Anal Fissure Specialist

What is an anal fissure?

An anal fissure is a tear in the thin, moist tissue that lines your anus. Often, they happen when passing an abnormally large or hard bowel movement.

Infants are especially susceptible to anal fissures, but they occur in people of all ages. If you regularly experience anal fissures and they interfere with your quality of life, make an appointment at The Gastroenterology Group today.

What are the symptoms of an anal fissure?

Symptoms of an anal fissure include:

• Pain during bowel movements
• Pain after bowel movements that can last for hours
• Bright red blood on the stool and toilet paper
• Visible tear in your skin around the anus

If the fissure becomes irritated or infected, you might also experience a small bump or skin tag near it.

Why do anal fissures form?

Anal fissures form for various reasons, including:

• Passing large or hard stools
• Anal intercourse
• Chronic diarrhea
• Constipation
• Straining during bowel movements

You might also experience an anal fissure during childbirth.

How is an anal fissure diagnosed?

To diagnose an anal fissure, your provider at The Gastroenterology Group will carefully examine your anal region, looking for any visible cuts or tears.

Acute fissures are small and look like paper cuts, while chronic fissures are much deeper. Fissures usually aren’t serious, but in some cases, they can indicate an underlying medical condition like Crohn’s disease.

How is an anal fissure treated?

How an anal fissure is treated depends on many things, including where and how large the fissure is and what caused it. Small fissures usually respond to at-home treatments like taking stool softeners, eating more fiber, and soaking in warm water. Your provider might also recommend:

• Topical anesthetic creams
• Botox injections (to prevent the anal sphincter from spasming)
• Blood pressure medicine (to relax the anal sphincter)
• Externally applied nitroglycerin

If you have a chronic anal fissure that doesn’t respond to conservative care, your provider might recommend surgery. During surgery for an anal fissure, your provider removes a small piece of your anal sphincter, reducing spasms and relieving pain.

To learn more about the available treatments for an anal fissure, make an appointment at The Gastroenterology Group today by calling the office or clicking the online booking feature.