You bascially tigthen your anal muscles (like you're holding in a bowel movement) for 10 seconds, then release for 10 seconds. Do this 20 times. Some doctors suggest 20 reps every hours you're awake. I do them when I remember (but every day).

I'm in the same boat, never feeling clean, and had a colonoscopy. I hope there is an answer. I've tried lots of things, been to a doctor and have had this for years.

Any help or advice is useful.

I wanted to add that I have the same problem with aspartame. Whenever I consume it, later that day or the next day my anus is extremely itchy. At other times, I never really have an issue (unless it's hot, I've sweated a lot, but haven't showered, and that really only affects my "taint")

The other day I chewed 3 pieces of sugarless gum, and my anus was sore and itchy for days afterward. I looked at the label and saw aspartame was the primary sweetener...

I have had this problem since I was a teenager - I am now 37 (male) and am fit and eat a healthy diet with no medications and consume no artificial sweeteners and limit my exposure to junk food. I believe the problem is as stated by dcorlett - for me a small amount of poo and fiber particles is stuck just inside beyond where wiping alone will reach. Moving around and gravity and sweat gradually work this stuff out onto the anus where it itches and can soil underwear. My solution is to always use water and swab out my anus as far up as my finger will reach. It usually takes three or four passes with rinsing my hand in running water, then re-swabbing. You will know when you are clean by how it feels and how much discoloration there is in the sink when you hold your finger under the stream of water. Eventually it will come out clean. Then I lightly dab the wet anus with toilet paper without wiping - wiping a wet bottom leaves too much paper residue. If the dabbed paper is very discolored, I repeat the entire process until it is comes clean. Finally I always follow up with a wet wash rag then dry on a towel. Wiping with toilet paper alone just does not work for me and leaves me feeling dirty and requires repeated trips to re-wipe. I felt ashamed the first several time of doing this but it works 100% for me and I have just developed a technique where I can do this without making a mess and just wash my hands really good two times, including under my fingernails with antibacterial soap. It's amazing bow many little pieces of gritty fiber and tomato seeds etc. are suspended up in there. It's also so wonderful to always feel totally clean down there and have clean fresh smelling underwear, even after a long walk or drive - something that would always result in soiling and itching before I started using this cleaning procedure. This may not solve everyone's issue, but this simple procedure has changed my life and just become routine to the point where I just do it and don't even think about it anymore.