Itchy bum...and a high PH?

So, embarrassing as this is, I have had a very itchy anus/rectum the last couple of days. Came on quite suddenly and not sure what is causing it.

I figured that maybe my feces ph was acidic, as I know someone who once had the same symptom and thats what it was in her case, having started a diet which made her ph acidic. So I tested with some litmus paper and it was somewhere around 8-9. Pretty alkaline.
I'm guessing this might well be causing the itching, but what does it mean? I am surprised it is this alkaline.

I don't think it's about wiping in this case as my stools are pretty well formed right now. When I wipe the tissue comes away clean (too much info, I know. Sorry).
I bath every day and haven't changed what I use - just some Epsom salts and the same bubble bath as always.
No haemorrhoids, no new underwear, same laundry tablets. No sign Of worms. No new meds.

I did some research and ph varies but is normally around 6.8-7.5. Mucus is apparently quite alkaline, so it could be that but I'm not convinced it was. Your right about the bacteria liking it acidic. I feel frustrated as I am trying so hard to fix my gut flora after destroying them on abx treatment. This obviously will not be helping at all.

pb4 said...
Pinworms....those cause itchy butt, usually at night time but can also happen anytime of the day. Have you noticed any tiny little white worms on the TP or stool?

No, I can't see any. I don't think it's that. Had that when I was a kid and it's a different kind of itch.

I checked the ph again and actually found the stool is pretty close to neutral at about 7.5 but the mucus, which i have a lot of at the moment, is about 9. That might be the problem, perhaps. From what I read the mucus is alkaline as it is an environment that bacteria don't like. It might be that it is irritating the skin though. That's my best guess at the moment.

A fungal infection like thrush can cause you to have an itch bottom also.
Just something else to think about :)