Can an anal fissure in a one-year-old child heal on its own?
Disease description:
Our one-year-old baby has been crying and fussing frequently during bowel movements recently. I noticed a slight crack near the baby's anus and am worried it might be an anal fissure. I would like to know whether anal fissures can heal on their own in such cases.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Li Jingxiang
Anal fissures in one-year-old babies are often caused by constipation or diarrhea. Whether they can heal on their own mainly depends on the severity of the fissure and the baby's overall health condition.
If the fissure is mild, it can usually heal on its own after improving bowel movements. Parents can adjust the baby's diet by increasing fiber intake to soften stools and reduce straining during bowel movements. Encourage the baby to drink more water to maintain adequate hydration, and develop good bowel habits, including warm water sitz baths after bowel movements.
If there is persistent pain, significant bleeding, severe fissures, or recurrent fissures, they generally will not heal on their own and timely medical attention is necessary. Doctors may recommend topical anesthetic creams or prescribe medications. Surgery is considered only when conservative treatments prove ineffective.
