It is not uncommon to see or hear people asking “can I use bacitracin on my anus?” to treat minor skin injuries around the anus. These injuries can be caused by many factors like sexual activities, diarrhea or constipation, muscle spasms. anal itching can sometimes cause irritation of the anus. To relieve the discomfort or treat the minor cuts, many people opt for topical creams and ointments like bacitracin.
WHAT CAUSES ANAL CUTS AND ITCHING
Anal itching is irritation of the skin around the anus, the itching is followed by the desire to scratch. Scratching the anus to relieve the itching can lead to cuts or tears that can lead to burning and soreness of the anal area. To reduce the itching, tears or cuts, some over-the-counter creams and ointments are used on the anus. Most of these ointments are not meant for sensitive areas like the anus and may cause complications.
There are some factors that can lead to itching and cuts like:
- Spicy foods and sauces that can cause irritation
- Antibiotics that causes yeast infection and itching of the anus.
- Hemorrhoids
- Abnormal growth of skin in the anus
- Diarrhea
- Sexual activities
- Muscle spasms.
WHAT IS BACITRACIN
Bacitracin is classified under antibiotic ointments and is used to prevent minor injuries on the skin like burns, cuts and scrapes from becoming infected. It is not used for large or deep injuries like serious burns, animal bites, puncture wounds or any injury that affect large part of the body. Bacitracin is also used to stop bacteria from growing in an injury. Bacitracin is only applied only on the skin, it is not meant to get into the eyes, mouth, nose or to be swallowed.
HOW IS BACITRACIN USED
Bacitracin is a topical cream which means it must only be used on the skin. There are instructions on the leaflet that comes with the pack, you can read the guidelines to better understand how to use especially if you are treating by yourself.
Before using the cream, you should wash the area with water and dry gently with a clean towel. Apply a small amount of the ointment all over the affected area. Apply it at least twice a day or as instructed by your doctor. Use the cream daily to get the best result. You may experience some side effects like rashes, severe itching, hives and swelling. If the side effects persist, you can discontinue using the ointment.
CAN I USE BACITRACIN ON MY ANUS
Bacitracin is never meant or advised to be used on the anus, it stops the growth of bacteria. It should interest you to know that the anus has microbiome. This microbiome is a natural group of bacteria that live in harmony within the anus, they do not cause harm to the anus. They are similar to the bacteria in the gut, they are important to the body and help to keep in balance and maintain healthy tissue and function of the area. They are also on the anus to prevent pathogens and fungi from growing on the anus
It is not advised to use bacitracin ointment on your anus because it can kill the bad bacteria and also the good ones. When these good bacteria are killed, pathogens and fungi can grow and cause health problems. Also, the absence of these anal microbiome can lead to poor tissue and epithelial health putting you at greater risk of localized damage, fissures, abscesses and certain infections.
WHAT CAN BE USED ON THE ANUS
There are many anal creams and ointments that can be used to treat itching, swelling, discomfort, tears and other problems of the anus. Some of these products are:
- Anusol-HC 2.5 % Rectal Cream
- Phenylephrine rectal cream or ointment used to treat swelling, itching and pain caused by hemorrhoids.
- Aspercreme Lidocaine
- Nifedipine ointment
- Hydrocortisone Cream.
HOME REMEDIES FOR TREATING ANAL CUTS AND TEARS
Since some topical creams and ointments should not be used on the anus, it is better to use some home remedies that will treat the cuts and relieve you of the pain and discomfort. Some of these remedies are:
1. Drinking Adequate Water
Water helps to keep the body hydrated and when the body is hydrated, digestion, bowel movement and healing of anal cuts are made easy. More water can also reduce the discomfort caused by passing out stools. Softer stools helps to make bowel movement easier and can avoid straining. Keeping the body hydrated can help to heal tears and cuts near the anus.
2. Proper Hygiene
Maintaining proper hygiene is a good way to treat cuts and prevent more years from occurring. Some bacterial infections can lead to cuts and tears. So reducing the attack of these bacteria is a good way to treat anal cuts and tears.
3. Olive Oil
Olive oil is a natural medicine that can help make bowel movement easier. Mixing olive oil with honey and beeswax can help with the pain and itching in the anus. To make the olive oil mixture, you should pour the same amount of honey, beeswax and olive oil in a bowl. You can heat in a microwave or place the bowl in another bowl of hot water to melt the beeswax. Apply the mixture when it has become cold on the anus, you should apply it at least twice a day. This mixture is effective and will give you maximum results.
4. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a natural lubricant that can easily pass through the skin as it contains medium-chain triglycerides. It can be used to treat anal cuts by applying it on the anus few times a day.
5. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is well known to have pain relieving properties. In fact, research has shown that applying topical creams that has aloe vera juice can treat chronic anal fissures (Smiles Gastroenterology). Get an aloe vera plant and scoop out the fro with a spoon. Apply this gel on your anus thoroughly at least twice or thrice a day. You will start to see results in few days.
6. Flax Seeds
Flax seeds can make bowel movement easier because they have laxative properties. Flax seeds have lots of fiber and are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. The fiber content helps to prevent constipation which is one of the causes of anal fissures. To treat the tears and cuts with flax seeds, you should mix a tablespoon of the seeds with a glass of water, drink the mixture before going to bed so as to make bowel movement easier by morning.
7. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is another natural juice that contains a water-soluble fiber called pectin. Pectin helps with food digestion and easy bowel movements. To use apple cider vinegar for treating anal fissures. You can mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and a tablespoon of honey with a glass of water, you can drink this twice a day to get relief.
8. Hot Sitz Bath
This does not only reduce the pain caused by the cuts, it will also help with the swelling and itching as well. You can fill a large bowl or tub with warm water, add few drops of essential oil or epsom salt to the water for extra relieve and mix well. Sit in the bowl or tub for about 15 to 20 minutes. For faster results, you can have the bath twice or thrice daily.
9. Eat More Fiber Rich Food
Foods that are rich in fiber help to prevent hard stool that can result to cuts. Some of these foods are pumpkin seeds, soya beans, peas, wheat bran and others. The results of these home remedies can be permanent or temporary depending on how severe the cuts are.
Also, they must be done consistently and for a long time to get complete treatment. It may require some time to heal from the anal tears but the improvements will be noticed. Even after the treatment, you can continue with some of the remedies as they are safe for the body and have health benefits.
There are some things you can do so as not to get these anal cuts and irritation. Some of which are:
- Consuming more fruits and vegetables especially those that have high water content.
- Fibrous fruits and vegetables are encouraged to be taken to avoid constipation.
- Stay away from sexual activities that involves the anus.
- If there are cuts in your anus, you should avoid doing strenuous activities that will enlarge these cuts.
CONCLUSION
Bacitracin is a topical cream that is used to treat minor cuts and also to stop bacteria from growing, it is not meant for the anus. This is because the anus has good bacteria that helps to keep it balanced and prevent other bacteria and fungi from growing in or around the anus.
When bacitracin is used on the anus, these good bacteria are destroyed. If you have cuts on your anus or need to apply ointment on the anus, there are other creams that are meant for that area. You can also use natural oils to help treat anal cuts.