An anal fissure is a when there is a small tear or ulcer in the large intestine lining which is located near the anus. Unfortunately this uncomfortable condition is not as rare as it might seem and can be very uncomfortable to deal with in day to day life. (In fact it is often thought of as a taboo subject.) It can be caused by intestinal difficulties, excessive sphincter contraction or the poor vascularisation of this area. After hemorrhoids, anal fissures are the second most common complaint for adults in this part of the body. Very serious cases can lead to surgical procedures. However even less severe cases can be very painful. Here is some advice and some natural remedies that you can adopt if you are suffering from an anal fissure.
1) General advice!
- Remember to keep yourself well hydrated by drinking lots of water! Avoid drinking caffeinated drinks and alcohol that can dehydrate you.
- Food often is a main factor in causing an anal fissure (by inducing chronic constipation) so you should watch your diet. Eat more fibrous foods and polyunsaturated fatty acids and avoid gluten and spices. Five foods that are not recommended are chocolate (unfortunately), tomatoes, wheat, eggs and dairy products.
- Avoid using too much soap in this area even if it is recommended to clean daily in this area. Instead rinse the area with a jet of water from your shower head.
- Choose quality soft toilet roll that is not perfumed. You can also use wet wipes. You can also put Vaseline onto the area to prevent new fissures appearing.
- Sport is good for your balance, health and bowel movements however you should avoid cycling, contact sports and even weightlifting for obvious reasons. Instead you should choose more relaxing sports such as yoga and walking.
- Always have a cushion to sit on and having ice bags ready to use is a great plus!
2) Baths
Baths encourage better blood circulation which can help a quicker recovery, relieve pain, soothe the injured tissues, encourage the sphincter to relax and keep the area clean without the need to scrub it which can irritate the anoderm. Ideally you should take a bath twice per day for 10 to 15 minutes with warm water and Epsom salts which you should leave to dissolve. Make sure your dry yourself well.
If you have a hot bath you can add some coconut oil so as to make the most of it’s healing and hydrating properties. The oil also helps to relieve any pain.
3) Green Clay
Green clay is effective at combating the development of bacteria and microbes. It also helps to heal the area by helping tissue reconstitution as well as being able to relieve pain thanks to it’s curative effects. You can apply this clay before going to bed at night and then rinse the area with fresh water in the morning.
4) Complete remedy with essential oils
What you need:
- 100 drops of calendula oil (oily macerate) (anti-inflammatory)
- 2 drops of ciste essential oil (anti-haemorrhagic)
- 2 drops of lavender essential oil (painkiller)
- 1 drop of rose geranium essential oil (rapid healing)
- 1 drop of patchouli essential oil (better blood circulation)
- Glass bottle
Steps:
1) Pour your ingredients into your bottle making sure to follow the correct doses.
2) Close the bottle and then shake well to ensure the mixture has been mixed together well. Now your oil is ready to use!
3) Apply 3 drops of the oil mixture onto the affected area. Repeat 2 to 3 times per day for three weeks.
Sources : ToutVert ; LibredelaFissureAnale ; Compagnie-des-Sens
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