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I feel unclean even when I wipe my butt several times after I poop. Why?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I am a 40-year-old male, and I have a hard time wiping my butt after I poop. I have to stand up to wipe because I am a big guy. It is hard for me to reach my back. Toilet paper does not seem to do it. I do not feel clean even after wiping myself.

After taking a shower, I feel clean, but I do not feel completely clean. I used a scented soap on a washcloth and scrubbed my butt crack. I have hemorrhoids.

I clean my butt vigorously, and sometimes I bleed. I wipe until I do not have anything on my back. Sometimes I notice some poop stains in my underwear even after I wash them. This makes me feel irritated. Kindly suggest.

Thank you.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Please mention whether you have itching after you poop or any painful sensation after pooping. You seem to have obsessive-compulsive disorder. Bleeding occurs due to excessive and vigorous wiping and not because of hemorrhoids. You are not able to reach your back as you are a big guy.

I suggest applying Smuth ointment (Lidocaine, Calcium Dobesilate, Hydrocortisone, and Zinc) to your butt crack to reduce irritation. Keeping yourself clean is a good habit, but you should not be overzealous in doing it. Kindly attach the affected region and so I can guide you better. Sometimes, anal skin tags can also cause irritation. Fungal infections can occur, and so they can also cause similar symptoms.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.

Differential diagnosis

You can have an anal tag or a fungal infection.

Treatment plan

It can be decided after answering my questions.

Medically reviewed byDr. K. Shobana

Published At December 7, 2020
Reviewed AtNovember 11, 2025

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