TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Pruritus Ani A1 - Doherty, Gerard M. PY - 2010 T2 - Quick Answers Surgery AB - • Severe perianal itching, often at night• When chronic, skin becomes white, leathery, and thickened• Usually idiopathic• Most patients have tried many over-the-counter preparations without relief• Agents may exacerbate the problem by keeping the perineum moist, causing further irritation, or by creating a contact dermatitis• Poor cleansing of the perineum may lead to irritation• Frequent washing with soaps and detergents dries the skin, also leading to pruritus• Pinworms (Enterobius vermicularis) are the most common cause of perianal itching in children• Pruritus may result from tight clothing, obesity, and living in a hot climate• When a specific cause cannot be found, it is considered idiopathic SN - PB - The McGraw-Hill Companies CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/04/19 UR - accesssurgery.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=58098839 ER -