Proper wiping after a bowel movement is not only essential for achieving a crisp and fresh bum, but also for preventing irritation and infection.
Excessive or improper wiping can cause a range of medical problems.
In an attempt to feel crisp and clean, many people wipe too hard or too many times leading to irritation, and worse, injury and/or tearing of the delicate skin of the anus.
The use of a wet wipe solution on toilet paper that is both moisturising, soothing, and of course, poo-dissolving, would provide the healthiest way to wipe by reducing wiping effort while increasing wiping efficiency.
Complications of improper wiping
Anal Fissure
According to Dr. Evan Goldstein, a rectal surgeon in New York City, the most common butt-related injuries in his surgery are anal fissures caused by improper wiping.
An anal fissure is a tear in the skin of the anus. The skin in this area is quite delicate and thin, especially in women. Therefore, care should be taken to avoid harsh actions that could tear up the delicate skin, leading to pain, bleeding and/or itching within the anorectal area (the anatomical term for bum hole).
Those who have had an anal fissure know how debilitating this problem can be and those who are yet to experience an anal fissure should be able to imagine the discomfort and inconvenience brought to one’s daily routine by those unpleasant side effects.
Therefore, excessive or improper wiping should be dealt with in order to avoid or reduce the risk of developing an anal fissure especially since only 50% of anal fissures heal with non-surgical therapy. Unfortunately, an anal fissure can failure to heal without surgery or the tear can extend into the surrounding muscles.
Prunitis ani
Wiping hard or too much can also cause anal itching, caused by swelling of the tiny blood vessels just below the surface of the skin. Other causes include:
- Harsh detergents/soaps
- Fragrances
- Sweat
- Stool or remaining fecal matter
UTI and genital infection or irritation
In women, improper wiping can leave behind fecal matter, which can increase their risk for certain conditions such as:
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Labial irritation
- Vaginitis
To a lesser degree, men can also develop similar problems, including:
- UTIs
- Itching and/or general discomfort around genitals
Choosing the ideal wet wipe product
When in the market for a wet wipe product, consider the following:
- Baby wipes cannot be flushed as they will back up the septic tank
- Avoid alcohol as an ingredient and other irritants
- Opt for light soaps/detergents as harsh ones can cause dryness or anal itching
- Opt for unscented as perfume chemical can also irritate the skin
- Opt for soothing and healing ingredients. Try aloe vera - present in Poofum :)
- If you have an ostomy pouch, do not use baby wipes to clean it as these can cause irritation and may affect the sealing of the ostomy pouch