The anus can be highly sensitive to pain and irritation. Depending on the cause, a swollen anus can feel warm, cause sharp or burning pain (especially after a bowel movement), and even produce bleeding and pus.
The anus is the opening at the end of your anal canal. It consists of glands, ducts, blood vessels, mucus, tissues, and nerve endings. The rectum sits between your colon and anus and acts as a holding chamber for stool.
When pressure in your rectum becomes too great, the internal ring of muscle called the anal sphincter relaxes to allow stool to pass through your anal canal, the anus, and out of your body.
Anal swelling can have a number of causes. Most of them aren’t concerning but some can be serious. See a doctor immediately if you have:
- rectal bleeding that won’t stop
- severe pain
- fever
- anal discharge
The cause may be harmless or it may signal something life-threatening, such as cancer. Typical causes of anal swelling are:
Anusitis
This is a common disorder. It usually involves inflammation of the anal lining and is often misdiagnosed as hemorrhoids. Symptoms include pain and a wet, sometimes bloody discharge. Anusitis is commonly caused by:
- an acidic diet including coffee and citrus
- stress
- excessive diarrhea
External hemorrhoids
External hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in the mucosal lining of the anus. They’re common, affecting 3 out of 4 adults. They may result from:
- straining during a bowel movement
- low-fiber diet
- chronic diarrhea or constipation
External hemorrhoids can appear as a lump and may be painful and bleed, though some hemorrhoids don’t produce any discomfort.
Anal fissure
An anal fissure is a tear in the lining of the anal canal. It’s caused by:
- hard bowel movements
- chronic diarrhea
- irritable bowel syndrome
- tight anal sphincter muscle
- anal tumors or infections, rarely
Anal fissures are common and are often mistaken for hemorrhoids. They can cause:
- pain during a bowel movement that lasts for up to a few hours
- bleeding
- lump near the fissure
Anal abscess
When a gland in the anus becomes clogged and then infected, it can produce an anal abscess. This is technically defined as a collection of pus around inflamed tissue. It can produce:
- pain
- swelling
- lump around the anus
- fever
According to Harvard Health, more than half of anal abscesses occur in people between ages 20 to 40. Men are also more commonly affected than women.
The gland becomes infected when bacteria, fecal matter, or foreign material invades through tiny cracks. Certain conditions, such as colitis, can increase your risk.
Anal fistula
This is a tunnel that forms inside the anus and exits through the skin on the buttocks. According to Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, half of those who have had an anal abscess will develop a fistula. Symptoms include:
- anal swelling
- irritation
- pain
- itching
- stool leakage
Perianal Crohn’s disease
Crohn’s disease is a hereditary condition that causes chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. Most of the time it affects the small intestine, but it can affect the entire digestive tract, including the anus.
According to a 2017 article, up to
Anal sex and play
Anal swelling can occur after rough anal sex or insertion of a sex toy into the anus.
The rectum is connected to the anus via the narrow anal canal. Given their close proximity, it makes sense that what causes swelling in the anus can also cause swelling in the rectum. Conditions that can cause rectal and anal swelling include:
- internal hemorrhoids
- Crohn’s disease
- sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea, herpes, and human papillomavirus
Conditions like hemorrhoids can often be seen visually or felt when a doctor inserts a gloved finger into your anal canal through a digital exam. Fissures or fistulas that aren’t apparent from visual inspection can be identified via:
- Anoscopy. This is a tube with a light on the end that allows your doctor to see inside the anus and rectum.
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy. This procedure, using a flexible tube with a light and camera, allows your doctor to look closely at the rectum and lower intestinal tract to see if something like Crohn’s disease is contributing to your symptoms.
- Colonoscopy. This is a procedure that uses a long, flexible tube with a camera inserted into the anus to allow viewing of the rectum and colon. This is generally used to rule out cancer.
Treatment varies by diagnosis.
Anusitis
- dietary changes, including removing foods that irritate the digestive tract
- stress reduction
- icing the area by wrapping ice in a towel
- creams with numbing agents
- hydrocortisone cream to combat swelling
- warm sitz baths by soaking for 20 minutes two to three times a day
- ice
- adding 25 to 35 grams of fiber to your diet per day, including fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and beans
- high-fiber diet
- OTC stool softeners
- warm baths
- lidocaine cream
External hemorrhoids
Anal fissure
In an older study,
Anal abscess
Surgical drainage is considered the
Anal fistula
The fistula’s tunnel may be opened, plugged, or tied off with surgery.
Perianal Crohn’s disease
- antibiotics
- surgery
- periodic icing
- warm baths
- OTC pain relievers and anti-inflammatories
Anal sex
Get immediate medical attention if you have:
- anal bleeding that won’t stop, especially if you feel dizzy or lightheaded
- increasing pain
- anal pain with a fever or chills
See a doctor if you have anal pain and:
- changes in your bowel movements
- rectal bleeding
- you find no relief from self-care techniques
In most cases, anal swelling is more uncomfortable than dangerous. Try at-home measures like over-the-counter numbing creams, a high-fiber diet, pain relievers, and warm baths.
If you don’t find relief, talk to a doctor about medical treatments that can help reduce anal swelling and get you on the road to recovery.