Effective Home Remedies For Anal Fissure

Introduction

Do you experience pain or bleeding when passing a bowel movement? Or a burning sensation that can 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, especially after 65¹. However, it is a common problem in children younger than a year as well. Adults may develop anal fissures mainly due to constipation or loose stools. They can affect both men and women, and are particularly common in women after childbirth. Many anal fissures improve on their own without treatment². But if you feel you may have fissures that are not resolving or are giving you a lot of trouble, reach out to your healthcare provider to get the necessary diagnosis and treatment. 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 condition, and doctors can often help manage them with medications and advice. If you experience anal fissure symptoms, don’t delay seeking medical care due to embarrassment, as timely treatment can ease discomfort and support healing. 

What Causes Anal Fissures?

An anal fissure is a crack 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, as the passage of a large or hard stool can tear the anal lining².  

Other causes of an anal fissure include  

• Chronic loose motions 
• Childbirth² 
• Inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis³  
• Tight anal sphincter muscles² 
• Sexually transmitted infections, for example, syphilis and herpes 
• Tuberculosis 
• Anal cancer³
• Reduced blood flow in the anus² 
• HIV 
• Receptive anal intercourse 
• Trauma 
• Anorectal surgery 
• Leukaemia³

Symptoms of Fissure

If you have an anal fissure, you might experience  

• Pain in the anal region³  
• Pain while passing stools that continues for some time 
• Bleeding from the anus 
• Stools with visible blood 
• The presence of blood smears on the toilet paper²  
• Pain in the sentinel pile (a small skin tag associated with long-standing anal fissures)³ 

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, MBBS MD (Pharmacology)

Suggested Home Remedies for Fissure

The remedies mentioned below may help relieve constipation, which will allow the fissure to heal and avoid worsening the condition by eliminating excessive pressure on the area⁴. Home remedies for fissures include the following.  

1. Exercise

Regular exercise is an effective self-help tip to manage constipation. You can become more physically active by going out for a walk, yoga, or swimming⁵. According to WHO⁶, adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of physical exercise every week and children aged between 5 and 17 years should aim for at least 60 minutes of physical exercise every day. 

2. Drink Water

You should drink plenty of water to help avoid dehydration. Drinking more water will help soften the stool and relieve constipation. This will help alleviate the pain and muscle spasms around the anal region by reducing the pressure on that area⁴. Try to drink at least eight to 10 glasses of water every day⁷. 

3. Fibre Intake

Constipation is the leading cause of anal fissures in adults. You can increase your daily fibre intake to soften the stool and relieve constipation. Eating foods rich in fibre, such as fruits, legumes, vegetables, and whole grains can ease constipation, reduce strain during bowel movements, and support fissure healing⁴. Adults should consume 25-30 grams of fibre every day⁸.  

Here are examples of foods with high fibre content.  

• Vegetables and fruits⁴ 
• Legumes, for example, peas, and dried beans 
• Oat, many root vegetables,and barley  
• Nuts and seeds⁹ 
• Whole-grain foods⁴  

4. Sitz Baths

Sitz bath is a warm water soak that helps repair a wound and clean the area. Taking regular Sitz baths can help provide relief from anal fissures. A Sitz bath should be taken with warm water for at least 15 minutes two to three times a day, with only the hips and buttocks submerged in the water². You can use a bathtub or a Sitz bath kit.  

5. Petroleum Gel

Petroleum jelly is easily available and has a wide range of uses. Applying it on the anal fissure may help soothe irritation in the anal area and provide temporary relief². It can be used several times a day as needed. 

When to Seek Medical Help?

Don’t let embarrassment or shame stop you from getting the necessary medical help for an anal fissure. A doctor can guide you on self-care measures and provide treatment to relieve your symptoms and reduce the chances of the fissure coming back.  

• If you feel you have anal fissures, you should contact your healthcare provider to get a diagnosis.  
• Most cases of anal fissures get better on their own with time². However, a doctor can guide you on how to promote healing, manage symptoms, and rule out other conditions with similar symptoms, such as piles.  

Conclusion

Anal fissures are painful tears in the anal lining that may bleed when passing stools. Fissure is a common problem, especially in children, although adults can also develop an anal fissure due to constipation. Anal fissures can be uncomfortable, but lifestyle changes and simple self-care measures may help ease the symptoms. Drinking plenty of water and eating high-fibre diet can ease constipation, giving fissures a chance to heal on their own². If you suspect you have an anal fissure, it is important to seek medical advice and treatment.  

Doctors deal with such cases regularly, so there is no need to feel embarrassed about asking for help.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

1. Higuero T. Update on the management of anal fissure. J Visc Surg. 2015;152(2 Suppl):S37-43. doi:10.1016/j.jviscsurg.2014.07.007. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1878788614001003?via%3Dihub  
2. MedlinePlus. Anal fissure. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia [Internet]. Updated May 29, 2024. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001130.htm  
3. Beaty JS, Shashidharan M. Anal Fissure. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2016 Mar;29(1):30-7. doi: 10.1055/s-0035-1570390. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4755763/  
4. Hosseini SV. Lifestyle Modifications and Dietary Factors versus Surgery in Benign Anorectal Conditions; Hemorrhoids, Fissures, and Fistulas. Iran J Med Sci. 2023 Jul;48(4):355-357. doi: 10.30476/ijms.2023.49356. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10349156/ 
5. De Marco S, Tiso D. Lifestyle and Risk Factors in Hemorrhoidal Disease. Front Surg. 2021 Aug 18;8:729166. doi: 10.3389/fsurg.2021.729166. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8416428/  
6. World Health Organization. Physical activity. Be Healthy Initiative [Internet]. World Health Organization; [cited 2025 Sep 12]. Available from: https://www.who.int/initiatives/behealthy/physical-activity  
7. MedlinePlus. Constipation – Self-Care. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia [Internet]. [updated 15 Jul 2024; cited 12 Sep 2025]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000120.htm  
8. McKeown NM, Fahey GC Jr, Slavin J, van der Kamp JW. Fibre intake for optimal health: how can healthcare professionals support people to reach dietary recommendations? BMJ. 2022 Jul 20;378:e054370. doi: 10.1136/bmj-2020-054370.Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9298262/  
9. Akbar A, Shreenath AP. High Fiber Diet. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; updated May 1, 2023. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559033/  

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