What Is Anal Fissure?

The anal fissure is a small tear in the lining of the anus. The anal fissure can cause pain, bleeding and/or itching.

Most fissures occur along the mid-line - the top or bottom - of the anus.

Causes of Anal Fissure

The anal fissure usually develops when the anal tissue is damaged during a hard and dry bowel movement which tears the anal lining.

The anal fissure can also develop due to higher than normal pressure in the anal sphincters. Diarrhea and inflammation of the anorectal area can also cause an anal fissure.

Many women during childbirth develop an anal fissure.

Other causes of the anal fissure are: digital insertion (during examination), foreign body insertion, or anal intercourse.

In some cases, the anal fissure may be caused by other health conditions, such as: Vitamin B-6 deficiency, abdominal pain, fever, weight loss, Crohn's disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes bloody diarrhea, syphilis, a suppressed immune system, tuberculosis, HIV infection, anal cancer.

A low fiber diet may also contribute to the development of a fissure.

Symptoms of Anal Fissure

• Sharp, stinging or burning pain during and following a bowel movement.
• Spots of bright red blood on toilet tissue. This blood is separate from the stool. Blood mixed with the stool indicates some other conditions (like colon cancer and inflammatory bowel disease).
• Itching and malodorous discharge may also occur.

Anal Fissure Treatment

At least 50 percent of anal fissures heal by themselves. Successful home treatment includes:

• Drinking more fluids.
• Eating a high-fiber diet to avoid constipation.
• Using stool softeners.
• Allowing enough time for a bowel movement
• Sitz baths (soaking anal area in plain warm water)
• Avoid sharp foods that may not be well-digested (i.e., nuts, popcorn, tortilla chips)

Home treatment of an acute anal fissure may take a few days or weeks, while healing of a chronic anal fissure may take more than 6 weeks.

In case a fissure does not heal should be reexamined to determine if an underlying problem exist that prevents healing. In same cases surgery may be necessary.

Natural anal fissure treatment prevents bleeding and helps to heal damaged tissue.