To prevent anal itching, you need to wash the area properly, keeping the area clean, cool and dry (avoid moisture), avoiding irritants, modify your diet to prevent diarrhea, and protect the skin with ointment when needed.
-Keep the area clean and don’t irritate the skin. After a bowel movement, use plain water to clean the area. You may use a mild soap. Don’t scrub.
–Keep the skin dry. After washing the area, dry with a towel, toilet paper, or a dryer set on low. Wear cotton underwear (it absorbs moisture), loose clothing, and avoiding tight-fitting clothing. because they can trap moisture. Don’t use cornstarch powder because it can allow bacteria to grow in the area. Unmedicated talcum powder may be used to keep the area dry.
-Protect the skin: Don’t scratch because this will further irritate the skin and may lead to inflammation. Keep your nails. If it itches a lot and you are at risk of scratching at night, wear gloves before going to sleep. You may apply a cold compress or take a lukewarm bath.
–Avoid irritants like strong soaps, bubble baths, genital deodorants, moist wipes, or other products that may irritate the anus. Avoid dietary irritants like Coffee, Cola, Beer, Tomatoes, Chocolate, Tea, Citrus, and fruits that may cause diarrhea. Avoid laxatives.
-Have regular, soft but firm bowel movements: Eat more high-fiber foods like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. The goal is to get stools that are soft, but well formed, and easy to clean with one wipe. If stools are still soft or too frequent, use a fiber supplement like Psyllium husk – Metamucil or other fiber types. The goal is 20 to 35 grams of fiber each day.
-Drink lots of water with the fiber supplement. At least 2 liters or 67 oz. That is eight 8 ounce glasses.
-Barrier protection: Apply a barrier cream like zinc oxide ointment (Desitin, Balmex) or Calmoseptine (Menthol and Zinc Oxide topical) cream BID to protect the skin. Petroleum jelly may also be used.
–Balneol (Main ingredients: Water, mineral oil, propylene glycol, and lanolin oil.) – Use as needed for discomfort.
-Itching meditation: Use 1% hydrocortisone cream (Preparation H Anti-Itch Cream) two times a day for itching. Don’t use hydrocortisone more than two weeks because of side effects like thinning of the skin.
Resources
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anal-itching/basics/lifestyle-home-remedies/con-20023539