Fissure

When the skin of the anus gets cut or damaged, that is called an anal fissure. It is very similar to what happens when our dry lips get chaffed. Fissures typically bleed and cause pain, which is why they are often confused with.

What causes an anal fissure?

An anal fissure most often occurs when passing large or hard stools. Chronic constipation or frequent diarrhea can also tear the skin around your anus. Other common causes include:

straining during childbirth or bowel movements

inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease

decreased blood flow to the anorectal area

overly tight or spastic anal sphincter muscles

Treatment

About 9 out of 10 short-term fissures heal with home treatment—including using stool softeners or fiber supplements and taking regular sits baths. And about 4 out of 10 long-term anal fissures will heal after home treatment is used.

But not all fissures will heal with just home treatment. If a fissure lasts more than 8 to 12 weeks, you may need prescription medicines. These may include nitroglycerin cream, high blood pressure medicines in pill or gel form, or injections of botulinum toxin (Botox).

If medicines don't stop your symptoms, you may need to consider surgery. The most commonly used surgery is lateral internal sphincterotomy. In this procedure, a doctor cuts into part of the internal sphincter to relax the spasm that is causing the fissure.