To allow the fissure to heal we suggest showering or bathing, or using baby wipes after every bowel motion and taking regular warm-to-hot salt water (Sitz) baths, which involves sitting in a shallow bath of water for around 20 minutes. This is soothing as well as cleansing.
Self-help for anal fissures
Take regular sitz (salt bath) baths, which involves sitting in a shallow bath of warm water for around 20 minutes. Use baby wipes instead of toilet paper. Shower or bathe after every bowel motion. Drink six to eight glasses of water every day.
Anal fissures often heal within a few weeks with appropriate home treatment. Take steps to keep your stool soft, such as increasing your intake of fiber and fluids. Soak in warm water for 10 to 20 minutes several times a day, especially after bowel movements. This can help relax the sphincter and promote healing.
People whose anal fissures don't heal well may have an imbalance in anal pressure that prevents blood from circulating normally through the blood vessels around the anus. The reduced blood flow prevents healing.
Most cases occur in people who have constipation, when a particularly hard or large poo tears the lining of the anal canal. Other possible causes of anal fissures include: persistent diarrhoea. inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
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.
Most anal fissures heal with home treatment after a few days or weeks. These are called short-term (acute) anal fissures. If you have an anal fissure that hasn't healed after 8 to 12 weeks, it is considered a long-term (chronic) fissure. A chronic fissure may need medical treatment.
How do you know if a fissure is healing? You'll start to notice your symptoms improving as your fissure is healing. Your pain should lessen and if you had any bleeding, this should stop too. You should have a follow-up appointment with your doctor after six to eight weeks.
Itching. Itching can also be another sign that the anal fissure is healing. The skin typically itches as it heals. Inflammatory cells flood the wound site to eliminate bacteria and other infections.
In addition, stress and psychological disturbances may have a role in the development of chronic anal fissures through causing sympathetic dysfunction manifesting as a tonic pressure rise in the pressure of the anal canal [8]. Stress may be implicated in the formation and development of chronic anal fissures.
See your health care provider if you have pain during bowel movements or notice blood on stools or toilet paper after a bowel movement.
Generally, an anal fissure heals on its own within four to six weeks. If the fissure fails to heal during this period, it can become chronic and medical or surgical treatment will be needed to cure anal fissure.
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. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
Sitting continuously for 5 or more hours a day seems to increase the risk of developing hemorrhoids and/or anal fissure. It is hoped that this information helps in primary prevention of these common anal conditions and prevents recurrence after treatment.
Piles are mostly painless and unnoticeable. Fissures cause a lot of pain.
Acute fissures can become chronic, and sentinel pile can result. A permanent skin tag can result, and fistulas may form.
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.
Epsom salts is not needed, but you may use it if you wish . This will help relax the sphincter, improve blood flow and promote healing of the fissure.
Add ½ a cup of Epsom salt per gallon of warm water in your sitz bath. Soak your anal area in the sitz bath for about 20 minutes. Rinse yourself and the sitz bath. Instead of scrubbing, pat dries the anal area to prevent further irritation.
Small fissures can heal up on their own without any treatment. If you have a very large fissure, it can require a visit to a proctologist to do surgery.