Anal FissureNot what you're looking for? Show
What is an anal fissure?An anal fissure is a tear in the tissue of your anus. The anus is the last part of your digestive tract. It’s at the end of your rectum. It has a ring of muscle (sphincter) that opens during a bowel movement to allow stool (feces) to pass through. A fissure is caused by the anal tissue stretching too much. This can happen during a hard bowel movement. It causes pain and bleeding. Anal fissures are not the same as hemorrhoids. But the symptoms can be similar. Hemorrhoids are inflamed blood vessels in or just outside the anus. An anal fissure is one of the most common noncancer (benign) conditions of the anus and rectum. What causes an anal fissure?The most common cause is large or hard stools because of constipation. A fissure may also be caused by severe diarrhea, anal sex, vaginal childbirth, or an object inserted into the anus. Who is at risk for an anal fissure?A person is more at risk for an anal fissure if they have any of the below:
What are the symptoms of an anal fissure?An anal fissure is one of the most common causes of anal pain and bleeding. Symptoms can occur a bit differently in each person. They can include:
The symptoms of an anal fissure may be like other health conditions. See your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. How is an anal fissure diagnosed?Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and health history. Your provider will give you a physical exam. The physical exam will include your anal area. Your provider will gently separate your buttocks. The provider will look at the area around the anus for a tear and other signs of a fissure. Where the fissure is may help find the cause. Fissures most often occur in the back center of the anus. Some occur in the front center of the anus. Fissures that occur on the sides of the anus may be caused by conditions such as Crohn’s disease. You may also have:
If more tests are needed, your healthcare provider may do a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. How is an anal fissure treated?Treatment will depend on your symptoms, your age, and your general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is. An acute anal fissure is one that lasts for a short time. It often heals within 6 weeks with simple treatment. It may heal when constipation is treated. A chronic anal fissure is one that lasts for 6 weeks or more. This may need more treatment, such as surgery. If your anal fissure doesn’t heal well, you may have a problem with anal pressure because of the sphincter muscle. This prevents blood from flowing normally through the blood vessels in the anus. The reduced blood flow prevents healing. Treatment may include medicine to put on the fissure and botulinum toxin shots (injections). These can help with blood flow and may help an anal fissure heal. Other treatments include:
Talk with your healthcare providers about the risks, benefits, and possible side effects of all treatments. What are possible complications of an anal fissure?Pain from the fissure can cause muscle spasm in the anal sphincter muscle. This can make it hard for the fissure to heal. The spasm can also cause more tearing when you have bowel movements. This cycle can lead to a chronic anal fissure in many people. Other complications can include:
How to manage an anal fissureIf you have an anal fissure:
To help prevent constipation or large or hard bowel movements:
When should I call my healthcare provider?Call your healthcare provider if:
Key points about anal fissure
Next stepsTips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:
Medical Reviewer: Jen Lehrer MD Medical Reviewer: Rita Sather RN Medical Reviewer: Raymond Kent Turley BSN MSN RN © 2000-2022 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions. Not what you're looking for? What does blood from a fissure look like?Bright red blood on the stool or toilet paper after a bowel movement. A visible crack in the skin around the anus. A small lump or skin tag on the skin near the anal fissure.
Can a fissure cause a lot of blood?The tissues lining your anus are sensitive, so a fissure often causes severe pain, especially during and after a bowel movement. You may have pain for up to several hours after going to the bathroom. Most people notice bright red blood after having a bowel movement.
Is bleeding normal in fissure?Once a fissure develops, these symptoms can occur after every bowel movement; the rectal pain can be severe and can last several minutes to hours. Bleeding is usually of a small volume, though it is often bright red. However, the bleeding may discolor the toilet bowl, giving it the appearance of heavy bleeding.
What color is fissure blood?anal fissure – a small tear in the skin of the anus, which can be painful as the skin is very sensitive. The blood is usually bright red and the bleeding soon stops.
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