Anal Fissure Remedies

While fissures typically take several weeks to heal, at-home remedies can significantly decrease pain and discomfort within a few days. If bleeding and/or pain continues after trying at-home treatment, contact a healthcare provider. 

To quickly mend your acute (sudden and short-term) anal fissure, here is a list of our favorite at-home remedies and when and how to use them.

Take all medications as directed. Misuse can have adverse effects.

Remedies for chronic (persistent or recurring) anal fissures.

Do you have other remedies that have helped you? Contact us. We'd love to hear about them.

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Reduce Stress and Anxiety

A tear in your anal canal can be debilitating, which in turn may cause you stress and/or anxiety, specifically when going to the bathroom. Here are a few tips to help reduce your bathroom stress:

Sitz Bath

Sit in shallow warm water for 10 to 20 minutes several times a day. These baths will help heal your wound faster by relaxing your anal sphincter and increasing blood flow.

Sitz baths can also provide instant relief for pain caused by anal fissures while cleansing your rectum. You can use a bathtub for a sitz bath, or you can use a small basin that fits over your toilet like this. 

A full-body bath is also an option and provides the same benefits as a sitz bath. The upside to a full-body bath is that it can relax your whole body and decrease stress in addition to reducing pain in your anus.

Fun tip: add Epsom salt to your bath, which has anti-inflammatory and calming properties. Although many healthcare providers recommend Epsom salt, there is no scientific data that confirms its healing properties, but we still use it! Here's a link to our favorite bath soaks by Thistle Farms.

Lidocaine

When you feel the urge to use the bathroom, apply lidocaine to your anus to numb the area and greatly reduce your pain.

Some creams include an applicator, and some include finger cots/finger condoms. Be sure not to use your bare hands when applying lidocaine, or the skin on your fingers may become numb. 

Lidocaine is approved for short-term use. If your anal fissure persists after several weeks, seek medical help.

(Un)Petroleum Jelly

Petroleum jelly is a lubricant you can apply to your anus to assist stool to pass smoothly. For the biggest impact, insert a dollop inside your anal canal before using the bathroom. Petroleum jelly and lidocaine can be mixed and applied together. Be sure to wear gloves or a finger cot for easy cleanup and to keep lidocaine off of your fingers.

There are many sources that list petroleum jelly as a go-to anal fissure treatment, however, we prefer natural, plant-based alternatives:

Stool Softener

Stool softeners like Colace reduce the firmness of your bowel movements. Use as directed or overuse can result in diarrhea (ouch!). Stool softeners may take 24 to 48 hours to work. While you wait for results, continue to use the bathroom as usual, increase your water and fiber intake, and apply topical creams.

Fiber

In addition to stool softeners, fiber supplements like psyllium husk powder or a diet with high-fiber foods can also soften your stools. When stool is easier to pass, bowel movements will be less painful.

Some of our favorite high-fiber foods:

  • Raspberries

  • Beans

  • Apples

  • Green peas

  • Whole wheat pasta

  • Oatmeal

Click here for more high-fiber food ideas from Mayo Clinic.

Some foods should be avoided because they cause irregular-shaped stool, constipation, or diarrhea. These foods include:

  • Highly-processed foods

  • Spicy foods

  • Sugary foods

  • Salty foods

  • Popcorn

  • Nuts

  • Tortilla chips

Our bodies require a healthy, balanced diet to promote healing. There is no data to support that fasting or liquid diets improve anal fissure pain. In fact, liquid diets may have an adverse effect and result in diarrhea or constipation. 

Hydrate

Hydration is the quickest natural remedy to soften stool.

Ways to get hydrated:

Alcohol and high-sugar drinks should be avoided because they are dehydrating and cause constipation.

Coffee and other caffeinated drinks are no longer believed to be dehydrating as long as you stick to moderate intake. 

Ibuprofen

Anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen can help you manage your pain and decrease the inflammation caused by your anal fissure. Avoid narcotic painkillers as these can lead to constipation and worsen the tear.

Go When You Feel the Urge

Continuing to use the bathroom as you normally would is extremely important to your anal fissure recovery. 

Abstaining from using the bathroom can make things worse because the longer the stool stays in your intestines, the more dehydrated and harder it gets. 

Abstaining from using the bathroom can make fissures worse. The longer the stool remains in your intestines, the more dehydrated and harder the stool becomes. Firm stool can irritate your rectum, re-injuring fissures or making them difficult to heal. As soon as you feel the urge to defecate, go to the bathroom.

Keep a kit of your go-to remedies in the bathroom. We are fans of this Tucks kit with travel-sized lidocaine cream and medicated wipes.

Do Not Strain

When using the bathroom, do not force your stool out as this can worsen your anal fissure. If you find yourself pushing, take a deep breath and practice relaxing your rectum and anus to let the bowel movement pass with minimal pressure. Using a footstool like a Squatty Potty or a foldable stool so that your knees are above your hips is also highly recommended. This position relaxes your pelvic floor muscles and keeps you from straining.

Keep a kit of your go-to remedies in the bathroom. We are fans of this Tucks kit with travel-sized lidocaine cream and medicated wipes.

Pre-Moistened Wipes

Using fragrance-free and alcohol-free wipes like Tucks Pads or Dude Wipes after bowel movements can be far less irritating than dry toilet paper. You can pat dry with toilet paper after using wet wipes to avoid skin irritation. 

We are fans of witch hazel wipes like Tucks pads because witch hazel is an astringent with anti-inflammatory and hygienic properties. You can also apply them to the skin as a compress for additional relief. Tucks suggests applying them for up to 15 minutes, while some healthcare providers suggest even longer. Our favorite tip: fold the pad, place it between your cheeks, then go on your way. Heads up, the pad may get your underwear and pants wet when you sit down.  

Witch hazel can irritate some people's skin, so if you notice an allergic reaction, use a different type of wipe.

Avoid wipes that contain alcohol as an active or inactive ingredient.

Exercise/Be Active

Once you have a good pain management routine and feel like you can move around more freely, consider getting active. Physical activity promotes blood flow, and more blood flow promotes healing of your anal fissure. Opt for an easy activity like walking and avoid strenuous exercises.

Chronic Anal Fissures

If you do not see relief within eight weeks, your fissure is considered chronic. This may indicate other underlying health issues. Consult with your healthcare provider for additional testing and exam.

Possible remedies for chronic anal fissures:

  • Topical calcium channel blockers

  • Botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injection

  • Blood pressure medications

  • Surgery

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