ANSWER (1):  Try over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone cream.

Note:  Itchy bottom is technically called Pruritus ani — the irritation of the skin around the anus, causing a desire to scratch.

Scientific evidence:

 Int J Colorectal Dis. 2007 Dec;22(12):1463-7. Epub 2007 May 30. 

1% hydrocortisone ointment is an effective treatment of pruritus ani: a pilot randomized controlled crossover trial.

Ten patients with primary Pruritus ani were randomly allocated to receive 1% hydrocortisone ointment or placebo for 2 weeks followed by the opposite treatment for a further 2-week period. 

Treatment with 1% hydrocortisone ointment produced  a 68% reduction in itch compared with placebo (P=0.019), a 75% improvement in the patient’s  score on a Quality of Life questionnaire (P=0.067), and a 81% reduction in the the irritation appearance score (P=0.01). 

The authors concluded that a short course of mild steroid ointment is effective for Pruritus ani. 

Click here for the  full journal abstract. 

Warning!!! 

  

1% hydrocortisone cream is a safe cream that can be bought over the counter without a doctor’s prescription.  But just to be on the safe side, check with your pharmacist to make sure it’s absolutely safe for you to use.

And remember, the cortisone cream just provides temporary relief from the itch; it doesn’t fix what’s causing the itch (unless, of course, the cause is constant scratching!)

If the itching persists, go see your doctor and try to work out the cause of the problem.  Pruritus ani is a common problem, especially in the elderly, and has  lots of possible causes.  This article gives you lots of information about possible causes.