Effective Home Remedies for Fissure
By Dr Smita Barode +2 more
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By Dr Smita Barode +2 more
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Do you experience pain or blood when passing a bowel movement? Or a burning sensation that may last for quite some time? If you answered yes, you might be suffering from an anal fissure. The chances of developing anal fissures decrease with age. However, it is a common problem in children younger than a year as well. Adults may develop anal fissures mainly due to constipation or trauma to the anus (trauma due to childbirth).1 Most anal fissures will get better without any treatment, but if you feel you might have fissures that are not resolving or giving you a lot of trouble, reach out to your healthcare provider to get the necessary diagnosis and treatment.2 You can follow simple home remedies listed below to relieve the symptoms of a fissure and use them for anal fissure self-care.
Anal fissures are a common problem, and doctors can easily help with medications to resolve them. So don’t stop yourself from getting medical help due to embarrassment.
Did You Know?
An anal fissure results from damage or a tear in the lining of the anus, the last portion of the large intestine. Constipation is the most common cause of anal fissure-the passage of a large or hard stool tears the anal lining.2
Other causes of an anal fissure include
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Symptoms of anal fissures may be similar to those of haemorrhoids, fistula or colo-rectal cancer and hence, it is crucial to consult a surgeon/proctologist for prompt diagnosis and treatment upon noticing such symptoms. Each condition requires a different treatment approach and relying on home remedies without knowing the diagnosis can worsen the condition.
Dr. Arpit Verma, MD
If you have an anal fissure, you might experience
Also Read: 8 Best Home Remedies For Immediate Relief From Constipation
The remedies mentioned below help by giving relief from constipation. Relieving constipation will allow the fissure to heal and prevent worsening the condition by eliminating excessive pressure.3 Home remedies for fissures include the following.
Exercising regularly is an effective self-help tip to manage constipation and, in turn, anal fissures. You can become more physically active by going out for a walk or run. You should aim for at least 150 minutes of physical exercise every week.3,4
You should drink plenty of water to help avoid dehydration. Try to drink at least six to eight glasses of water every day.1,3 Drinking more water will help soften the stool and relieve constipation. This will alleviate the pain and muscle spasms around the anal region by reducing the pressure.5
Constipation is the leading cause of anal fissures in adults. You can increase your daily fibre intake to soften the stool and relieve constipation. Involving foods rich in fibre such as fruits, vegetables, rice, and wholewheat bread will help in the healing of the fissures by eliminating the pressure that is caused due to constipation. Adults should consume 18 grams of fibre every day.4
Here are examples of foods with high fibre content.
Sitz bath is nothing, but a warm water bath meant for healing or cleansing. Taking regular Sitz baths is a practical self-help remedy for anal fissures. A Sitz bath should be taken for at least 20 minutes two to three times a day. Sitz bath should be taken with warm water. The bath should only cover the hips and buttocks.1,7 You can take a sitz bath in your bathtub or with the help of a kit.
You can easily find petroleum jelly, and it has a wide range of uses. For example, you can apply petroleum jelly around the anal region as an anal fissure home remedy. Applying petroleum jelly will help soothe the skin.7 You can apply it several times a day, whenever you feel the need.
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Don’t let the embarrassment or shame stop you from getting the necessary medical help. A doctor can help you with self-help measures that you can take to manage your symptoms. Getting proper treatment will give you symptomatic relief and reduce the chances of fissures coming back.
Also Read: What is a Sitz Bath: Understanding the Benefits and Uses
Anal fissures are painful tears in the anal lining that might bleed every time you pass a motion. Fissure is a common problem, more prevalent in children. Adults can also develop an anal fissure due to constipation. Anal fissures can make life difficult for people but making some lifestyle changes and following self-help tips can help you relieve the symptoms. Measures like drinking plenty of water and involving high fibre in your diet help by relieving constipation and giving the fissures a chance to heal on their own. If you feel you may have an anal fissure, you need medical help and treatment.
Your doctor is used to dealing with such cases, so don’t let embarrassment or shame stop you from asking for help.
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Some remedies that you can follow at home to relieve anal fissures are increasing your fibre intake, increasing your fluid intake, regular exercise and taking a Sitz bath. Measures like high fibre intake, increasing hydration and exercising regularly will help you relieve constipation and get the fissure time to heal on its own. Doing a Sitz bath 2 to 3 times a day will clean the fissure and promote its healing.1,3–7
Anal fissures, in most cases, don’t cause any serious diseases. However, in some cases, they might lead to an anal fistula (a tunnel is formed, joining the bowel to the anal opening), chronic anal fissure (formation of scar tissue at the fissure site) or anal stenosis (anal canal becomes narrowed).1
Anal fissures can be prevented by eating lots of fibre, drinking more water and exercising regularly. Most cases of anal fissures arise due to chronic constipation. These steps will relieve constipation and improve digestion. Wiping gently after every time you use the toilet is also a good practice that can help you prevent anal fissures.1
If you notice blood when passing a bowel movement, you should contact your healthcare provider. Also, if the bleeding is accompanied by the pain, you need to get medical help and get the necessary diagnosis.2
Sitz bath is a warm water bath that you can take to help clean and take care of the fissure. The water in the bath should cover the hips and buttocks. You should take a Sitz bath for at least 20 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day.1,7 A Sitz bath can be taken in a bathtub or with the help of a kit.
Yes, some anal fissures can heal on their own if you are able to avoid constipation and with proper self-care. Constipation, if not managed, can hinder the healing of fissures because the pressure from the bowel movement constantly damages the fissure site.1
References:
1. Anal fissure – Better Health Channel [Internet]. Betterhealth.vic.gov.au [cited 2022 May 11]. Available from: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/anal-fissure
2. Anal fissure. NHS [Internet]. NHS.uk [cited 2022 May 11]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/anal-fissure/
3. Anal fissure. Treatment. NHS [Internet]. NHS.uk [cited 2022 May 11]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/anal-fissure/treatment/
4. Anal fissure. ndirect [Internet]. Nidirect.gov.uk [cited 2022 May 11]. Available from: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/conditions/anal-fissure
5. Anal fissure. healthdirect [Internet]. Healthdirect.gov.au [cited 2022 May 11]. Available from: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/anal-fissure
6. Dietary fibre – Better Health Channel [Internet]. Betterhealth.vic.gov.au [cited 2022 May 12]. Available from: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/fibre-in-food
7. Anal fissure: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov [cited 2022 May 11]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001130.htm
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Last updated: Mar 18, 2024
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