Top products from r/AnalFissures

I am not a doctor, just a patient.

Stay hydrated. Figure out why you are straining and start making changes to your diet as soon as possible. Not enough fiber? Get some psyllium husk tablets. Hard stool? Colace(stool softener) I recommend both. It is extremely important to stay hydrated. Dehydration while on any of those will make bowel movements worse. Try to take a shower after every bowel movement, but avoid soap. You do not want to make the same mistake as me and let your skin dry out. If you do use soap I recommend vaseline or a&d ointment after a wash. Cold water may feel relaxing and numb the pain, but remember to do warm water sitz baths as well. The key to healing is increasing blood flow. The blood flow is low in the rectum so healing can take quite some time. Despite how much blood you might see after a bowel movement. Applying heat will increase blood flow. Unfortunately for you the pain from the fissure comes from your sphincter spasming and it will be hard to stop that without prescription medication. You might have some success with lidocaine, but that can be costly(see Dr. Butlers cream). Over the counter pain medicine will help as well. Avoid opioids(can cause constipation). True pain relief comes with the nitroglycerin ointment. Which also increases blood flow to the area and relaxes the muscle. Yes get the baby wipes, but I would avoid the neosporin and get the dr. butlers cream while you wait for an appointment to get the nitroglycerin. I highly recommend getting the nitro. Also look into lifting your legs while on the toilet into a squatting position. Don't wait on getting treatment for this. Although not life threatening if you wait and it gets worse you will regret it, trust me. Make an appointment to see a doctor/specialist if you can afford it. Maybe look into fasting for a day or two, or even intermittent fasting. Give your fissure some time to start healing before irritating it again with another bowel movement. You can't stop pooping, but you can limit how much you do it. If you do fast do some research on keeping your electrolytes in check. Like I said you do not want to become dehydrated. Good luck and stay hydrated!

Agree with Scott______Miller, you should definitely go see a specialist like a gastroenterologist or colorectal surgeon. Depending on your insurance, you may need to see a GP first and have them refer you. The specialist will be able to immediately diagnose what you have.

If it's a fissure you will need a medicated cream like nifedipine, diltiazem or nitroglycerine. The over the counter stuff just doesn't work- especially hemorrhoid medication. The OTCs usually contain mostly lidocaine, which is just a numbing agent and does nothing to stop the spasming you feel. This spasming is what is causing the pain because it pulls on your fissure and continues to reopen it. These medicated fissure creams are basically muscle relaxants designed to stop the muscle spasm, which will stop your pain.

Nitro is definitely known to cause headaches. Most people choose it anyway because it is the only medication covered by insurance. The other medications (nifedipine and diltiazem) are made at compounding pharmacies and usually require an out of pocket expense (between $30-$80). Depending on your insurance, they may cover a portion of your compounded medication. If you can afford it definitely get the nifedipine or dilitiazem- they are far superior to the nitro and don't cause debilitating headaches. Whichever you choose make sure you apply it inside the anus. There are applicators available so you don't have to use your finger. (https://www.amazon.com/DoseRite-Applicators-Anal-Fissure-Reusable/dp/B07H9D9D6X). These creams are not designed to heal your fissure, but to eliminate your pain so your fissure can heal on its own. It's important to continue to eat soft foods and perform sitz baths regularly to encourage healing.

If these don't work there are other options like botox and LIS surgery that can help, but these are for chonic fissure sufferers. Your colorectal or gastro specialist will be able to provide more detailed options. Remember over 1M people suffer from fissures every year so you are not alone.

Best of luck in your recovery!

It's a bowl that goes over the toilet. It helps with bleeding. Here's what it looks like: https://www.amazon.com/Medical-Sitz-Bath-Retail-Neutral/dp/B0029SECMS?ref_=Oct_RAsinC_Ajax_3775341_2

I live in the Caribbean, Trinidad. so you are saying that this item on Amazon will not do the job in reducing sphincter spasm? BTW does very warm sitz bath reduce Sphincter spasm?
I think we might have calcium channel blocker down here, I checked numerous pharmacies they say they only have GTN Nitro in tablet form for heart condition but I didn't ask for calcium channel blockers in cream form as yet
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BCN4K5K/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

I wonder if this is the same stuff?

​

https://www.amazon.com/Mamisan-Unguento-100-grams/dp/B004DR5CG8

​

It looks the same, but who knows if it contains the same ingredients

https://www.amazon.com/Wet-Platinum-Lube-Silicone-Lubricant/dp/B000PRA724/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=wet+lube&qid=1574193106&sr=8-1