Anal fissures can make having a bowel movement (pooping) very painful. The pain may make it hard for you to have a bowel movement, causing constipation (having fewer bowel movements than usual). They can also cause bleeding from your anus.
The pain and discomfort of an anal fissure usually gets worse when a person has a bowel movement. The pain tends to linger a long time afterward. There may be bleeding from the tear as well. Constipation may also occur as the condition gets worse.
Anal fissures usually heal within a few weeks without the need for treatment. But they can easily come back if they're caused by constipation that remains untreated. In some people, symptoms from anal fissures last 6 weeks or more (chronic anal fissures).
Do not use over-the-counter ointments or creams without talking to your doctor. Some of these preparations may not help. Use baby wipes or medicated pads, such as Preparation H or Tucks, instead of toilet paper to clean after a bowel movement. These products do not irritate the anus.
Try taking stool softeners or laxatives to make bowel movements less painful. Ask your doctor how long you should take laxatives. Sit in a tub filled with 8 to 10 centimetres (3 to 4 inches) of warm water for 20 minutes, 2 or 3 times a day. This is called a sitz bath.
Treatment. The fissure won't heal without good blood supply, not unlike any other wound on the body. Unfortunately, the spasm caused by the exposed muscle keeps blood away from the area, making it unlikely to heal.
Some fissures can be minimally symptomatic, but most patients present with severe pain, bleeding, or itching. The pain can be localized to the anus but can radiate to the buttocks, upper posterior thighs, or lower back. Often the pain is triggered by a bowel movement, can last for hours, and can be severe.
See your doctor if you have pain during bowel movements or notice blood on stools or toilet paper after a bowel movement.
Most people will fully heal within 2 to 4 weeks.
Living with anal fissures
Avoid constipation or large or hard bowel movements. Drink enough water to stay well hydrated. Maintain a routine bowel habit. Ask your healthcare provider about what this should be for you.
The crack in the skin causes severe pain and discomfort. When this cut starts to fill back, when the pain and discomfort go away, this is the sign of fissure healing. About 90% of the anal fissure heal with home remedy while 40% of the long-term anal fissure heal after surgical treatment.
Fissures are usually caused by trauma to the inner lining of the anus. A hard, dry bowel movement is typically responsible, but loose stools and diarrhea can also be the cause.
Walking promotes overall good health. It lowers the chances of formation of hard stools and stimulates and promotes blood flow which is helpful if you have a fissure.
It is often described as feeling like passing broken glass. Typical anal fissure symptoms are a sensation of tearing, ripping or burning and usually a small amount of bright red bleeding during and after a bowel movement. While the condition can be very painful, it is not usually serious.
If someone has a chronic fissure, it is thought that the reason it has not healed is that the ring muscle (sphincter) that goes around the anus (back passage) has become so tense that the flow of blood to the lining of the anus is reduced.
Your doctor will likely ask about your medical history and perform a physical exam, including a gentle inspection of the anal region. Often the tear is visible. Usually this exam is all that's needed to diagnose an anal fissure. An acute anal fissure looks like a fresh tear, somewhat like a paper cut.
The symptoms of a fissure and a hemorrhoid can be similar. Either can cause pain, itching and bleeding. However, if you are in pain and don't feel an external lump, the condition is more likely to be a fissure. If you notice that you are leaking mucus from your anus, the problem is probably a hemorrhoid.
One of the main differences between anal fissures and hemorrhoids is that anal fissures tend to only show symptoms during bowel movements, while hemorrhoids tend to be painful throughout the day.
Dairy products: Milk, cheese and other heavy cream products should be avoided while you are suffering from symptoms of anal fissure. Red meat: Red meat is the hardest to digest and can delay stool passing, thus is not advisable to consume for people with symptoms or tendencies of anal fissure.
Nitroglycerin rectal ointment is used to relieve moderate to severe pain caused by chronic anal fissures. An anal fissure is a tear in the skin around the opening for bowel movements, also known as the anus or rectal area. Nitroglycerin belongs to the group of medicines called nitrates.
The first step in treatment is to increase the amount of fluid and fiber in your diet to make stools softer and easier to pass. That eases pressure on the fissure during bowel movements. Taking a bulking agent, such as Metamucil, Benefiber or Citrucel, can help.
Sitz bath: A warm sitz bath may relieve you from pain and discomfort due to anal fissures. The simplest Indian home remedy for anal fissures is to fill warm water in a bathtub and add a few drops of betadine liquid by mixing it thoroughly. Sit in a straight posture in the tub for about 10-20 minutes.
Anal Fissures and Colon Cancer
People with colon cancer may develop anal fissures, but anal fissures don't cause colon cancer or increase your risk of getting colon cancer. Even if your anal fissure heals completely, it can come back after you have a hard bowel movement. This doesn't mean you have colon cancer.