There are various problems which do not become very serious but are associated with higher risk. Children and well as middle aged adults often complain of problems related to skin damage or skin breakage in different tissues of the body. One of the major issues is related to anal fissure, this is a recurring condition in which there is a break of skin in the anal region. It usually happens on the anal opening or little inside the anus, this could lead to irritation and discomfort. Some anal fissures do not treat themselves readily, hence it becomes important to know about this condition. Let us look at its symptoms, causes and treatment.
What are Anal Fissures?
Anal fissure is a small or deep cut which occurs on the lining of anal region. According to Dr. Umesh Khera, General Physician from Ivory Hospital, Greater Noida, this is not an disease but most an injury. Anal fissures expose the lining of anus to the muscle tissues and given severe pain while having bowel movements. You may also have pain sitting in a particular position of laying on a surface.
Fissure present because of cut causes redness and little bleeding in the area which is also a sign of this injury. In majority of cases, it gets treated by itself when new skin comes, but if the cut or damage is deep, then it needs medical attention.
Also Read- COVID-19 Brain Fog: All You Need To Know About This Condition By Expert
Symptoms of Anal Fissure
If you have this injury and condition then the symptoms will be quite evident from first or second day itself. Here are some symptoms that you need to know to determine having anal fissures.
- A visible tear or cut in the lining near anus
- Lump in skin next to skin tear and anal fissure
- Having intense pain during bowel movements
- Blood while passing stools or while washing it of
- Burning sensation in the region
- Itching near the anal region
What Causes Anal Fissures?
This painful anal condition is often caused because of passing hard and large stools, because of constipation and some other reasons. According to our expert, anal fissures are result of poor bowel movements or conditions related to excretion process. It happens majorly to people that have chronic constipation, are suffering from diarrhoea. Because of these conditions, the skin around your anal region gets inflamed and then with frequent bowel movements, the lining gets damaged in the form of cut. This could cause little irritation initially and then it might cause great discomfort in every activity including walking.
Other causes of anal fissure can include-
- Straining during childbirth and bowel movements
- Having IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome) or Crohn’s Disease
- Decrease in blood flow in the anorectic area
- Inserting of objects in the anus
- Having tight or spastic anal sphincter muscles
Other anal fissure develops due to other reasons as well. It can happen because of some underlying health condition which is related to anal regions. Anal fissure which does not heal or get healed by its own is usually because of cut in posterior or midline portion of the anus.
Also Read- How To Treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
Treatment for Anal Treatment
As mentioned earlier, anal fissures in majority of conditions are treated automatically. Home remedies can also take care of many anal fissures which happen on the outer lining of the anus. However if the cut has increased or hasn’t healed for over few months, then you may need to get it checked by a doctor.
First let us take a look at some home treatments and remedies that can treat anal fissures-
- Using over the counter stool softeners
- Drinking more fluids that help to stay hydrated and improve digestion
- By taking more fibre supplements in your diet which reduces bowel problems
- Taking a sitz bath that helps to relax anus muscles and promote healing process more efficiently
- Applying nitroglycerin ointment increases blood flow in the area and relaxes the pain
- Applying pain relievers (topical) so ease discomfort in anal region
If it does not relief or get better by any of these methods, then you need to get a check-up done and take medical treatments. In this you may be given channel blockers, ointments and relaxes sphincter muscles. It heals anal fissure and promotes the health of anus.
Another possible treatment is Botox injection; this is an anal sphincter which prevents spasms and problems related to bowel movements. Anal fissure can be treated by temporarily paralyzing the muscle problems.
If all these treatments do not work for you, then the final way to treating anal fissure is by surgery. Surgery of this condition is called sphincterotomy. This involves making a small incision in the anal sphincter that helps to relax the muscles. Then the tissue which gets inflamed or cut, it is provided with tissue that helps the skin to heal itself. Once the inflammation is treated, then anal fissures do not remain for long.
Picture Credits- freepik.com, cdc.in