| Anal fissure | 5.00000000000000 | Anal fissure | Anal fissure | A | English | Gastrointestinal | Child (0-12 years);Teen (13-18 years) | Large Intestine/Colon | Rectum;Anus | Conditions and diseases | Adult (19+) | Constipation | | 2010-05-14T04:00:00Z | | | | | | 6.50000000000000 | 69.9000000000000 | 338.000000000000 | | Health (A-Z) - Conditions | Health A-Z | <p>An easy-to-understand overview of the symptoms, treatments, and medical options for a tear in the anal canal.</p> | <h2>What is an anal fissure?</h2><p>An anal fissure is a tear in the anal canal. The tear in the anal canal usually occurs when a child is constipated and forces a large, hard stool (bowel movement).</p><p>The tear makes passing stool (defecating) very painful. Because of the pain, your child may not go to the bathroom when needed. This may lead to chronic constipation.</p><p>Anal fissures are the most common cause of bloody stools in babies and young children.</p>
<figure class="asset-c-80">
<span class="asset-image-title">Anal Fissure</span><img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/Anal_fissure_MED_ILL_EN.jpg" alt="The large intestine and rectum in a baby, a normal anus with clear rectum and anal canal, and an anus with a tear" />
<figcaption class="“asset-image-caption”">An anal fissure is a small tear or crack in the skin of the anus.</figcaption> </figure> | | <h2>Key points</h2>
<ul>
<li>An anal fissure is a tear in the anal canal. </li>
<li>These tears may lead to chronic constipation. </li>
<li>Anal fissures are the most common cause of bloody stools in babies.</li>
<li>Constipation can be treated with stool softeners and by getting more fibre in the diet. </li>
<li>Until your child's fissure has completely healed, apply petroleum jelly or zinc oxide cream to your child's anus to make passing stool less painful.</li>
</ul> | | <h2>Signs and symptoms of an anal fissure</h2>
<h3>Some of the signs and symptoms of an anal fissure are:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Babies will cry and show discomfort when passing stool.</li>
<li>Blood may cover the surface of the hard stool.</li>
<li>Older children may avoid passing stool to avoid the pain of the anal fissure.</li>
<li>There may be a visible tear or cut along the anal opening.</li>
</ul> | | | | <h2>Treating anal fissures</h2>
<p>Treating anal fissures begin with treating the <a href="/Article?contentid=6&language=English">constipation</a>. The doctor may prescribe stool softeners. Also, add more fibre and fluid (liquid) to your child's diet. Wholegrain cereals, breads, fruit - especially prunes - and vegetables are good sources of fibre.</p>
<p>Once the hard stools turn to soft stools, the anal fissure will have the chance to heal. Until your child's fissure has completely healed, you can apply a layer of petroleum jelly or zinc oxide cream to your child's anus. This will help make passing stool less painful.</p>
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/Anal_fissure_MED_ILL_EN.jpg | Anal fissure | | False | | | | | | | | |
