Perianal skin conditions

Abstract

Patients with conditions affecting the perianal skin present to various clinics, from proctology to sexual health to general practice. The boundaries of such specialties as dermatology, infectious disease and gastrointestinal surgery are crossed by the range of diagnoses that underlie complaints in the perianal region. The problem may be local to the area, be an indication of intestinal disease or represent a manifestation of a generalized dermatological disorder. In the latter case, it is notable that the moist and warm environment of the perianal region often produces differing appearances to those characteristic of the disease elsewhere. The perianal region is a common site for presentation of sexually transmitted infections, which are addressed in detail.