What department should I go to for an anal fissure?

Written by Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
Updated on May 07, 2025
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Anal fissures should of course be treated by proctology specialists, as anal fissures are a common condition in proctology. They are small ulcers that form in the skin of the anal canal below the dentate line after it has been injured. The primary symptom is anal pain, characterized by periodic, tearing-like pain. The second symptom is rectal bleeding during bowel movements caused by wounds on the fissure. The third symptom is that due to the pain, patients might avoid defecating, leading to habitual constipation. Therefore, proctologists have a comprehensive understanding and good knowledge reserve about anal fissures, so it is recommended that patients with this condition consult the proctology department.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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Can a colonoscopy be performed with an anal fissure?

Patients with anal fissures are advised not to undergo colonoscopy, primarily because the procedure involves inserting the colonoscope through the anus, and anal fissures typically occur within the local sphincter muscles. The passage, or repeated movement, of the probe can cause local fissures to experience painful stimulation, or even worsen the symptoms of the fissures, increasing the likelihood of pain and bleeding for the patient afterwards. Therefore, if patients with anal fissures wish to undergo colonoscopy, they should first receive appropriate medical treatment and wait for the local fissures to heal or be completely cured before undergoing the procedure. If a colonoscopy is necessary, a lubricant can also be applied to the anal region to reduce the irritation of the colonoscope on local fissures.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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How to treat postpartum constipation and anal fissures?

In cases of postpartum constipation, if it becomes severe and leads to an anal fissure, it is necessary to visit the hospital's proctology department for an examination. When an anal fissure occurs, it generally requires the use of medications to invigorate blood and dissolve stasis to facilitate wound healing. You can also apply some grease around the wound to increase the lubrication of the muscles around the anus, which can alleviate some of the difficulties experienced during defecation. In daily life, it is important to drink more water, consume plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits, avoid spicy and irritating foods that can cause internal heat, and you can also use a potassium permanganate solution for sitz baths to alleviate local pain. If the condition of the anal fissure is severe, surgical treatment may be necessary.

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Written by Yu Xu Chao
Colorectal Surgery
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How to treat anal fissure bleeding

For early anal fissure bleeding, the first step is to soften the stool by eating more foods high in rough fiber to maintain smooth bowel movements as much as possible. This prevents hard and dry stools from irritating the fissure, causing bleeding or worsening pain. Additionally, after defecating, it is necessary to take a sitz bath using warm saltwater or an anal cleansing solution. It is generally recommended to sitz bath for five to six minutes, which can have anti-inflammatory and hemostatic effects. After the sitz bath, apply Dragon Ball ointment or nitroglycerin ointment locally to promote ulcer healing. Typically, symptoms can significantly improve within seven to ten days of medication. However, if the patient has chronic anal fissure with prolonged pain after each bowel movement, surgical treatment is needed due to fibrous scar formation in the internal anal sphincter. In such cases, an anal fissure excision surgery might be undertaken, followed by dressing changes using medications like red oil ointment gauze or golden ointment. (Please follow medical advice regarding medication.)

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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What causes anal fissures?

Anal fissure is a series of clinical symptoms such as pain or rectal bleeding that occur due to the formation of a crack in the local sphincter muscle of the anus. The main reason for the occurrence of anal fissures is due to poor defecation habits in the early stages of the patient, or excessively dry stools, and excessive force during defecation, causing the local sphincter to burst, resulting in the fissure opening pain or bleeding. To treat anal fissures, it is first necessary to soften the patient's stools and adjust defecation habits. If the patient's diet is poor, it is recommended to maintain a light, easily digestible diet long-term. For those with dry stools, appropriate oral medications to lubricate the intestines and facilitate bowel movements can be used, or sesame oil can be applied around the anus before each defecation to lubricate the stool. If recurrent episodes of anal fissures occur, surgical treatment can also be directly performed. (Medication use should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Yu Xu Chao
Colorectal Surgery
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What is the best treatment for a minor anal fissure?

Minor anal fissures, which are early-stage fissures, mainly manifest as pain during defecation and minor bleeding, but the pain does not last long and is primarily associated with defecation. For minor fissures, it is generally recommended to choose conservative treatment with medications and dietary regulation to ensure smooth bowel movements. Typically, after defecation, one can choose to use an anal cleansing solution or a potassium permanganate solution for a sitz bath. After the sitz bath, apply Dragon Ball ointment or nitroglycerin ointment locally to promote the healing of the ulcerated surface. At the same time, in terms of diet, one should drink more water and consume foods rich in dietary fiber to maintain smooth bowel movements as much as possible, avoiding dry and hard stools, which also helps in the healing of minor anal fissures. Additionally, patients should pay attention to keeping the anal area dry and clean, avoid irritating the wound, and prevent infection that could exacerbate the condition.