What is the best treatment for anal fissures?

Written by Li Xiao Jie
Internal Medicine
Updated on September 18, 2024
00:00
00:00

The treatment of anal fissures depends on the specific situation. For initial onset anal fissures, since the fissure is small, treatment can be achieved through methods such as Chinese herbal fumigation or topical application of medicine. For recurrent anal fissures that have persisted for a longer time, fumigation and washing with medicine are less effective. In such cases, surgical treatment is necessary, and it should be sought at the proctology department of a formal hospital. Anal fissures are greatly related to bowel habits, so it is important to maintain smooth bowel movements by, for example, drinking more water, eating more high-fiber foods, consuming less spicy and stimulating foods, abstaining from alcohol, and avoiding greasy foods.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Xiao Jie
Internal Medicine
46sec home-news-image

Can anal fissures be cured completely?

Anal fissures are a curable condition, so do not worry. Anal fissures are relatively common in clinical practice and are a frequently occurring disease. Fresh anal fissures, which are of short duration and have small fissures, can be treated and cured using methods such as fumigation, oral medications, or rectal insertion. For older, chronic anal fissures, surgical treatment can be administered, including methods like the Milligan-Morgan technique or fissurectomy, all of which can achieve a cure. However, anal fissures are related to lifestyle and dietary habits, so even after healing, it is important to be cautious of various triggering factors to prevent recurrence.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
58sec home-news-image

Postpartum anal fissure

Postpartum anal fissures are a common symptom during natural childbirth. They occur when there is a tear in the anal area during the delivery of a child. This condition mainly leads to pain in the anal region for women after giving birth, especially during bowel movements. When dealing with postpartum anal fissures, it is important to maintain cleanliness and hygiene in the affected area. Each evening, washing with warm water or a potassium permanganate solution, which has cleansing and anti-inflammatory properties, can effectively alleviate pain in the anal area. Additionally, it is beneficial to consume foods that facilitate bowel movements, such as fresh vegetables and fruits that are rich in dietary fiber, as they can effectively promote gastrointestinal motility and improve constipation.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
1min 17sec home-news-image

What should I do about anal bleeding and anal fissures?

If a fissure is visible to the naked eye at the anal sphincter during a digital rectal examination, it is primarily considered an anal fissure. Anal fissures generally cause severe local pain and bleeding from the fissure. The fissure is primarily due to the local crack being stretched or opened, causing bleeding from small blood vessels, and the blood from the fissure is usually bright red. To treat bleeding from an anal fissure, it is first necessary to soften the stool, as the occurrence of an anal fissure is mainly related to dry stools and difficulty defecating. Once the stool is lubricated, it can reduce the need to exert excessive force during defecation, lowering the possibility of stretching the local fissure. Topical application of hemorrhoid cream at the fissure, or combined with oral medications that cool the blood and stop bleeding, may be used. If there is repeated bleeding from an anal fissure, surgical treatment is also recommended. (Please use medications under the guidance of a professional physician, and do not self-medicate.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
50sec home-news-image

How many days can an anal fissure heal?

Mild anal fissures or those with shallow cracks can generally heal within about a week through local heat application or by applying hemorrhoid cream. However, there is another type of anal fissure known as chronic anal fissure. Chronic anal fissures primarily involve ulcer-like infectious changes at the local site, hence, they cannot heal on their own and can only be alleviated by lubricating the stools and applying hemorrhoid cream locally. In some cases, conservative treatment might not be significantly effective for chronic anal fissures. If surgery is performed, the recovery time is approximately 20 days. It is recommended that patients with chronic anal fissures undergo surgical treatment with endoscopic loosening.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
1min 4sec home-news-image

How to examine anal fissures in women

If a woman suspects symptoms of an anal fissure, it is recommended to directly perform a digital rectal examination rather than an anoscopy, to avoid worsening the condition by potentially tearing local fissures with the anoscope. Typically, an anal fissure presents with severe local pain in the anus, bleeding during bowel movements, and accompanying hard stools. Therefore, the initial treatment should focus on softening the stool, for which one can take oral hemp seed oil capsules to facilitate bowel movements. Additionally, applying Recovery New liquid as a hot compress on the local fissures can help alleviate symptoms and promote healing. If there is anal constriction, anal dilation therapy might be chosen, or treatment may involve a lateral internal sphincterotomy. (Please use the above medications under the guidance of a physician, and do not use them indiscriminately on your own.)