Anal fissures occur in which part?

Written by Wang Ji Zhong
Internal Medicine
Updated on February 02, 2025
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Anal fissures are an extremely common condition in proctology. They occur in the fragile and narrowest tissue of the anal canal due to the combined effect of various internal and external factors, leading to the opening and cracking of the digestive tract outlet up to the dentate line and the surface of the anal margin. The oval-shaped small ulcers that form from anal fissures usually occur at the anal region, aligning parallel to the longitudinal direction of the anal canal. The condition is often recurrent and difficult to heal. The angle continuation between the anal canal and the rectum means that the posterior wall of the anal canal is under the most pressure during bowel movements. Therefore, the posterior midline is most susceptible to injury and is also the most common site for the occurrence of anal fissures.

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Written by Hu Xiang Dang
Colorectal Surgery Department
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symptoms of anal fissure

What are the symptoms of an anal fissure? The most typical symptoms of an anal fissure are clinically manifested in three aspects: pain, rectal bleeding, and constipation. Firstly, constipation: Many patients with anal fissures generally first exhibit symptoms of constipation. Then, due to the dryness and bulkiness of the stool, the skin around the anus tears, forming an anal fissure. Subsequently, because of anal pain, the patient fears defecation, which over time exacerbates the hardness of the stool. As constipation worsens, it can aggravate the fissure, thereby creating a vicious cycle. The second main symptom is pain, which is not only the most significant symptom of an anal fissure but also potentially the most intensely felt by the patient. The skin around the anus is sensitive, and damage to this skin can cause significant pain. The degree and duration of the pain can also indicate the severity of the fissure. Typically, the pain from an anal fissure is cyclical. It usually occurs during defecation, followed by a few minutes of relief. Then, pain is stimulated by the contraction of the internal anal sphincter, causing sustained spasms of the sphincter, leading to severe pain. This pain can last for several minutes or even hours. During this time, the patient may feel extremely uncomfortable and find it unbearable, some only finding relief when the sphincter muscles relax after fatigue. Then, the pain reoccurs with the next bowel movement, characterized by its cyclic nature. The third main symptom is rectal bleeding. Patients may notice droplets of blood during defecation, sometimes spotting a few drops of bright red blood in the toilet bowl or seeing streaks of blood on the stool, occasionally mixed with intestinal mucus. When wiping the anus, sometimes the toilet paper shows red blood. However, the amount of bleeding is related to the size and depth of the fissure—the larger and deeper the fissure, the more bleeding occurs. Additionally, some patients may experience itching around the anus. The ulcerated surface of the fissure, along with secretions from the anal glands, irritates the skin around the anus, which can lead to perianal eczema and itching.

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Written by Wang Ji Zhong
Internal Medicine
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Are anal fissures and hemorrhoids the same thing?

Hemorrhoids and anal fissures are common clinical conditions, but their symptoms are completely different. Generally, they both share a common symptom, which is the presence of rectal bleeding, and this bleeding is usually bright red blood. The difference between anal fissures and hemorrhoids is that anal fissures primarily cause pain, while hemorrhoids primarily cause bleeding. Hemorrhoids only cause severe pain when external hemorrhoids become inflamed and swollen, while anal fissures often involve enlargement of the anal papillae. Hemorrhoids do not involve enlargement of the anal papillae, and while anal fissures can involve skin tears around the anal canal, hemorrhoids do not. During a digital rectal exam, this can be diagnosed; hemorrhoids are caused by poor local venous circulation, leading to venous congestion and the formation of vascular bulges. Depending on their location, they are divided into internal and external hemorrhoids. Anal fissures are skin tears located on the more lateral parts of the anus, and during defecation, the tear worsens, bleeding and causing severe pain, whereas hemorrhoids usually do not cause severe pain.

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Written by Yu Xu Chao
Colorectal Surgery
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What is the best treatment for a minor anal fissure?

Minor anal fissures, which are early-stage fissures, mainly manifest as pain during defecation and minor bleeding, but the pain does not last long and is primarily associated with defecation. For minor fissures, it is generally recommended to choose conservative treatment with medications and dietary regulation to ensure smooth bowel movements. Typically, after defecation, one can choose to use an anal cleansing solution or a potassium permanganate solution for a sitz bath. After the sitz bath, apply Dragon Ball ointment or nitroglycerin ointment locally to promote the healing of the ulcerated surface. At the same time, in terms of diet, one should drink more water and consume foods rich in dietary fiber to maintain smooth bowel movements as much as possible, avoiding dry and hard stools, which also helps in the healing of minor anal fissures. Additionally, patients should pay attention to keeping the anal area dry and clean, avoid irritating the wound, and prevent infection that could exacerbate the condition.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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What should pregnant women do about constipation and anal fissures?

During pregnancy, due to some special reasons, pregnant women are prone to constipation, and severe cases may develop anal fissures, bleeding, and pain. In such cases, it is first necessary to change the diet to a light one, eat more vegetables and fruits, drink more water, and develop good bowel habits. Avoid squatting for long periods. Additionally, enemas can be used to help with bowel movements, and anti-inflammatory ointments can be applied locally to the anal fissure area for disinfection. Using warm water for sitz baths can also relieve the pain from constipation and anal fissures. Routine abdominal and anal massages can alleviate symptoms and promote bowel movements.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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Anal fissure bleeding symptoms

The most common clinical symptoms of anal fissure, apart from the intense tearing pain in the anal area, include bleeding during bowel movements. The bleeding from anal fissures is typically bright red, and the amount of blood can increase with the severity of the condition due to repeated stretching of the fissure. Particularly during acute episodes of anal fissures or after defecation, bleeding from the local fissure can be more significant. Patients with bleeding anal fissures generally have a history of dry stools, so the first step in treating anal fissure bleeding is to lubricate the stool. Additionally, topical medications should be applied to the bleeding fissure to promote healing, and hemorrhoid creams with hemostatic properties can be used locally to help stop the bleeding. (Please use medications under the guidance of a professional physician, and do not self-medicate.)