Treating Fissure An anal fissure or Fissure-in-ano is a tear or cut in the skin of the anal canal. The condition affects men and women equally and can occur at any age (infants too). Anal fissures are commonly found in the back part of your anus, in line with the cleft of your buttock. A fissure which is present for less than 6 weeks is called an Acute fissure. That which is more than 6 weeks old is called a Chronic fissure. The Chronic fissure is usually hard to feel and may have a skin tag like growth called Sentinel Pile. Anal Fissure treatment Causes of Fissure Usually trauma to the anal canal causes a fissure. Hard stools especially associated with constipation - The increased pressure exerted in an effort to pass the hard stools causes tearing of the delicate perianal skin. Diarrhoea - The frequent forceful bowel movement causes tearing of the anal skin. Iatrogenic - A tear may occur during insertion of a rectal thermometer, USG probe, endoscope, enema tube. Childbirth Anal sex - Commonly encountered in homosexuals. Rare causes - Crohns disease, leukaemia, tuberculosis, sexually transmitted diseases, viral infections etc Symptoms Of Fissure Painful defecation - This pain while passing stools may be so severe that patients are frightened of a bowel movement and avoid one. However this further causes constipation and hard stools, leading to a vicious cycle of trauma and hard stools. The pain during defecating may be severe, pricking or searing and the post defecation burning may last for a few hours. Bleeding, sometimes seen as a streak of blood on stools or blood on the tissue. Need to strain while passing stools - This is because the anal sphincter goes into a spasm. Pruritus ani - Itching in the anal region. Malodorous discharge Sentinel pile - In long standing cases, a skin tag like growth can be felt at the edge of the fissure. Diagnosis Of Fissure A history of your symptoms followed by external inspection of the anus is enough to confirm the diagnosis. On rare occasions your doctor may advice you other tests to rule out any suspected underlying cause for the fissure. Best piles hernia surgeon in Pune.