How to Heal a Fissure

Healing a Fissure

In medicine, a fissure refers to an anal fissure, where there is a tear in the lower rectum. An anal fissure will cause pain when you have bowel movements. An anal fissure usually heals with home care within a few days or weeks. If, however, you have an anal fissure that lasts more than 6 weeks, you may require the care of a doctor.

Things You'll Need

• Fiber Stool softener Nitroglycerin medication

Instructions

1. Take 2 sitz baths 3 times a day. A sitz bath is a shallow tub of warm water. Fill a clean bathtub with approximately 1 foot of water. Soak in the tub for 20 minutes, 3 times a day.

2. Increase fiber in your diet. You can take fiber supplements, like Fiber Choice, as well as eat shredded wheat cereal and bran muffins for breakfast. Fiber will soften the stool and make it easier to pass.

3. Take stool softener. Over-the-counter stool softeners, like Dulcolax, may be purchased at your local drugstore. Stool softeners draw water into the stool to make it softer and easier to pass.

4. Consult a doctor. If you are still experiencing pain after 6 weeks when passing stool, make an appointment with your doctor. She will most likely prescribe you with a cream medication containing nitroglycerin.

5. Get surgery. If your anal fissure is not remedied by the nitroglycerin medication, your doctor may have to perform a lateral internal sphincterotomy. The lateral internal sphincterotomy will relieve the pressure on the internal sphincter, to relax the anal fissure.

Tips & Warnings

• Side effects from nitroglycerin medications include low blood pressure and fainting.

• Contact your doctor if you are experiencing severe anal bleeding.

References

• Mayo Clinic: Anal Fissure

Resources

• Anal Fissure