title: Pruritus ani.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pruritus ani is a common condition with many causes, predominately anorectal pathology. There are some new insights and therapies, but the most recommendations are based on low-level evidence.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature search was carried out using Medline and the internet with the keywords 'pruritus ani' from 1950 to 2007.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A review of the evidence is presented and a management plan based on the elimination of irritants and scratching, general control measures and active treatment measures is offered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment of primary and secondary pruritus ani has a good prospect of regression of symptoms and skin changes.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, University College Hospital, London, UK. shahab@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Siddiqi
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vijay
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mahendran
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Warren