Anus praeter
An anus praeter (synonyms: artificial anus, enterostoma) is an artificially produced anus where the intestinal contents are drained through the abdominal wall. The creation of an anus praeter is always necessary when parts of the intestinal tube are diseased and have to be surgically removed. In addition, pronounced fecal incontinence may make the application of an anus praeter necessary.
In most cases (approximately 70 percent of those affected), the anus praeter is applied in the course of a malignant tumour of the rectum (rectal carcinoma). In addition, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, are among the most common reasons for the creation of an anus praeter. In the surgical creation of an anus praeter, a healthy end of the intestinal canal is fixed to the abdominal wall by sutures.
The other end of the intestinal canal must then be closed in the abdominal cavity or also led out through the abdominal wall. Since the ends of the intestine used for the anus praeter lack the sphincter muscle, the stool can only be emptied in this way without any voluntary influence. In order to be able to collect the discharged stool, an odour- and liquid-proof bag is fixed to the abdominal skin, directly above the anus praeter.
However, this must be changed at regular intervals. Since the creation of an anus praeter is also a surgical procedure, serious complications can occur. Skin irritations in the area of the anus praeter, which can develop into infections over time, are among the most common problems.
The reason for these skin symptoms is the constant contact of the skin surface with the stool. In addition, some of the affected patients react hypersensitively to the adhesive material of the collection bag. In addition, inflammatory reactions in the surgical site may occur immediately after the anus praeter is applied.
Wound healing disorders are also not uncommon in patients with anus praeter. If complications occur after the anus praeter has been fitted, a further surgical procedure is often necessary. Although many of the affected patients feel restricted in their everyday life, it must be noted that people with anus praeter can basically perform the same activities as other people.
Anus itches/anus hurts
Pronounced itching and pain in the anus (anal itch; pruritus ani) affects approximately one to five percent of the population. There can be a variety of causes for an anus that itches or burns. Both serious changes and comparatively harmless causes can cause the anus to itch and the affected patients to feel pain.
Severe pain in the area of the anus, which is accompanied by itching, is particularly common in diseases of the last section of the intestine (proctological diseases). Especially people who have strongly developed haemorrhoids often suffer from pain and itching of the anus. In addition, local inflammation or skin irritation caused by stool can cause the anus to itch and hurt.
Allergic reactions to care products and/or food can also cause the anus to itch for a short time. In these cases, however, the itching can usually be treated with skin care ointments and creams. A short-term itching of the buttocks that disappears without special measures does not necessarily require medical clarification.
However, if the itching persists over a longer period of time, a specialist should be consulted urgently. A doctor should also be consulted promptly in the event of pain in the area of the bowel outlet. The term “anal bleaching” (synonym: anal bleaching) refers to a process in which the skin in the area of the anus is lightened.
In the area of the anus, the skin surface of most people shows up as slightly darker than the surrounding skin. This is completely normal and usually has no pathological value. With the help of anus bleaching, however, the darker skin can be lightened so that its colour tone matches that of the surrounding skin surface.
In most cases acidic creams and lotions are used for this purpose. Especially vitamin A and ascorbic acid should be particularly suitable for bleaching the anus. To be able to bleach the skin of the anus, the special creams have to be applied regularly over a period of about one month.
The ingredients of the creams used have the ability to inhibit enzymes which are responsible for the storage of colour particles. As soon as these enzymes resume their activity, they begin to deposit pigments in the skin of the anus again. For this reason the skin cannot be permanently lightened by bleaching.
