PRURITUS ANI

PRURITUS ANI: Excerpt from Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs

Itching at the anus is almost always due to anal or rectal conditions, the most likely of which is hemorrhoids. If there is frequent passage of bright red blood in the stool along with a painful bowel movement, one should look for an anal fissure. If there is a chronic discharge, one should look for an anal fissure or rectal prolapse. Pinworms must be sought in children. Finally, contact dermatitis and candidiasis are always possible. If candidiasis is the cause, a search for diabetes mellitus should be made.

DIAGNOSTIC WORKUP

If the physical examination is normal, examination with an anoscope is essential. Sigmoidoscopy should also be done but is not adequate to detect hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and fistulas. If these are negative, a trial of antifungal creams (Lotrimin®, etc.) should be given before other expensive diagnostic tests are ordered. A Scotch tape test and stool for ovum and parasites are useful, especially in children.

Book Source Details

• Book Title: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs
• Author(s): R. Douglas Collins
• Year of Publication: 2003
• Copyright Details: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs, Copyright © 2003 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

More About Heat rash

• Back to disease: Heat rash: Introduction
• Next Book Extract About Heat rash: PRURITUS, GENERALIZED (Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs)
• More Book Extracts: All Online Books for Heat rash

More Medical Textbooks Online about Heat rash

Review other book chapters online related to Heat rash:

Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

More About This Book: Title: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs Authors: R. Douglas Collins Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Copyright: 2003 ISBN: 0-7817-3805-9

 » Next page: PRURITUS, GENERALIZED (Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs)

Rate This Website

What do you think about the features of this website? Take our user survey and have your say:

Website User Survey

Medical Tools & Articles:

Next articles:

• PRURITUS, GENERALIZED (Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs)
• PRURITUS, VULVAE (Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs)
• Pruritus (In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)
• PRURITUS (Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)
• Pruritus (Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))

Tools & Services:

• Bookmark this page
• Symptom Search
• Symptom Checker
• Medical Dictionary
• Give your feedback

Medical Articles:

• Disease & Treatments Search
• Misdiagnosis Center
• Full list of interesting articles

Forums & Message Boards

• Ask or answer a question at the Boards:
• I cannot get a diagnosis. Please help.
• Tell us your medical story.
• Share your misdiagnosis story.
• What is the best treatment for my condition?
• See all the Boards.

Enter your search terms Submit search form
Search The Web Search wrongdiagnosis.com

Common Health Mistakes

Symptom
Checker

Search Specialists by State and City