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Is It Normal To Still Be There After The Burning And Itching Have Greatly Improved?
Posted on
Tue, 10 Nov 2020
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 10 Nov 2020
Answered on
Tue, 6 May 2025
Last reviewed on
Question : I was recently diagnosed by my gastro with an anal fissure. I had been suffering with intense burning and itching after bowel movements. The pain began a little over two weeks ago. My dr checked the area and saw both hemroids and an anal fissure. The burning and itching have gotten much better but I am now left with a strange sensation of pressure. My question is is this feeling of pressure related to the fissure and is it normal to still be there after the burning and itching have greatly improved? What can I do to alleviate the sensation of pressure it is very uncomfortable. How long do fissures typically last?
Brief Answer:
Need more details.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Have seen your details and I appreciate your concerns,
Yes pressure in rectum could be high due to fissure but there is a condition called Tenesmus also which can be described as sensation of being unable to empty your bowel after you have already defecated(Is this senation present in your case?
Kindly reply.
Need this detail for a professional answer.
Waiting,
Thank you!
Need more details.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Have seen your details and I appreciate your concerns,
Yes pressure in rectum could be high due to fissure but there is a condition called Tenesmus also which can be described as sensation of being unable to empty your bowel after you have already defecated(Is this senation present in your case?
Kindly reply.
Need this detail for a professional answer.
Waiting,
Thank you!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Thanks for the timely response. It feels like a pressure/ tightness almost as if passing gas or stool would help but my stool is normal and due to the increase in fiber passes easily
Brief Answer:
Follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and thanks for follow up,
A fissure is a breach of soft mucosal skin around the anus..Every time you defecate the breached mucosa is irritated causing inflamation.Now natural response of body is to heal up the breached surface. This healing causes tightening of mucosal lining in anus which is usually felt like a heaviness sensation in anus(In severe cases therefore lateral sphincterectomy is done) i.e A cut is given on anal sphincter to make skin loose so that fissure could heal up without causing a feeling of tightening.
Have you consulted your Doctor now?
Has the fissure completely healed or is still healing ?
How many days back was fissure diagnosed?
Are you taking laxative to keep stool as soft as possible?
A fissure usually takes 2weeks to heal up with proper medication which involve-
Stool softner-keep stool as soft as possible(You strain and all healing progress gone in a minute)
Ointment Nitroglycerin locally over anal area to relax the muscle spasms.
An analgesic like ibuprofen 400mg for few days to help with inflammation.
Eating non spicy food.
And sitz bath as you are already taking(stool softener is the most important thing).
Have you used any of the medication mentioned above?
And you have said Hemorrhoids were seen by Doctor(internal or external) and which grade as Grade 3 and 4 can cause feeling of pressure in rectum.
Please reply.
Follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and thanks for follow up,
A fissure is a breach of soft mucosal skin around the anus..Every time you defecate the breached mucosa is irritated causing inflamation.Now natural response of body is to heal up the breached surface. This healing causes tightening of mucosal lining in anus which is usually felt like a heaviness sensation in anus(In severe cases therefore lateral sphincterectomy is done) i.e A cut is given on anal sphincter to make skin loose so that fissure could heal up without causing a feeling of tightening.
Have you consulted your Doctor now?
Has the fissure completely healed or is still healing ?
How many days back was fissure diagnosed?
Are you taking laxative to keep stool as soft as possible?
A fissure usually takes 2weeks to heal up with proper medication which involve-
Stool softner-keep stool as soft as possible(You strain and all healing progress gone in a minute)
Ointment Nitroglycerin locally over anal area to relax the muscle spasms.
An analgesic like ibuprofen 400mg for few days to help with inflammation.
Eating non spicy food.
And sitz bath as you are already taking(stool softener is the most important thing).
Have you used any of the medication mentioned above?
And you have said Hemorrhoids were seen by Doctor(internal or external) and which grade as Grade 3 and 4 can cause feeling of pressure in rectum.
Please reply.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Dr did not tell me grade if hemroids the fissure was seen as a cut he did not indicate if it looked chronic I have been on 2.5 hydrocortisone for about a week with increase in fiber intense burning has lessened still feel pressure though is decrease in burning a sign of healing
Brief Answer:
Follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Yes a decrease in burning is a sign of healing fissure but Hydrocortisone has no role in healing of ulcer..Use Nitroglycerine cream instead two times a day over the skin of anus to increase blood supply and loosen up the muscles in that area.
Stool softner is a must. Unless and until you use it even if fissure heals up it will recur again.
A anti inflammatory like Ibuprofen could be very helpful in reducing discomfort/Heaviness due to inflammation.
Can you please send a clear high definition picture of area surrounding anal canal...A clear picture could give me an idea if it's healing or not.Though it sounds a bit weird but before giving prescription it's always essential to examine the patient which unfortunately is not possible online.
If possible send a picture high definition photo.
Was any antibiotic prescribed to you?
Any anti inflammatory?
Are you using Epsom salt with sitz bath?
Stools are loose or you need to strain still while passing it?
Sorry but professional suggestion need details.
As you have written fibers so please mention how much and how many times a day.
Waiting for details.
Follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Yes a decrease in burning is a sign of healing fissure but Hydrocortisone has no role in healing of ulcer..Use Nitroglycerine cream instead two times a day over the skin of anus to increase blood supply and loosen up the muscles in that area.
Stool softner is a must. Unless and until you use it even if fissure heals up it will recur again.
A anti inflammatory like Ibuprofen could be very helpful in reducing discomfort/Heaviness due to inflammation.
Can you please send a clear high definition picture of area surrounding anal canal...A clear picture could give me an idea if it's healing or not.Though it sounds a bit weird but before giving prescription it's always essential to examine the patient which unfortunately is not possible online.
If possible send a picture high definition photo.
Was any antibiotic prescribed to you?
Any anti inflammatory?
Are you using Epsom salt with sitz bath?
Stools are loose or you need to strain still while passing it?
Sorry but professional suggestion need details.
As you have written fibers so please mention how much and how many times a day.
Waiting for details.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Hi no antibiotics only hydrocortisone for 14 days fiber Metamucil along with dried figs and lots of water also attached photo
Brief Answer:
Follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
Antibiotic has to be taken as fissure is an open cut in the area where we excrete.Human excreta contains number of bacteria which may by chance get into the blood stream via opening on fissure.
As explained above while healing mucosa contracts and is inflamed also which may causes a feeling of pressure and heaviness and therefore anti inflammatory and muscle relaxant is used.
Stool softner to prevent straining.
Fiber total intake should be a minimum of 30-40 gm/day in total.So you can take Metamucil 3-4 times.
If proper medication is followed with in two weeks it would heal up.
Lastly an itchy feeling is a sign of healing of skin. If you are feeling itchy it means fissure is healing.
Please attach the photograph I can't see any attachments.
Waiting!
Follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
Antibiotic has to be taken as fissure is an open cut in the area where we excrete.Human excreta contains number of bacteria which may by chance get into the blood stream via opening on fissure.
As explained above while healing mucosa contracts and is inflamed also which may causes a feeling of pressure and heaviness and therefore anti inflammatory and muscle relaxant is used.
Stool softner to prevent straining.
Fiber total intake should be a minimum of 30-40 gm/day in total.So you can take Metamucil 3-4 times.
If proper medication is followed with in two weeks it would heal up.
Lastly an itchy feeling is a sign of healing of skin. If you are feeling itchy it means fissure is healing.
Please attach the photograph I can't see any attachments.
Waiting!
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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