An anal fissure is a break or tear in the skin of the anal canal. Anal fissures may be noticed by bright red anal bleeding on clothes, or sometimes in the toilet. Stretching and tearing can occur when a person passes particularly hard stools. In most people, this skin damage will heal quickly without any problems. However, some people seem to have a higher than normal tone (pressure) of the muscle around the anus (the anal sphincter).
Signs and symptoms:
You may have these symptoms with an anal fissure:
- Pain, sometimes severe, during the passage of stool
- Pain after bowel movements that can last up to several hours
- Bright red blood on the stool or toilet paper after passing stool
- A visible crack in the skin around the anus
- A small lump or skin tag on the skin near the anal fissure
Risk factors:
Certain factors raise the risk for anal fissures, including:
- Constipation with straining to pass hard stool
- Eating a low-fiber diet
- Intense diarrhea
- Recent weight loss surgery, because it leads to frequent diarrhea
- Vaginal childbirth
- Any inflammatory condition of the anal area
When to see a doctor?
Many anal fissures heal on their own. However, it's important to visit your doctor when you see blood in your stool or experience pain around your anus. Your doctor can do a rectal exam. This helps them find a fissure.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/13177-anal-fissures