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Anal fissure Q&As

Published by Bupa's health information team, September 2008.

Answers to questions about anal fissure

This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.

 

What is a sitz bath and how does it help?

A sitz bath is a bath in which the water only covers the hips and buttocks. It's like a portable bidet. Using a sitz bath with warm water can help relieve your discomfort after a bowel movement.

Explanation

A sitz bath is a special type of bath, named from the German word "sitzen" meaning "to sit". A sitz bath allows you to soak just your hips and buttocks. Sitz baths are often used to relieve pain, itching, or muscle spasms. Sitz baths are often used for contrast baths where you use hot water followed by cold water. Contrast baths help to relieve pain and inflammation by increasing blood flow to the affected area.

To help relieve your discomfort, you can soak your buttocks in hot water for two to five minutes followed by cold water for one minute. This can have a soothing effect, particularly after bowel movements.

Sitz baths also help to promote good anal hygiene by keeping you clean, and are believed to decrease anal sphincter spasm and improve blood flow to the lining of the anus.

Sources

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What is the treatment for a sentinel pile?

Sentinel piles (also called sentinel skin tags) may get better without treatment but you may need to have them surgically removed if they are large or cause you problems.

Explanation

Sentinel piles are skin tags that can form if you have a chronic (long-term) anal fissure.

Sentinel piles are usually painless but you may notice that they become more painful over time. If you have a sentinel pile, it may resolve naturally but it can become permanent as your anal fissure heals.

Sentinel piles are usually left untreated because they don't often cause problems. However, you may find that your sentinel pile grows and that you start to notice it. Untreated sentinel piles can cause your anus to feel:

  • itchy
  • wet
  • a pricking sensation

Occasionally, sentinel piles can stick out (prolapse) when you open your bowels.

If you start to notice your sentinel pile, you should see your GP. He or she may recommend that you have the sentinel pile removed by surgery.

If you have surgical treatment for your anal fissure (lateral internal sphincterotomy), your sentinel pile should be removed at the same time.

Sources

  • Steele SR, Madoff RD. Systematic review: the treatment of anal fissure. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2006;24:247-257. www.blackwellpublishing.com
  • Gillet BP, Paidas CN. Anal fissure. eMedicine. www.emedicine.com, accessed 18 March 2008
  • Gupta PJ. Hypertrophied anal papillae and fibrous anal polyps, should they be removed during anal fissure surgery? World J Gastroenterol 2004;10:2412-2414. www.wjgnet.com
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Will my anal fissure get worse if I exercise?

No. You should continue to exercise as usual. Exercise helps to increase blood flow which will help your anal fissure heal.

Explanation

Keeping physically active can prevent major illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes and colon cancer. Exercise raises your heart rate which increases blood flow around your body. This will help your anal fissure to heal. Exercise also helps you to have regular bowel movements.

You should aim to exercise at a moderate intensity for at least 30 minutes about five days a week. Moderate intensity exercise includes brisk walking, DIY, vacuuming and mowing the lawn. All of these activities are enough to benefit health and prevent illness in adults.

If you have a sentinel pile, it may help to use a lubricant such as petroleum jelly around your anus before you exercise to prevent rubbing.

If your anal fissure is painful when you exercise, you should see your GP as this may be a sign of another condition.

Further information

Sources

  • At least five a week. Department of Health, Physical Activity, Health Improvement and Prevention, 2004. www.dh.gov.uk
  • Get active! British Heart Foundation, 2005, G12. www.bhf.org.uk
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Related topics

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This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Dr W H Simpson, MBBS, General Practitioner, and by Bupa doctors. It has also been reviewed by CORE (Digestive Disorders Foundation). The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Publication date: September 2008

 

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