Common symptoms
A fissure may cause sharp pain during bowel movements, burning afterwards and a small amount of bright red blood. Other conditions can cause similar symptoms.
Assessment
The duration of symptoms, bowel habits and previous treatments are considered. An examination is important when symptoms persist or keep returning.
Approach to treatment
Keeping stools soft and using treatments prescribed by a clinician may help healing. Surgery may be considered for persistent disease; many fissures improve without an operation.
General information only. It does not replace an individual diagnosis, treatment plan or medical consultation. This is a pre-publication editorial draft and is not presented as medically reviewed content.