If you’re here, you’re likely looking for answers about anorectal hygiene, and possibly why you’ve been dealing with irritation or discomfort. The short answer to the question of whether or not to wash your butt with soap is, surprisingly, “no”.
The skin in this area is especially thin and sensitive. Soap can strip away natural oils and cause irritation. According to doctors and proctologists like myself, plain water is usually all that’s needed to clean up downstairs.
The following discusses doctor-approved anal hygiene and why less is often the better option.
The Best Way to Clean Your Anus (Doctor-Approved)
First and foremost, the best way to keep the anus clean is to have a clean bowel movement. The one and done, the no-wiper. If the stool comes out long, solid, soft, and clean, you will notice when you wipe there is no residue. The toilet paper is clean. How do we accomplish this perfect poop? Easy, add raw psyllium fiber.
Psyllium is nature’s best fiber. It’s the ultimate regulator of mushy loose and hard stools. Psyllium is a non-medicinal plant which creates thousands of seeds rich in soluble and insoluble fiber. When the husk of the seed is ground into a powder we can shake and drink to add 5g of fiber. Adding psyllium will create the perfect poop the majority of the time keeping the anus naturally clean.
When cleaning after a bowel movement, it’s best to use water alone. Water effectively removes fecal matter without stripping the natural protective oils around the anus. Many medical professionals advise that improper or over-cleaning is the culprit for most anal irritation rather than poor hygiene. The way to properly and safely clean the rectal area is refreshingly simple:
- Use room temperature to warm water only
- Be gentle – no need to rub or scrub
- Avoid any hygiene products to the anus
- Dry carefully with a soft cloth or air dry
This can be done using:
- A bidet
- A handheld shower head
- Rinsing while showering
Why The Anal Area Is So Sensitive
The skin around the anus is unlike any other skin on the body. It’s rich in nerve endings that are consistently exposed to friction and moisture, which leads to irritation. To combat irritation and possibly infection, the body naturally has a microbiome that forms a barrier of oils. If you use soap, especially antibacterial soap, it will strip away these protective oils.
When this occurs, you may experience symptoms like:
- Itching
- Burning
- Stinging
- Redness and inflammation
- Worsening hemorrhoids
- Signs of anal fissures
Preserving the skin barrier is essential, and it’s key to remember that clean doesn’t equal dry.
Is It Ever Okay to Use Soap on Your Butt?
No, there are no soaps or cleansers that are healthy or necessary for the anal skin.
Common Anal Hygiene Mistakes to Avoid
These habits frequently cause or worsen anal discomfort and should be avoided:
- Using regular or antibacterial soap
- Scrubbing with washcloths, loofahs, or brushes
- Overwashing or cleaning more than once a day
- Using scented wet wipes or toilet paper
- Scratching or rubbing aggressively
Ironically, many people adopt these habits because of itching and irritation and unknowingly make the problem worse. For some reason, we feel the anus needs to be squeaky clean, but we don’t feel that way about our mouths, which also have a lot of bacteria.
In fact, we don’t brush our teeth with soap to rid all the bacteria. Why? Because we have taste buds and soap tastes like crap. If we had tastebuds in and around our anus we wouldn’t be using soap or cleansers there either. And no, don’t use toothpaste to clean the anus.
Anal Hygiene With Hemorrhoids, Itching, and Fissures
If you are already having rectal symptoms that are worrying you, using soap can significantly aggravate them further. Below are ways to care for the most common anal health issues:
If You Have Hemorrhoids
- Start psyllium fiber to have a clean bowel movement. The increased bulk also lowers anal pressure which helps shrink hemorrhoids
- Avoid soap entirely
- Use warm water only after bowel movements
- Use bidets and sitz baths for relief
- Pat dry gently or air dry
If You Have Anal Itching
- Say no to all soaps, cleansers, and wipes
- Cleanse with water only, use a bidet
- Keep the area dry but not overly cleaned
If You Have Fissures
- Gentle rinsing only
- No scrubbing
- Avoid any friction
- Stay away from anything that would dry or sting
Simple Daily Anal Hygiene Routine
Below is a straightforward doctor-approved anal hygiene routine:
- Add Psyllium fiber
- After bowel movements: Rinse with water (use a bidet or a showerhead sprayer if available).
- In the shower: Use a hand held shower head in spray mode and spray the anus with water. This acts like a bidet. Alternatively, if you don’t have a hand held shower head, let warm water run over the area with no scrubbing or soap.
- Drying: Pat gently or air dry.
- Daily habits: Wear breathable underwear and avoid excess sweating.
Easy and simple routine with no products required.
The Bottom Line on Washing Your Butt
Soap and/or cleansers are simply not needed or recommended when cleaning your butt. If you do use soap, it might be the culprit for any itching or irritation. Just water is enough for cleansing and is recommended by medical professionals for long-term rectal health. When it comes to this area, less is more is the best approach.
If you have symptoms of itching, pain, bleeding, or irritation, it is time to reach out to a proctologist. Ongoing symptoms can signal conditions like hemorrhoids, fissures, infections or even cancer that require medical evaluation and treatment.
Contact us at Thousand Oaks Proctology for professional and compassionate care.