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Conditions

Anal Fissure

A fissure on the tongue, similar to that found on the anus

An anal fissure is a small tear of the skin just inside the opening of the anus, which are very common in people of all ages, but are most common in teenagers and young adults. Frequently no cause is found for an anal fissure, but they can occur on other parts of the body (the image above shows one on the tongue). However, it is commonly linked to constipation, where straining on hard stools (a feeling akin to trying to pass a house brick) can tear the skin of the anus. The resulting fissure can cause a sharp, knife-like pain, especially when opening the bowels. It may also bleed a little and stain the toilet paper with bright red blood. But before you declare the toilet a crime scene, it’s worth remembering that an anal fissure, whilst painful and sometimes upsetting, is very rarely serious and will usually heal on its own in a couple of weeks. But if it doesn’t, then get your GP to have a look – they’ll have seen it all before.

What the Men in White Coats Say

Comments

The EB doctors have been looking at your comments and have answered some of the common questions below. Remember that it is always best to check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.

You can share your experiences and thoughts with other Embarrassing Bodies site-users below. Comments are reviewed before they are published.
Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out the Channel 4 Health site or NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.

im a 38 male and for the last year ive had blood down the toilet as well as wiping its getting really bad to a point where there is blood clots sometimes but the entire water is red and becoming worrying ive self examined with a mirror and see no piles or anything else

i have the same problem scince ive had my baby 6 months ago it hurts to go the toilet it feels asif sum1 is stabbin me an its bleeding im so scared to go to the doctors im a very selfcontious about myself please help me

well it really hurts, it feels like my crack has ripped and i have to sit on my vagina to actually feel comftable it happens right after i go toilet and when i poo it hurts like hell. i dont no what it is but its alot similar to the dicription about anul fissure

i have had terrible trouble going for a poo ever since i was heavily pregnant with my first child 5 yrs ago, since then ive had another child and again going the loo was dreadfull, like a lot of these comments i tried not to eat much so i wouldnt need to go but it didnt work, ive been to the docs a few times and been examined and told as well as piles i had a fissure and was given cream to heal it, it didnt work so i rang for a repeat perscription and that didnt work either, then i noticed a light green puss type liquid on the toilet paper when i wiped myself, i couldnt get in to the docs and i was going on hols so i told doc on phone and he told me to stop using what the other doc had given me and start using the new stuff he also gave me antibiotics, which havent worked, went back to docs she sent me for swob, it came back clear but obviously its not as i still have this smelly green puss on my oilet tissue and it still kills when i go the loo! the docs just dont seem to know what to do or me either, i dont get a lot of time to get to the docs and it seems pointless anyway! what can it be and what should i use to get rid of this once and for all!??

i think i have the same, since i had my baby 5months ago, its getting to the point i dont want to eat because the pain when going to the toilet is unbearable, its almost as bad as giving birth again everytime i need to go, like its splitting or tearing and is always sore after i have been. i had the pain during and after my labor too but my midwife didnt beleive me and said nothing was wrong, so ive been suffering since. i cant stand it anymore and im even too embarassed to tell my partner, let alone going to the doctor? is there anything at home or creams i can try? please help..

im not sure how long iv had Fissures i no its a long time but now its getting so painfull i cnt bare to go were as before i could find a position to go and it wouldent hurt as much iv got cream from the docs its helping but it sill so painfull and im afraid to go to the toilet the stool isent hard its quite soft iv been eating high fibre diets and it done the job of making the stool softer but it still so pain full what else is there i can do to ease the pain of going because its getting to a point were i dont want to eat as it means i have to go to the toilet

I saw the programme where a lady complained of never feeling clean – she was diagnosed with a fissure or gulley. I feel I may have the same condition – following the birth of my seecond child (7 years ago!) I assumed it was piles at the time and treated it accordingly but I've never been quite confident again. How do I go about approaching my doctor to get this fixed?

Would I be able to use Fibrogel and DulcoEase together, I take Fibrogel now which stopps the constipation but the start of my stool is always hard and lumpy, would the two together make the stool soft ? I am thinking if the stools are soft I would'nt get the pain from the fissure, and it would maybee heal.

I am 47 and watched one of your shows relating to a woman who's embarrasing illness was that she spent a long time wiping her bottom due to stimulation of more faeces. You diagnosed her with a gulley. Can you advise me where to check up on this on your website.

(cont…)Sorry the cream is called Bepanthen Ointment.
Ask also your GP for Rectogesic Ointment, this will also help, it will relax the muscle and allow the area to regenerate. I just apply a very very small amount, it causes terrible headaches. The GP has to check if is ok for you, it can be harmful if you have certain conditions.




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