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A doctor will be able to tell if you have fissures or if your symptoms are caused by other underlying issues. These could include abscesses, infections, or internal trauma. Make sure you share all of your symptoms with your doctor – they need to know everything to give you a proper diagnosis. A sitz bath is just a bath in warm, but not hot, water. The warm water can help your anal muscles relax, which in turn allows the fissures to heal. Take a warm bath 2 to 3 times a day for about 20 minutes to allow your muscles to relax and the fissures to heal. Relax your muscles every 5 minutes while you’re in the tub. First contract the muscle that you would contract to stop a bowel movement. Then focus on relaxing it as much as possible. Just like a warm bath can help relax your muscles, so can a heating pad. A heating pad is also a good portable option for relief—for example, you might bring it to work with you for use during the day. Set the heat to the middle setting – you don’t want it to be too hot. You can sit on the heating pad for up to 20 minutes at a time. Your doctor might prescribe a topical ointment that will soak into your anal muscles and relax them. Without the spasms that accompany fissures, the fissures may have time to heal. Your doctor will give you exact directions for applying the ointment, but you’ll probably apply it twice a day for 6 weeks. If your pain is severe, your doctor might prescribe a numbing cream like lidocaine. It can be prescribed in addition to or instead of a topical ointment. If you notice any burning or irritation, tell your doctor right away. If your stools are very hard and causing a lot of pain, your doctor might prescribe a laxative. A laxative will allow you to pass soft stools very easily, giving your fissures a chance to heal.
See a doctor to discuss treatment options. Try a sitz bath to soothe pain and relax your muscles. Sit on a heating pad when you can’t take a bath. Apply a topical ointment to relax your muscles. Use a numbing agent to soothe pain. Ask your doctor about a laxative to make passing stools easier.