An anal fissure is a cut, crack, tear or open sore in the lining of the anus (the opening through which stools pass out of the body) that extends upwards into the anal canal.
Symptoms include bleeding, burning sensation, and pain during and after passing stools. The various causes of an anal fissure include constipation, long-term diarrhea, pregnancy, childbirth, or sometimes an underlying medical condition.
An anal fissure can be prevented by changing eating and lifestyle habits. Eat a high-fiber diet, including legumes, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Keep yourself well hydrated, restrict the consumption of alcohol and caffeine, stay active and exercise, and avoid holding on to the urge to pass stools.
Treatment depends on the severity; in most cases, anal fissures will improve on their own. To provide symptomatic relief, your doctor may recommend topical creams and medications. Surgery may be considered in whom non-surgical treatments have proven to be ineffective.
You may be suffering from anal fissure if you have the following signs and symptoms:
Pain, sometimes severe, during or after bowel movements that can last up to several hours
Blood stains on the stool or toilet paper after a bowel movement
A visible crack or tear in the skin around the anus
A small lump on the skin near the anal fissure
Burning and itching sensation around the anus
Discomfort when urinating or painful urination
Foul-smelling discharge
An anal fissure is a tear, open sore, or cut in the anus that develops in the lining of the large intestine around the anus and is mainly caused by injury to the area. This can happen when you pass a hard, dry, large stool. Along with this, several risk factors may lead to anal fissures or increase the likelihood of the disease.
Are you confused between anal fissures and piles?
Though they both can cause similar symptoms, they are different conditions. Anal fissures are tiny cracks or tears present in the anus area while piles are mainly the swollen blood vessels. Just like anal fissures, people suffering from piles have to maintain an intake of a fiber-loaded diet to prevent painful, hard stools.
Read to know more about other common problems of the anal area which can be real trouble.
There are two types of anal fissures classified based on their causes. They include:
It is a condition in which large, hard, and dry stools are difficult or painful to pass. Constipation is more likely to cause lesions in the anal region during a bowel movement.
Here is an informative video about various causes of constipation and their effective management.
Diarrhea can also cause fissures by drying the skin until it cracks open. As the anal skin is very sensitive, prolonged diarrhea can cause an anal fissure, leading to severe pain.
Read more about what to eat and what to avoid if you have diarrhea.
Pregnant women tend to develop anal fissures toward the end of their pregnancy. The lining of the tissues in the anal area may also tear during childbirth.
Pregnant women suffer from constipation.
Here are a few tips which can help you manage constipation during pregnancy.
The spasm of anal muscles can lead to the tearing of the inner lining of the anus during bowel movements. This can lead to the development of a chronic anal fissure.
Any trauma to the anal tissue can lead to an anal fissure. There is a high risk of developing anal fissures during rough anal intercourse, or putting things into your anus can overstretch the skin and cause a fissure.
HIV-associated anal lesions are the most disabling of anal diseases in HIV+ patients. Clinically anal fissure results in pain with defecation, but HIV-associated anal lesions are more likely to result in disabling pain unrelated to bowel movements.
Anal tuberculosis can cause non-healing and recurrent ulcer-like fissures in the anal region.
Some conditions that may cause anal fissures to include:
Crohn's disease ( a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes swelling of the digestive tract)
Ulcerative colitis (an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes swelling and ulcers in the digestive tract)
Other inflammatory bowel diseases in the anal area.
STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) like syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, chancroid
Minor trauma in the anal region caused by mountain biking, insertion of a rectal thermometer, enema tip, or ultrasound probe.
Weight loss surgery can induce explosive diarrhea.
Minor anal fissures may not cause many problems and heal on their own. However, chronic cases may need attention. Diagnosing the cause can help with the treatment plan as well. Diagnosis consists of the following:
The doctor will take a detailed medical history of the patient’s symptoms, eating habits, toilet habits, and medicines taken for past or current health conditions.
This involves a visual inspection of the anal region by gently separating the buttocks. If separating the buttocks does not reveal a fissure, a more vigorous rectal examination might be required. It is done after the application of a topical anesthetic to the anus and anal canal. A cotton-tipped swab may be gently inserted into the anus to localize the source of pain.
If rectal bleeding is present, an endoscopic evaluation is necessary to exclude the possibility of a more serious disease of the anus and rectum such as colon cancer or solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (which causes rectal bleeding and straining during bowel movements). A tiny, flexible tubular device is inserted into the anus to inspect the entire colon.
We should never ignore the early signs of any disease. And the best way to identify it is an annual preventive health checkup. What are you waiting for?
The following preventive measures and tips can help prevent anal fissures:
Fiber improves stool consistency and adds bulk to bowel movements. Intake of foods rich in fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains, greatly reduces the risk of getting constipation and thereby anal fissures. A minimum of 18 grams of fiber is recommended for adults daily.
Here is your guide to a fiber-rich diet that improves your bowel movements.
Read about superfoods that relieve constipation.
Keep yourself hydrated. Drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water, as it will help to make you pass stools easily and less prone to anal fissures. Limit your intake of alcoholic and caffeinated drinks because they can dehydrate your body.
Not just water, these healthy drinks can also up your hydration game.
Holding stools for too long can strain your anal muscles and make your stool hard and dry to pass, predisposing it to constipation and anal fissures.
Do not take laxatives without the recommendation of your doctor. Ensure that you use them only for a short period of time and to treat occasional constipation.
Here is a comprehensive guide to laxatives. Learn about various types of laxatives and tips to use them.
Keep yourself physically active and exercise regularly, as it will help to boost your metabolic rate and fight constipation. Aim for 10,000 steps every day.
No time to hit the gym? Stay in shape even by ditching the gym.
Doctors/specialists who can help in the diagnosis and treatment of anal fissures are:
General Physician
Gastroenterologists
Proctologists
Pediatrician(in case of children)
A gastroenterologist is a medical practitioner who diagnoses and treats disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and related organs. A proctologist is a doctor who specializes in treating conditions of the colon, rectum, and anus.
In most cases, an anal fissure can clear up on its own. However, consult a doctor if you have
Chronic constipation
Severe pain while passing stools
Blood, along with stool
If you are facing any of the symptoms mentioned above, don't ignore them. Please book your appointment and speak with our experts now.
Treatment for anal fissures mainly includes medicines and dietary changes to soften the stools or stimulate its movement through the colon.
Topical anesthetic ointments: Patients with anal fissures get relief by applying topical anesthetics such as lidocaine hydrochloride creams to the affected area. You can either use over-the-counter topical agents or those prescribed by the doctor.
Nitroglycerin: Application of nitroglycerin ointment to affected areas or fissures increases blood flow to the damaged tissues. This, in turn, can speed up healing and relieve anal sphincter muscle spasms.
Calcium channel blockers (CCBs): CCBs like nifedipine or diltiazem, reduce blood pressure and relieve the anal sphincter muscle spasm. These can be taken orally or used topically on the affected area.
Botox injections
In case medications are not effective, botox injections can be used to treat secondary anal fissures. They work by paralyzing the anal sphincter muscles and relieving muscle spasms.
If an anal fissure does not respond to medicines, your doctor may recommend surgery. This procedure is known as lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS), which involves making a small incision in the anal sphincter muscle to reduce spasms and promote healing.
The home remedies mentioned below help relieve constipation, allowing the fissures to heal and prevent them from worsening. Along with drinking enough water and being physically active, try these for better results:
Keep constipation at bay
Constipation is the main culprit for anal fissures. It can both cause and delay the healing of anal fissures. Hence it is imperative to manage constipation.
Struggling to deal with constipation? Learn about practical ways to manage constipation.
A sitz bath or hip bath is nothing but a warm water bath that can promote the healing of an anal fissure. You can take a sitz bath with warm water for at least 20 minutes twice daily. The bath should only cover the hips and can be taken with the help of a kit or in the bathtub.
You can try the following to keep the anal area moisturized and lubricated to aid in the easy passing of stools. It is always wise to take consent from your doctor before trying these out.
2. Aloe vera: It is a plant with healing and pain-relieving properties. Research has found that applying natural aloe vera gel to the affected area can effectively manage chronic anal fissures.
3. Coconut (Nariyal): Coconut oil has excellent healing properties and also works as a natural lubricating agent. Applying coconut oil around the anal region twice a day helps in dealing with anal fissures.
4. Olive oil (Jaitoon ka tel): Olive oil is a rich source of monounsaturated fats. It helps in lubrication, allowing hard, dry stools to pass without discomfort. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which ease the pain caused by anal fissures.
In a study, it has been found that patients with anal fissures reported reduced pain, bleeding, and itching after applying a natural mixture of olive oil, honey, and beeswax.
5. Castor oil (Arandi ka tel): Not only is castor oil an excellent natural laxative when consumed with milk, but you can also apply it to the anal fissure region to alleviate pain and easy defecation.
Complications of anal fissure can include:
Failure to heal: An anal fissure gets fixed within six weeks, but in a few cases, some fail to heal within eight weeks, which are considered chronic ones. Surgery is the best way to treat chronic anal fissures.
Relapse: Once you've experienced an anal fissure, you are at high risk of having it again or another one.
Anal fistula: An untreated or unhealed anal fissure can cause infection, leading to an anal fistula. An anal fistula is an infected tunnel between the skin and the anus, causing severe pain, swelling, and discharge of blood or pus from the anus.
Anal fissures can be very painful and discomforting and interfere with a person's daily work. Alternative therapies can be used as an adjunct to conventional treatment.
You can try yoga poses as they help you manage your symptoms, like easing bowel movements and keeping constipation in check. Some of the most beneficial ones include:
Viparita Karani (legs-up-the-Wall Pose)
Trikonasana (standing pose)
Dhanurasana (bow pose)
Matsyasana (fish pose)
Anjaneyasana (crescent pose)
Pavanamuktasana (wind-relieving pose)
Balasana (child's pose)
Anal fissures are very common. At the same time, most are self-healing and can be managed by home care. However, in some cases, medications or surgical approaches are required. Here are a few points that could help you deal with anal fissures in your daily life.
Regular warm sitz baths will help you decrease anal fissure pain and discomfort. Keep your bathtub clean after every use. Always use clean and dry towels. This will block any risk of infection.
Avoid using scented soap and shower gels, as they can cause irritation and make your fissures worse. Instead, use non-perfumed soaps formulated for sensitive skin.
Sitting too long on the toilet seat can increase the pressure on your lower rectum, especially on the veins in the anus region. Straining during a bowel movement increases the risk of repeated tears and interferes with healing.
Always gently clean the anus region after defecation to prevent irritation or infection.
Avoid consuming refined or processed food items. It will only exacerbate your symptoms.
Always keep yourself hydrated and include fiber-rich food in your meals.
Certain medicines, like iron supplements, antacids, etc., can cause constipation, predisposing to anal fissures. Your doctor may change your medication with another one that doesn’t cause constipation. Always inform your doctor about the changes you may experience while taking a specific pill.
