At Proctology Institute Orange County, based in Huntington Beach, we understand that anal fissures can cause significant discomfort and impact your quality of life. Our experienced board certified proctologists (anal fissure specialists) are dedicated to diagnosing and treating anal fissures with expert care and compassion.
What Is an Anal Fissure? An anal fissure is a small tear or crack in the lining of the anus that can cause extreme anal pain. This extremely delicate tissue can become damaged from passing hard or large stools, frequent bowel movement, or watery bowel movements such as diarrhea, resulting in pain, bleeding, and sometimes muscle spasms if the tear extends down to the internal sphincter muscle. Anal fissures are common in both men and women and can occur at any age.
Common Symptoms of Anal Fissures Include:
- Sharp, stabbing or burning pain during or after a bowel movement (lingering pain)
- Bright red blood on toilet paper or visible in the stool
- A visible tear near the anus
- Itching
- Irritation around the anal area
- A small lump or skin tag near the anal fissure (in chronic cases) called a sentinel anal skin tag
Causes of Anal Fissures
- Anal fissures are usually caused by trauma or excessive pressure in the anal canal
- Constipation – Straining to pass hard or dry stools is the leading cause
- Chronic Diarrhea – Frequent loose bowel movements can irritate and weaken the anal lining
- Childbirth – Women may develop fissures during delivery due to rectal pressure
- Opiate Pain Medication – Patients that are prescribed opiate pain medication after surgery without stool softners
- Anal Intercourse -Anal receptive intercourse can cause trauma to the lining of the anal canal
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) – Conditions like Crohn’s disease can increase susceptibility to fissures
- Tight Anal Sphincter Muscles – High muscle tone due to stress may result in high muscle tone making healing difficult
- Some individuals may develop fissures without an obvious cause, and in rare cases, underlying conditions such as infections, inflammatory bowel disease, HIV/AIDS or anal cancer/ anal dysplasia may be involved
Diagnosis
At Proctology Institute Orange County, we conduct a thorough medical history, physical exam, perianal exam and anoscopic exam to diagnose anal fissures. Most fissures are visible upon gentle inspection of the anus. If the anal fissure is internal or chronic, our doctor may recommend further diagnostic procedures such as anoscopy or colonoscopy to rule out other conditions that may be causing anal pain such as thrombosed hemorrhoids, abscesses, or inflammatory diseases.
Treatment Options
Treatment for anal fissures depends on whether the condition is acute (recent) or chronic (lasting more than 6 weeks). Our Orange County proctology medical practice offers both conservative and advanced options to promote proper healing and symptom relief.
Conservative (Non-Surgical) Treatments:
- Stool Softeners & Fiber Supplements
Encouraging softer stools through a high-fiber diet, increased fluid intake, and fiber supplements can reduce strain during bowel movements. - Warm Sitz Baths
Soaking the anal area in warm water for 10–15 minutes several times a day can promote healing and relax the sphincter muscles. - Topical Ointments
Medications like nitroglycerin, nifedipine, or diltiazem help improve blood flow to the area and promote healing by relaxing the anal muscles. - Pain Relief
Over-the-counter pain relievers and topical anesthetics can reduce discomfort during the healing process.
Advanced Treatments:
If conservative therapy fails, our specialists may recommend the following:
- Cauterization of the anal fissure
- Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy (LIS)
This minor surgical procedure involves making a small incision in the internal sphincter muscle to relieve pressure and allow the fissure to heal. LIS has a high success rate and is typically recommended when other treatments have not worked.
Why Choose Us?
At Proctology Institute Orange County, we provide:
- Expert Same Day Care by board-certified specialists
- Modern, minimally invasive targeted treatments
- Personalized treatment plans
- Private, comfortable clinical environment
We are committed to helping patients in Orange County and surrounding communities find lasting relief from anal fissures with compassion and expertise.
Proctology Institute Orange County (Huntington Beach) office specializes in taking exceptional care of each patient from the initial consultation to the post-treatment period. The honor and privilege of caring for patients comes with the responsibility and dedication of the proctologist’s staff to the utmost standard of excellence in patient care and final outcome.
Proctology Institute Orange County
18900 Beach Blvd., #101
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
(714) 467-2438
