Anal fissure is a painful rupture or ulcer in the anal canal and it occurs anywhere between the mucous membranes and the furthest skin of the anus. Individuals struggling with anal fissures experience a prickly, constricting, sticking pain during bowel movement and it continues for about an hour afterwards.
Such pains are usual as the crevice hinges on the sphincter muscle of the anus that twinges when it comes in contact with the passing stool. In such cases, it is common to find marks of fresh blood on the toilet paper.
It may be noted that anal fissures are attributed to a combined tension caused by constipation coupled with irritated and arid skin owing to too much rubbing or squeezing, using coarse toilet paper or having large stools that are extremely firm.
Owing to the humidity as well as continuously coming in contact with fecal waste, this region of the body heals very sluggishly and necessitates some meticulous treatment. As any bowel movement is excruciating, constipation is not the solitary widespread reason, but it is also a fall-out of anal fissure. In most cases, children as well as elderly people generally develop this painful condition.
Even prior to curing anal fissures, it is essential to treat constipation with immediate effect. Including sufficient amounts of fluids and fiber in the diet will help to ease the sufferings by means of making the feces softer. At the same time, it is essential to consume plenty of fruits, such as apples, prunes, pineapples and figs.
Also, drinking juices of carrot, raw beet or celery will help to alleviate the condition. However, it is advisable that you keep off bran, since it is extremely course on anal fissures. As a substitute, you may take psyllium husks along with lots of water, as it will yield the required results.
Taking two or three teaspoons of flax seed oil daily also assists in making the stool softer and facilitates in lubricating the colon's mucous walls. People suffering from constipation or enduring anal fissures ought to also keep away from refined foods as well as dairy products, as they only aggravate constipation.
Specific herbs and supplements are able to support the healing of anal fissures. For instance, internal and external use of vitamin E helps in hastening the healing of this painful condition. In order to apply vitamin E to the mucus membranes, cut a capsule containing the nutrient and apply it to the affected area regularly according to requirement.
Remember that using herbal medications offers fast and calming respite from the tetchy skin caused by anal fissures. At the same time, it is important to keep the area around the anus strictly hygienic by means of rinsing the region using a cotton cloth drenched in a warm infusion prepared from chamomile and witch hazel. It may be noted that while use of chamomile hastens the healing process, witch hazel helps to constrict the blood vessels.
In addition, you may also apply ointments prepared from calendula to ease the pain and itching in the affected area. Alternately, you may also apply infusion prepared from aloe vera gel, St. John's wort oil or plantain to speed up the healing process. Infusions prepared from these herbs may be applied thrice every day or as required.
Administering fluid injections prepared from slippery elm in the rectum also facilitates in counteracting the acidity and, at the same time, work in the form of shock absorbers against irritations. Moreover, drinking the juice of stinging nettle also helps to ease the discomfort caused by anal fissures and helps in evacuating bowel. The normal dosage of stinging nettle juice is one teaspoon taken thrice every day.
Besides the above mentioned therapies, rubbing an amalgamation of three herbal oils - aloe vera, buckthorn and tea tree, blended with water or vegetable oil on the skin also helps in alleviating the itchiness. Rub the combination of these oils thrice every day or as required.
Using aromatherapy may be helpful in providing some relief from the pain and inflammation associated with anal fissure. In order to alleviate the pain and uneasiness, cleanse the affected area using warm water added with five drops of lavender oil and one drop of lemon oil.
Specific homeopathic remedies are useful in curing anal fissures as well as easing the symptoms associated with the condition. Uses of a number of such homeopathic remedies are discussed briefly below.
Graphites is the ideal homeopathic remedy in the case of individuals who are eczematous (a stirring condition wherein there is itching of the skin accompanied with exuding of serous substances) and the anus is tremendously excruciating, while the stools are swathed with mucous without any constriction or tenesmus. Patients who require Graphites do not experience any particular tetchiness in the affected areas, but they have anal fissures that are attributable to large feces. However, the effected areas are always smart and painful.
Nitric Acid is a vital homeopathic remedy for anal fissures wherein the patient has a feeling as though there are sticks or splinters in the anus. The affinity of this remedy to the vents of the body makes Nitric acid an important homeopathic medication for healing anal fissures. People who require this remedy have a great deal of constriction or tenesmus accompanied by an unrelenting exuding of foetid substances from the affected parts along with a burning sensation, smarting and soreness.
Paeonia is effective in cases where the anal fissures are accompanied by extreme oozing. In such cases, the anus is nastily moist and painful and also smarts always. Patients requiring Paeonia experience a burning sensation and biting at the affected parts and this often continues for many hours after passing stool. Their pain is so unbearable that they often walk the floor throughout the night.
Silicea is effective in cases where the patients have an irritable sphincter and always feel that a portion of their expelled stool has slipped back. In addition, such patients experience immense pain, which occurs about 30 minutes after passing stool and continues for many hours.
Besides using prescription drugs, homeopathic remedies and herbs and supplements, there are a number of other things that you may do to heal the ruptured mucous membranes in the region of the anus. For instance using a suppository prepared from calendula helps to heal anal fissures rapidly. In addition, taking sporadic sitz-baths also facilitates in augmenting blood circulation in the region of the rectum and, at the same time, stimulates the healing process.
For this, you need to sit in a tub containing warm water for about three minutes and subsequently sit in cold water for about one minute. For best results, do this alternately thrice every day.
Following each bowel movement, you need to wash the anal area mildly using a cotton cloth drenched in warm water. It is important that if you are struggling with anal fissure you should stay away from using soap in the anal area.
In case you are suffering from an anal fissure or your anal sphincter is dehydrated, it is advisable that you apply coconut oil in the area to keep it moist. It may be noted that coconut oil is a wonderful moisturizer for the entire body linings. In addition, it is also apparent that coconut oil possesses curative attributes for wounds. A number of Indonesian healthcare practitioners have been using coconut oil for successfully treating bed sores as well as different skin abrasions.
It has been found that many people are usually afraid to apply coconut oil to the affected areas - the anal sphincter. You need to overcome this fear and apply the oil to the area many times every day.
In case your anal region is dehydrated or you are already suffering from a chronic anal fissure, it is advisable that you would benefit by applying coconut to the affected area all through the day as well as prior to retiring to bed at night. In addition, you may also apply creams containing vitamin A and vitamin D to the anal sphincter. However, it is essential to talk to your physician before purchasing any cream for this purpose.
At the same time, it is also advisable that you submerge your body in either warm or hot water, since it will facilitate in relaxing the interior of your anal sphincter and, thereby, enable improved blood circulation to that region.
When you are struggling with an anal fissure, sitting may prove to be a painful and difficult job. Using a pillow may help you to ease the pain when you are sitting. In effect, there are various types of pillows available in the market for this purpose - pillows filled with liquid, pillows having the shape of a doughnut and many others - and you may purchase any one according to your choice and suitability.
In addition, when you are suffering from anal fissures, it will be helpful if you shed those surplus pounds that you have been exhibiting around since being overweight generally makes you sweat profusely. And sweating, especially between the buttocks, actually inhibits the healing of anal fissures.
Last, but not the least important. When you have an anal fissure ensure that you are not using a coarse toilet paper since it may only aggravate the condition and result in other problems. At the same time, you should wipe the sores carefully because continuous rubbing of the sores may cause them to open up. It is also important that you do not use any fragrant or colourful toilet papers, as these may result in irritation. In this case, it is advisable that you use facial tissues for wiping your bottom.
To cure anal fissure, take vitamin E along with blended tocopherols in standard dosage of 800 IU daily.
