Anal fissure
A small tear in the moist, thin tissue that lines the anus is an anal fissure. It happens when you pass large or hard stools during a bowel movement. Anal fissures generally cause pain and bleeding with bowel movements.
Symptoms
Signs of an anal fissure include:
- Pain during bowel movements (sometimes severe)
- Pain after bowel movements that lasts up to several hours
- A crack(visible) in the skin around the anus
- Blood on the stool after a bowel movement
- A skin tag or a small lump on the skin near the anal fissure
Causes
The common cause for anal fissures can be an injury to the lining of the anus or anal canal. The majority of these cases occur in people with constipation.
Other possible causes of anal fissures include:
- Persistent diarrhea
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Occasionally, a sexually transmitted infection (STI), such as syphilis or herpes
- Having unusually tight anal sphincter muscles
Complications
Complications of anal fissure can include:
- A delayed healing process. An anal fissure that delays healing within eight weeks becomes chronic and may need further attention
- You are prone to having another one once you’ve experienced an anal fissure
- A tear extends to the surrounding muscles. An anal incision might extend into the muscle that holds your anus in the closed state, making it more complicated for your anal fissure to heal
Self-care
Applying some simple self-help measures can help prevent constipation, allowing existing fissures to heal and reducing your chances of developing new cracks.
Self-help measures for avoiding constipation include:
- Add surplus fiber to your diet
- Staying sufficiently hydrated
- Not ignoring the urge to poo
- Exercising regularly
Paracetamol or ibuprofen can help soothe the pain or soak your bottom in a warm bath, especially after a bowel movement.
Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Page last reviewed: 04 October 2022