How to Determine if You Have an Anal Fissure

Nov 14, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Li Jingxiang

Introduction

To determine whether you have an anal fissure, consider the following symptoms: severe pain during bowel movements, dripping of blood after defecation, blood on the stool, itching around the anus, and a sensation of a foreign body in the anal area. These symptoms are often associated with tears in the anal canal skin. If you experience any of these symptoms lasting more than one week, it is advisable to seek medical attention promptly for an accurate diagnosis. Pain occurs when stool passes and rubs against the injured area.

　　To determine whether you have anal fissure, consider the following symptoms: severe pain during defecation, dripping blood after bowel movements, blood in the stool, anal itching, and a sensation of foreign body in the anus. These symptoms are often associated with tears in the anal canal skin. If these symptoms persist for more than one week, it is advisable to seek medical attention promptly for an accurate diagnosis.

　　1. Severe pain during bowel movements: As stool passes over the site of the tear, it causes sharp, cutting or tearing pain that may last from several minutes to hours. The pain may temporarily subside after defecation but can later worsen again.

　　2. Dripping blood after defecation: Fresh red blood may appear on toilet paper after wiping, or small amounts of bright red blood may be seen coating the surface of the stool. The bleeding is usually minimal and resembles the bleeding pattern seen in hemorrhoids, so differentiation is needed.

　　3. Blood in the stool: When the fissure is deep or involves damaged blood vessels, small amounts of bright red blood may mix with the stool. The blood remains鲜红色 (bright red) and does not blend thoroughly with the feces to form black or tarry stools—this is an important distinguishing feature.

　　4. Anal itching: Secretions from the cracked area can irritate the perianal skin, or tissue repair during healing may cause itching and discomfort around the anus, often triggering an urge to scratch.

　　5. Sensation of a foreign body in the anus: Some patients feel as though there is a foreign object inside the anal canal, or experience a noticeable obstruction during bowel movements, which is related to local swelling and scar formation following the injury.

　　In daily life, maintain soft stools by drinking plenty of water and consuming foods rich in dietary fiber; avoid straining during bowel movements and develop regular bowel habits; after defecation, gently clean the anal area with warm water instead of rubbing vigorously, to minimize irritation to the anal canal.

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What should I do if I have rectal bleeding due to anal fissure?

In general, treatment methods for bleeding due to anal fissures in stool include conservative management, topical medication, oral drug therapy, traditional Chinese medicine, and surgical treatment. The key to treating anal fissures lies in preventing recurrence; patients need to maintain healthy eating habits and bowel routines long-term. If symptoms such as increased bleeding, worsening pain, or fever occur during treatment, medical attention should be sought promptly.

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What medications can be used to treat anal fissures?

In general, anal fissure is a small ulcer formed by a full-thickness longitudinal tear in the skin of the anal canal, often accompanied by symptoms such as pain during defecation and rectal bleeding. Patients may follow medical advice to use medications such as nitroglycerin ointment, compound carrageenan cream, lidocaine hydrochloride gel, Ma Yinglong Musk Hemorrhoids Ointment, or erythromycin ointment for treatment. A detailed analysis is as follows:

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What causes rectal bleeding and anal pain?

In general, bloody stool and anal pain may be caused by an imbalanced diet, poor bowel habits, anal fissures, thrombosed external hemorrhoids, or perianal abscesses. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive appropriate treatment under a doctor's guidance. In daily life, maintain cleanliness and dryness of the anal area, gently wipe with soft toilet paper after bowel movements, and avoid using coarse sanitary paper.

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What causes pain from anal fissures?

In general, anal fissure pain may be caused by factors such as dry and hard stools rubbing against the anal canal, poor defecation habits, perianal skin infection, ulcerative colitis, or anal stricture. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and then improve symptoms under a doctor's guidance through conservative management, medication, and other treatments. In daily life, avoid consuming spicy and irritating foods such as chili peppers and Sichuan pepper to reduce irritation to the anal mucosa.