Anal Fissure

An anal fissure is a small tear in the skin at the anus that causes sharp pain and bright red bleeding with bowel movements.

• Constipation (hard or large stools)
• Diarrhea (frequent loose stools)
• Childbirth (strain during delivery)
• Inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., Crohn's disease)

Symptoms

• Severe pain during/after bowel movements
• Bright red blood on stool or toilet paper
• Fear of having bowel movements

Causes

Usually from hard stools, constipation, or diarrhea. Pain causes muscle spasm, which slows healing.

Treatment

Most fissures heal without surgery using:

• High-fiber diet & water
• Stool softeners
• Sitz baths (warm water soaks)
• Topical medications if needed

If it doesn’t heal, options include Botox® injection or lateral i internal sphincterotomy (surgery), both with high success rates.

Important: Anal fissures do not cause cancer, but persistent bleeding should be evaluated.