Fissures

WHAT IS FISSURES?

An anal fissure is a small tear in the skin that lines the anus. An anal fissure may occur when you pass hard or large stools during a bowel movement. An anal fissure typically causes pain and bleeding with bowel movements. Anal fissures most often affect people in middle age, but fissures also are the most common cause of rectal bleeding in infants. Most anal fissures heal within a few weeks with treatment for constipation, but some fissures may become chronic

SYMPTOMS OF ANAL FISSURE

• Pain during, and even hours after, a bowel movement
• Constipation
• Blood on the outside surface of the stool
• Blood on toilet
• A visible crack or tear in the anus or anal canal
• Burning and itch that may be painful
• Discomfort when urinating, frequent urination, or inability to urinate
• Foul-smelling discharge

Anal fissure that fails to heal. An anal fissure that doesn't heal can become chronic, meaning it lasts for more than six weeks. Anal fissure that recurs. If you've experienced anal fissure once, you have an increased risk of another anal fissure. A tear that extends to surrounding muscles. An anal fissure may extend into the ring of muscle that holds your anus closed (internal anal sphincter). This makes it more difficult for your anal fissure to heal. An unhealed fissure may trigger a cycle of discomfort that may require medications or surgery to reduce the pain and repair or remove the fissure.