Anus skin irritation and rash?

I noticed a few days back after I went to the bathroom that I was bleeding.  I cleaned up and took a shower and looked with a mirror what could be going on down there.  What I found initially scared me and I'm rather confused.  I'm not sure if this is a result of prolonged irritation and scratching of the anal region, or if it's a bacteria or infection of some kind.  I've had an itchy anal problem for about a month or so and i was using moist wipes and trying to be gentle with the area.

It's on the anus and extends out to where my butt skin meets and and is light pink/red in color and looks as if the skin has been rubbed raw, and is cracked (but not flaky or or dry).  It looked like the skin is dead and looks as if it wants to peel off but it wont.  I'm really concerned with it and i tried using regular hemorrhoid ointment at first to see if it was anything to do with inflammation and i've tried some ointment to see if it were an infection.  It's been a few days, and I am now trying a warm sitz bath and keeping the area dry to see if it just needs to dry out.  It's VERY itchy and I'm not sure about the next steps.  I'm really worried because i've never had a problem like this before and I'm not sure how I got to this point.  

Thank you

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it can be hemorrhoids or anal warts. Anal warts are cauliflower-like protuberances and are usually symptomless. They are spread through direct skin-to-skin contact during oral, genital, or anal sex with an infected partner.

To confirm the diagnosis I suggest you to get it evaluated from a dermatologist.  It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.