Hemorrhoids generally last several days and often recur. Anal fissures often cause pain during and after a bowel movement, sometimes followed by throbbing pain for several hours. They are also often associated with itching and blood on toilet tissue, in the bowl, or on the surface of the stool.
Fissures are sometimes confused with hemorrhoids. These are inflamed blood vessels in, or just outside, the anus. Both fissures and hemorrhoids often result from passing hard stool.
a sharp pain when you poo, often followed by a deep burning pain that may last several hours. bleeding when you poo – most people notice a small amount of bright red blood either in their poo or on the toilet paper.
Piles are mainly the swollen blood vessels while fissures are kind of cracks and fistulas are an opening of a cavity. Piles are mostly painless and unnoticeable. Fissures cause a lot of pain. In the case of fistulas, pus is discharged out of the anal area.
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.
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.
Causes and Risk Factors
Passing a hard stool or prolonged episode of diarrhea. Lack of fiber in the diet and/or water with that fiber. Food that creates a rough passage through the digestive system, such as popcorn, nuts or tortilla chips.
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.
If a fissure lasts more than 8 to 12 weeks, you may need prescription medicines. These may include nitroglycerin cream, high blood pressure medicines in pill or gel form, or injections of botulinum toxin (Botox). If medicines don't stop your symptoms, you may need to consider surgery.
If your symptoms do not improve within a week or 2, the GP may prescribe a medicine called glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), an ointment applied to the anal canal, usually twice a day. GTN works by expanding blood vessels in and around the anus, increasing the blood supply to the fissure and helping it heal faster.
Many anal fissures heal on their own. However, it's important to visit your doctor when you see blood in your stool or experience pain around your anus. Your doctor can do a rectal exam. This helps them find fissure.
Anal fissures are small cuts or tears that occur in or on the anus. They may result from passing hard stool, which can tear the delicate skin of the anus. When a fissure starts to heal, it can form a skin tag that may feel like a lump.
Anal fissures are small tears in the lining of the anus which can cause pain, bleeding and itching. If the fissure spreads downward it can result in a swollen lump.
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.
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.
Treatment for Anal Fissures
Follow a high-fiber diet or take fiber supplements (such as psyllium husk, Benefiber®, and Metamucil®) to make your bowel movements softer. For more information, read our resource A Guide to High Fiber Foods. Drink 8 (8-ounce) glasses of water daily to help prevent hard bowel movements.
Over-wiping with rough and dry toilet paper can lead to itching, pain, and bleeding. In fact, improper wiping is the leading cause of America's most common bum-related injury – anal fissures (aka anal tears). Other common problems include UTI's and hemorrhoids.
In adults, fissures may be caused by passing large, hard stools, or having diarrhea for a long time. Other factors may include: Decreased blood flow to the area. Too much tension in the sphincter muscles that control the anus.
About anal fissures
Overstretching usually occurs when passing large, dry, hard stool. The pain from the tear triggers the anal sphincter muscles to spasm and tighten, cutting off blood supply that may delay healing of the tear.
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.
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.