METHODS

Design:

randomised, placebo controlled, crossover trial.

Allocation:

concealed.*

Blinding:

blinded (patients and healthcare providers).*

Follow up period:

4 and 9 weeks.

Setting:

proctological outpatient clinics in a hospital and affiliated ambulatory clinic in Jerusalem, Israel.

Patients:

44 patients (mean age 50 y, 55% women) who had chronic idiopathic anal itching for ⩾3 months that had not responded to traditional treatment.

Intervention:

a thin layer of perianal topical capsaicin cream, 0.006% 3 times each day for 4 weeks (n = 22) or menthol cream 1% (placebo) (n = 22). After a 1 week washout period, patients received the alternative treatment for 4 weeks. No patients received topical steroids or anaesthetics …