An anal fissure is a tear in the anal canal. It causes pain and bleeding during bowel movements.
It is a common condition that can affect individuals from all age groups. It is most prevalent in people with constipation.
Let’s understand how anal fissures occur, how to cure fissures permanently, and home remedies for anal fissures.
Table of Contents
How do Anal Fissures Occur?
Diarrhea and constipation are two main reasons for the formation of fissures.
Pain, spasms, and tears can result from high tension in the sphincter muscles during diarrhea or constipation. Fissures can also be caused by hypothyroidism and obesity.
Diseases such as tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, and sexually transmitted illnesses like HIV/AIDS and syphilis cause anal fissures. Such types of fissures take a long time to heal. Sometimes, surgery becomes necessary.
How to Know If You Have Developed an Anal Fissure?
You may feel any one of the following symptoms due to an anal fissure:
- A visible tear in the skin around the anus
- A small lump next to that tear
- Sharp pain during bowel movements
- Streaks of blood with stool
- Burning or itching in the anus
What is the Possible Treatment for Anal Fissures?
Study shows that most anal fissures heal with nonoperative management such as a high fiber diet, sitz bath, and pharmacological agents. But when an anal fissure gets serious, you must consult a doctor. When a doctor diagnoses your anal fissure, he may prescribe one of the following treatments:
Nitroglycerin to Apply Externally
Your doctor may give you nitroglycerin to apply externally around the anal area. It helps increase blood flow to the fissure and promotes healing. It also relaxes the anal sphincter.
Although, there could be side effects such as severe headaches.
Topical Anesthetic Creams
Topical anesthetic creams such as lidocaine hydrochloride (Xylocaine) may be helpful for pain relief.
Botox Injections
Botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injection may be prescribed that paralyzes the anal sphincter muscle and relax spasms.
Blood Pressure Medications
Blood pressure medications, such as oral nifedipine (Procardia) or diltiazem (Cardizem) can help relax the anal sphincter. You can take these medications orally or apply them externally.
Are There Any Home Remedies for Anal Fissures?
Anal fissure takes about 4-6 weeks to heal. To cure fissures permanently, you may want to try something on your own.
If the treatment is not effective, or if you don’t want to go to a doctor, you can try some home remedies, foods, and lifestyle changes to prevent and treat anal fissures:
Take Hot Sitz Baths
You can take a hot sitz bath when suffering from anal fissures.
Place a small bowl on top of a toilet seat. Fill it with warm water and a little Epsom salt. Let the salt dissolve. Sit on this seat for some time.
This will reduce your pain and burning sensation in the anal area. It also helps clean the anal fissures.
Include More Fibers in Your Diet
It is important to include a lot of fiber in your diet. Fiber can help you pass your stools with ease and can also help with constipation problems. Some fiber-rich foods are; legumes, whole grains, nuts, avocadoes, pears, berries, coconut, peas, flax seeds, chia seeds, chickpeas, turnip, and broccoli.
Use Stool Softeners
If you’re having trouble passing the stools, the first thing you should do is drink a lot of water. When you first get out of bed, drink a glass of warm water to help with bowel motions.
Stool softeners are prescription medications that you can use after discussing with your doctor.
Add a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet instead of processed foods, along with plenty of water. Fruits and vegetables are high in fiber and are also easy to digest.
Fruits and vegetables rich in water content can help you in easing constipation e.g, watermelon, spinach, strawberries, tomato, cucumber, celery, muskmelon, cabbage, etc.
Do Regular Workout
If you are overweight or obese, you must exercise consistently to lose weight and maintain a healthy weight. Even if you are in good shape, you must continue to exercise to maintain your fitness.
Regular exercise not only helps you maintain a healthy weight but also improves your body’s metabolism and makes it easier to pass stools.
Do you know that some people use the restroom to pass stools after working out? Additionally, working out increases blood flow to all parts of the body, which aids in the healing of anal fissures.
Avoid Straining During Bowel Movements
During a bowel movement, try to relax the muscles in the anal canal intentionally. This can help you avoid sphincter tone increases, which can lead to fissures.
Go to the Bathroom When You Feel the Urge
When you hold on to a bowel movement for a long time, it becomes more difficult to pass. This should be avoided at all costs.
Use Olive Oil
Olive oil is a powerful natural laxative that can help you get your bowel movements under control. They contain anti-inflammatory qualities and can help the stool flow more readily.
To use, combine equal parts olive oil, honey, and beeswax in a mixing basin. Microwave it until the beeswax is completely melted.
Allow it to cool before applying it to the infected area. It should be repeated as needed.
Read more about olive oil benefits.
Try Aloe Vera: The Mother of All Ailments
Aloe Vera contains pain-relieving qualities and can help with anal fissure symptoms. They also aid in the restoration of skin tissues that have been injured.
Cut one leaf from an Aloe Vera plant and slice it, then scoop out the gel with a spoon.
You can also use organic Aloe Vera gel that is available in the market.
Relax for a while after applying this gel to the affected area. Use it again and again to get better results.
Read some more health benefits of aloe vera.
Use Apple Cider Vinegar
Pectin, a type of fiber found in apple cider vinegar, aids digestion and facilitates bowel movement. In this way, you can avoid anal fissures. Apple cider vinegar can be consumed by combining it with honey in water.
Use Flax Seeds
Flax seeds have a laxative effect, which helps with bowel movement strain. These seeds are also high in fiber and omega 3 fatty acids, which can aid with constipation and anal fissures.
In a glass of water, dissolve a tablespoon of flax seeds powder. To manage your bowel movements, drink this solution before going to bed.
Coconut Oil to Treat Anal Fissure
Coconut oil is an excellent lubricator. Because coconut oil contains triglycerides, it aids in the healing of the anal fissure.
Coconut oil can be applied to the affected area. To avoid anal fissures, repeat this procedure 2-3 times every day.
Read about the uses and health benefits of coconut oil.
Must Avoid Junk Food
Junk foods cause indigestion, which exacerbates the anal fissure problem. If you have constipation, it is strongly advised that you avoid junk foods.
Eat Fruits With More Water
High water-containing foods help to keep you hydrated. It also promotes bowel movement and improves the digestion process which results in less straining during the passing of stool.
Some of these fruits are; strawberry, cucumber, pineapple, peaches, oranges, etc.
Takeaway!
These home remedies may have lasting or temporary effects depending on the severity of the fissure. However, to achieve a complete cure, you will most likely need to stick with these remedies for a long period.
It’s also a good idea to go in for regular checkups to avoid a recurrence. Consult a well-known gastroenterologist for your anal fissure checkup and treatment. Book an appointment via Healthwire.pk or call at (042) 32500989.
