bubble_chart Concept

"Anal itching, also known as persistent itching around the anal skin, is a symptom that is difficult to cure and lasts for a long time.

This condition is referred to as 'wind-heat sore (pityriasis rosea)' in Zhubing Yuanhou Lun, and as '朐癢' in Wushi'er Bingfang. Later medical texts refer to it as 'anal itching', etc.

Various diseases such as hemorrhoids, fistulas, anal fissures, anal sores, ringworm, warts, roundworms, pinworms, and others can lead to secondary anal itching. The focus of this discussion is on the persistent itching that originates from the anal skin, excluding anal itching secondary to other various diseases."

bubble_chart Pattern Analysis

1. Wind-heat Stagnation Knot︰Anal itching, burning and distending sensation, as if scorched by fire or bitten by insects, unbearably itchy. The skin may even be scratched until it breaks, bleeding and cracking, with extreme restlessness, inability to sleep at night, bitter taste in the mouth, dry throat, constipation, dark urine, unbearable suffering, low spirits, irritability, thin and greasy tongue coating with red edges, and slightly rapid pulse. This condition is often caused by wind pathogens transforming into heat and attacking the lungs, with lung heat descending to the large intestine and anus. It is characterized by anal itching accompanied by a burning sensation, as if scorched by fire or bitten by insects, extreme restlessness, constipation, dark urine, bitter taste in the mouth, and dry throat. Treatment should focus on dispersing wind and clearing heat, as well as promoting bowel movements to purge fire. The recommended formula is Gentian Liver-Draining Decoction with additions such as Mulberry Leaf, Black-tail Snake, Sophora, and Rhubarb Rhizoma.
2. Wind-dampness with Heat︰Anal itching, oozing dampness, aggravated by movement and friction, anal prolapse discomfort, fatigue and heavy body, abdominal distension and fullness, reduced appetite, restless sleep, thick and greasy tongue coating, soggy and slippery pulse. Mostly caused by wind pathogen mixed with dampness-heat stagnating in the anal skin. Characterized by anal itching accompanied by oozing dampness, anal prolapse discomfort, fatigue and heavy body, and thick and greasy tongue coating. Treatment should focus on dispersing wind and clearing heat, strengthening the spleen, and eliminating dampness. Prescription: Wind-Dispersing Powder plus Glabrous Greenbrier, densefruit pittany root-bark, belvedere fruit, etc.
3. Blood Deficiency Producing Wind︰Severe anal itching, dry skin, loss of luster and elasticity, rhagades resembling spider webs, involving the scrotum or labia, accompanied by dry mouth and tongue, emaciation, insomnia, red tongue, and thin rapid pulse. Mostly caused by blood deficiency producing wind transforming into dryness, leading to malnutrition of the anal skin. Characterized by unbearable anal itching, restlessness, dry and cracked skin, loss of luster and elasticity. Treatment should focus on nourishing blood and extinguishing wind, nourishing yin and moistening dryness. Prescriptions include Angelica Decoction and dispelling wind Huanji Pill.
4. Pinworm Infection︰

Anal itching is primarily caused by wind, but it can be differentiated into wind-heat, wind-dampness, and blood deficiency producing wind. Clinical diagnosis should distinguish between deficiency and excess. Deficiency cases are often due to yin deficiency and blood deficiency, while excess cases are mostly caused by wind, heat, and dampness stagnation. For anal itching caused by conditions such as parasitic infestation, hemorrhoids, or fistulas, treatment should target the underlying cause.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Yizong Jinjian Waike Xinfa Key Points. Buttocks: "This condition is also known as wind gan, occurring between the buttocks and thighs, shaped like millet or beans, red in color and itchy, in severe cases it becomes inflamed and painful, extending to the anus, as intense as a fire. It is caused by sitting on sun-exposed benches during the summer or sitting for long periods in damp and shady places, leading to the stagnation of summer heat dampness heat toxin in the muscles.