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Fissures Treatment

Anal fissures are small tears in tissue of the lower rectum, causing bleeding and pain during bowel movements. While most common in babies, these fissures also occur commonly among adults, and most times heal on their own with proper treatment.

  1. Petroleum Jelly

    • Petroleum jelly works to lubricate the rectum, allowing for a bowel movement with less friction. Using a cotton swab or tissue, apply petroleum jelly to the rectal area two to three times per day, or before bowel movements when possible. This will ease tearing in the tissue around the rectum that makes fissures worse. Pain will also be minimized as the jelly will work as a lubricant, passing the bowel movement more easily.

    Numbing Cream

    • Numbing cream is available over the counter and works effectively to ease pain associated with bowel movements. These creams can be purchased at any drug store, usually found near hemorrhoid creams. Apply this cream 10 minutes before a bowel movement when possible, and this will numb the fissures and ease pain as the movement passes.

    Sitz Baths

    • Sitz bath is a term basically meaning "to sit in a bath." While you can purchase a small sitz bath that fits the lower pelvic region only, you can also make your own sitz bath in your regular bath tub, or large basin. Run about 6 inches of warm water, and ease the buttocks into the bath. If using the bathtub, keep feet out of the water, to prevent bacteria from entering the bath, which could further inflame the fissures. Soak for about 15 minutes, then pat the area dry. This bath works to keep the rectum bacteria-free, while the warm water eases pain and inflammation. Repeat as often as you like, as pain persists. Always clean out the bath or basin thoroughly to prevent any bacteria from forming.

    Medical Procedures

    • If at-home treatments don't heal fissures on their own, consider botox injections or surgery. Botox can be injected directly into the muscles of the anus which works to relieve pain and inflammation. A minor surgery can also be performed to the relax the muscles of the anus, relieving pain and inflammation.

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