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Anal fissure can be quite embarrassing, apart from being painful. It is caused by a small tear in the lining of the mucus, which is located in the lower rectum. People of all ages are susceptible to rectal fissures. It can be caused by passing of large, hard and dry stools, constipation, prolonged diarrhea, and in older adults due to reduced blood flow to the rectal area. Women, during childbirth, are also vulnerable to this condition.

The classic symptoms of anal fissures are pain during or after defecation, the passing of bright red blood from the anus and an itching sensation. The pain can be very severe and may last for a few minutes, or several hours after a bowel motion. Anal fissures can lead to chronic fissures, if it fails to heal despite straightforward measures and treatments. Studies have shown that less than 10% of chronic fissures are eventually resolved with conservative methods, most might however need further intervention for the condition to heal.

Doctors, along with medical treatments, advise home remedies for anal fissure like:

• Drinking a lot of fluids
• Consuming a high fiber diet
• Application of petroleum jelly to the anus
• Taking regular Sitz (salt water) baths, this involves sitting in a shallow bath of warm water for about 20 minutes.
•  Bathing or showering after every bowel motion
• Making use of baby wipes instead of toilet paper

Some remedies that can help relieve discomfort from a sore anus at home are:

• Sprinkling of Powder: Cornstarch, baby or un-medicated talcum powder can be dusted around the rectal area.
• Applying of an Ice Pack: A few cubes of ice in a towel pressed gently to the affected area can help reduce soreness of the anus.
• Comfortable Wear: Cotton underwear and loose fitting clothes allows air circulation and assists in soothing the area.
• Keeping the Area Clean: Cleaning the area of any fecal matter with warm water, avoiding use of soaps and gently drying the area by dabbing with a soft dry clean towel helps to decrease the soreness.
• Application of Soothing Creams and Ointments: Prescription creams or over-the-counter ointments can help relieve discomfort and itching.

Treatment for anal fissures includes medical treatment, surgical corrections and home remedies.

Medication is usually a first line treatment for this condition, like:

• 0.2% Nitroglycerin Cream: Helps to decrease pressure in the internal anal muscle, allowing the fissure to heal. A pea sized dot should be applied and massaged into the area. Usage of large amounts of the cream causes headaches, lightheadedness, fainting or low blood pressure. Wear gloves or wash hands thoroughly after application as the cream can be absorbed by the skin on the fingers and increase chances of side-effects.
• Botox (botulinum toxin): Causes temporary paralysis of muscle by reducing muscle tension and helping the anal fissure to heal. Botox injections are injected into the internal anal muscle sphincter.
• Calcium Channel Blockers: Aid in healing anal fissures by reducing the pressure in the internal muscles sphincter. They come in pill or gel forms. Pills are said to have more side effects than gels.

Surgery corrections are done when traditional methods fail to heal an anal fissure. The main surgery to cure chronic anal fissures is a Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy. Research has shown that this surgery has a larger success rate than medicines, with longer result periods. The only downside that can sometimes occur post a lateral internal Sphincterotomy, is stool incontinence and/or inability to control flatulence. Studies show that only 8% of patients suffer from post-surgery side effects.

Reference

1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK6878/

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.