What should I do first if I think I have a fissure?

Start with the basics: increase your water intake, add fibre to your diet, and avoid straining on the toilet. A warm sitz bath after bowel movements can provide immediate comfort. Then make an appointment with your GP to get a proper assessment. In the meantime, do not panic — fissures are very common and most heal with conservative care.

How common are anal fissures?

Very common. Anal fissures affect people of all ages and are one of the most frequent reasons for anal pain. Many people are surprised to learn how common they are — the condition often feels isolating because people do not talk about it.

Will this get better?

For most people, yes. The majority of acute fissures heal within six to eight weeks with consistent self-care. Chronic fissures can take longer and may need additional treatment, but effective options exist. The key is consistency with the basics — fibre, hydration, stool softening, and sitz baths.

Do I need to see a doctor?

Yes, it is worth getting a proper assessment. While self-care can begin immediately, a clinician can confirm the diagnosis, rule out other conditions, and prescribe topical treatments if needed. Do not let embarrassment delay you — doctors see this regularly and there is nothing unusual about it.

Starting your fissure healing path

At a glance

If you are here because you are dealing with an anal fissure for the first time — or you think you might be — you are in the right place. This condition is common, treatable, and nothing to be ashamed of.

This guide gives you a straightforward starting point: what a fissure is, what to do first, and how to build the daily routine that gives your body the best chance of healing.

What you are dealing with

An anal fissure is a small tear in the lining of the anal canal. It causes pain — often sharp or burning — during and after bowel movements. There may be bright red blood on the toilet paper. The pain can last minutes to hours after going.

It is not dangerous. It is not a sign of something serious in most cases. But it is painful, and it can be frightening when you do not know what is happening.

Where to start

Today

Drink more water. This is the single most impactful immediate change. Hydrated stools pass more easily.
Take a warm sitz bath if you are in pain. Fill a basin or the bathtub with warm water and sit for 10 to 15 minutes. This relaxes the sphincter and provides real relief.
Stop straining. If a bowel movement is not coming easily, get up, walk around, and try again later.

This week

Increase fibre intake — gradually, not all at once. Fruits, vegetables, porridge, and possibly a fibre supplement like psyllium husk.
Consider a stool softener — available over the counter. Docusate sodium or an osmotic laxative like macrogol.
Book a GP appointment. Getting a proper assessment is important for confirming the diagnosis and starting any prescribed treatment.
Establish sitz bath routine — after every bowel movement and once or twice additionally if helpful.

The coming weeks

Maintain consistency. The routine matters more than any single product or technique. Daily fibre, hydration, sitz baths, and any prescribed treatment.
Track your symptoms. A simple daily note of pain level and stool type helps you see progress that is invisible from day to day.
Be patient. Most fissures take four to eight weeks to heal. Some take longer. Improvement is often gradual.

The basics of fissure care

Stool management

This is the foundation. Soft stools that pass without straining give the fissure time to heal. Hard stools or straining re-tear the tissue and reset the healing clock.

Fibre (25 to 35 grams daily, built up gradually)
Water (two to three litres daily)
Stool softener if needed
Good toilet posture — feet elevated on a stool, leaning slightly forward

Pain management

Warm sitz baths — the most consistently helpful measure
Over-the-counter pain relief (paracetamol)
Prescribed topical treatments if your GP provides them
Breathing exercises to reduce clenching before and during bowel movements

What to avoid

Straining on the toilet
Spending extra time sitting on the toilet
Ignoring the urge to go (delayed bowel movements become harder)
Very spicy food, alcohol, or highly processed food during active healing (these affect stool quality for some people)

You are not alone

Anal fissures are one of the most common colorectal conditions. Millions of people deal with them. The embarrassment people feel about the condition is understandable but not necessary — this is a normal medical issue with well-established treatments.

If you want to understand your experience better or prepare for a conversation with your doctor, our chat can help you think things through in a private, judgement-free space.