How to Get Anal Itchiness Relief
Anal itching can be incredibly difficult to deal with and may make you feel embarrassed. We provide some efficient ways to get relief from intense anal itching here.
Painful Bowel Movements: Is an Anal Fissure to Blame?
Dealing with pain every time you have a bowel movement can be incredibly frustrating, and it can happen for several reasons, one of which is anal fissures.
An anal fissure is a tear or crack in the tissue that lines your anal canal. The tissue damage can happen slowly over time, or it can be from acute trauma. No matter the cause, it can cause you to bleed during bowel movements and be in a lot of pain, even for several hours after you’ve finished using the toilet.
In some cases, the tissue damage can heal on its own; however, if the pain and bleeding lasts for longer than six weeks, the anal fissure is considered chronic and may need professional medical intervention.
At the Midwest Hemorrhoid Treatment Center in Town and Country, Missouri, Betsy F. Clemens, MD, leads our team in the diagnosis and treatment of rectal disorders such as anal fissures. In this month’s blog, we discuss how to know when a torn anal canal lining causes your rectal pain and when to seek our help for treatment.
Is it an anal fissure?
Anal fissures can have very similar symptoms to hemorrhoids, so it’s helpful to know some key differences between the two conditions.
The most common cause of anal fissures is anal trauma, and that can happen for several reasons, including straining too hard during bowel movements, having anal sex, or having chronic diarrhea. Having other conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or a sexually transmitted infection (STI) can put you at greater risk for developing an anal fissure.
Pain is the most common symptom of anal fissures, but it’s a very distinct type of pain. It tends to be very sharp and burning and can last several hours after a bowel movement. Some people even say that the pain radiates through their buttocks into their upper legs or lower back. You may also see fresh red blood during a bowel movement.
Hemorrhoids can also cause rectal pain and bleeding, but they don’t always cause pain, while 90% of anal fissures do. Anal fissures also tend to cause severe pain in bursts after a bowel movement, while hemorrhoid pain is more dull and constant.
How to treat an anal fissure
Typically, anal fissures don’t require aggressive or extensive treatment. To relieve pain and other unpleasant symptoms associated with anal fissures, try some of these at-home remedies:
- Taking over-the-counter stool softeners
- Drinking hydrating fluids to improve digestion
- Using fiber supplements to promote regular bowel movements
- Taking baths to reduce pain and irritation
- Applying hydrocortisone cream or topical pain relievers for pain and inflammation
If these at-home treatments aren’t effective or you don’t get any relief after having symptoms for six weeks, schedule an appointment with our team to receive expert care. We can suggest some more aggressive medications or recommend surgery when necessary.
To book an appointment with us, call our office or use our online scheduling tool today.
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