Anal fissure- chronic

[Bettyooze]

Hi, I’m a regular poster under a different name (due to embarrassment!)
I have a chronic anal fissure that I think began as a result of my ridiculously large stools (a problem I’ve suffered with since childhood- despite a good diet and plenty of fluids etc)

I’d say I’ve had it for a couple of years, though it flares up and down. There’s pretty much always bleeding after I’ve been to the toilet.

When it does flare up, the itching is unbearable. The pain doesn’t really bother me, but the itching causes me a lot of distress. I manage by using numbing cream to try and ‘numb’ the itch.

Is there anything else i can get to try and help with this? Bothering a GP over an itchy bum seems a bit silly!

I don’t think it’s a particularly bad one as such, it’s just insanely itchy. The more I itch, the relief is instant but short lived. The itch comes back ten fold within 15 seconds. So I try not to itch and just put numbing cream on it and do my best to ignore it.

Hi, thank you for being so open — that takes courage, even anonymously.
Chronic anal fissures are definitely not a small issue, and what you're describing sounds painful and mentally exhausting. You're absolutely not alone, and it’s not silly at all to speak to a GP — it’s actually really important, especially since you’ve had bleeding for a while and the itching is affecting your quality of life.
Here are a few things you might want to look into (maybe with a GP or pharmacist):

• GTN or Diltiazem cream – these prescription creams help heal fissures by increasing blood flow and relaxing the muscle.
• Hydrocortisone (mild steroid) creams – can help reduce the inflammation and itching, but only short-term use.
• Sitz baths – soaking in warm water (no soap) for 10–15 mins, especially after bowel movements, can really help.
• Try a stool softener or psyllium husk – even if your diet is good, this can make a difference in stool size and reduce irritation.
• Moist wipes instead of dry toilet paper – avoid over-wiping, which worsens itching.
• Avoid spicy foods, caffeine, and alcohol – they can irritate the area more than we think.

Also, the itch-scratch cycle is very real and hard to break — the short relief followed by worse itching is a known pattern. You're already showing a lot of self-control by resisting the urge to scratch, which is good. I really encourage you to see a GP — they’ve seen it all before, and getting proper treatment could make a big difference in your comfort and healing. You're not overreacting. You're taking care of your health — and that's always worth it.

Go and see your GP; you won't be wasting her/his time.

Wype toilet gel is really gentle and soothing. I have a fissure that opens up now and and again but posting this has made me realise since I’ve been using the Wype gel (about three months) it hasn’t happened 😊

I had a chronic anal fissure many years ago. I had all the topical medications then on offer from the GP, nothing worked. The pain when I had a bowel movement was ….intense.

In desperation I started applying Rescue Remedy cream as my partner remembered it had been helpful for little cracks on my fingers. My partner helped me apply it internally using a nozzle that came off a medication tube - I couldn’t do it myself as so painful.

I’m extremely sceptical about alternative medicine but unbelievably, the fissure healed after doing this for a week or so. It’s never come back. I told the GP and she said that my next step would have been surgery; she’d been expecting to refer me for that.

Just sharing in case you’re interested in that sort of approach. But I agree with PPs you should definitely see a GP for this and you won’t be wasting their time.

Thank you so much to everyone who has commented. The flare up has calmed down a bit now but I will make an appointment with the GP and try to get over my embarrassment.

I use a hand cream called O’Keefes on my hands (it’s brilliant stuff). Do you reckon it might be ok on my bum?? It’s unscented so shouldn’t cause any irritation.

I had surgery for my skin tags and botox. For a good few months u thought it hadn't worked. Now finally free of it. Ask to be seen.

I also recommend wype for cleaning.

Please see your GP. I had an op and botox which finally got rid of mine after a decade. thanks crappy midwife who wouldn't let me have stool softener.
I will always have to eat a bit less and be active though. Too much sitting down can be tricky.

I had similar issues a while ago (not an anal fissure but itchy skin, no idea what caused it) and my GP prescribed Lotriderm - it cannot be used for very long and only in small amounts on unbroken skin but it was brilliant for stopping the itching.

Hi sorry to hijack this thread but since there are people here who have experienced a fissure, can you see yours? What does it look like? I’ve been to the GP and told I have one but online it describes them as “small tears” and what I have is definitely larger than a small tear! It’s almost the width of the tip of my little finger.
Been given GTN cream but trouble getting it from pharmacy so still waiting to get started with it but I honestly can’t see how this will heal. Thanks.