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Vaseline for anal fissure

Published 13 March 2026 ·Last reviewed 13 March 2026 by the editorial team ·How we create our content

At a glance

Vaseline (petroleum jelly) is not a treatment for anal fissures, but many people find it useful as a protective barrier. It can reduce friction during bowel movements, protect irritated skin, and keep the perianal area from drying out. This guide clarifies what Vaseline can and cannot do.

What Vaseline does

Petroleum jelly creates a physical barrier on the skin. It does not get absorbed — it sits on the surface and acts as a protective layer.

For the perianal area, this means:

  • Reduced friction during bowel movements — the stool passes more easily against a lubricated surface
  • Skin protection — prevents moisture, sweat, and stool residue from irritating already inflamed skin
  • Moisturising — keeps the skin from drying and cracking, which can worsen discomfort

What Vaseline does not do

  • It does not relax the sphincter muscle
  • It does not increase blood flow
  • It does not heal the fissure
  • It does not treat the underlying cause

Vaseline addresses symptoms (friction, irritation, dryness) but not the condition itself.

How people use it

Before a bowel movement

A thin layer of Vaseline applied to the anal margin before a bowel movement can reduce the friction and tearing sensation as stool passes. This is particularly helpful for people who find bowel movements painful.

After cleaning

After a bowel movement and gentle cleaning (ideally with water), applying Vaseline protects the clean, sensitive skin until the next bowel movement.

Between treatments

If you are using a prescribed topical treatment, Vaseline can be applied at times when the prescribed treatment is not being applied — for example, in the middle of the day between morning and evening applications.

As a barrier during the day

Sweat, moisture, and friction from clothing can irritate the perianal area. A thin layer of Vaseline provides ongoing protection.

Practical tips

  • Use plain, unscented petroleum jelly — no fragrances, no added ingredients
  • Apply a thin layer — a small amount goes a long way
  • Apply externally only — not inside the anal canal
  • Wash hands before and after application
  • It can stain underwear — using a thin pad or liner can help

Common questions

Does Vaseline heal a fissure?

No. Vaseline (petroleum jelly) does not have healing properties for a fissure. It cannot relax the sphincter, increase blood flow, or treat the underlying cause. What it can do is act as a barrier — protecting the skin from irritation, reducing friction during bowel movements, and keeping the perianal area from drying out.

Is it safe to apply Vaseline to the anal area?

Plain, unscented petroleum jelly is generally safe to apply to the external perianal area. It is well tolerated by most people and does not contain fragrances or irritants. It should be applied externally — to the skin around the anus — not inserted inside the anal canal.

When is Vaseline useful for a fissure?

People describe using Vaseline in several situations: before a bowel movement to reduce friction as stool passes, after cleaning to protect irritated skin, between applications of prescribed topical treatments to keep the area moisturised, and during the day as a barrier against moisture and chafing.

Can Vaseline replace prescribed fissure treatments?

No. Vaseline is a comfort measure and skin protectant, not a treatment. Prescribed topical treatments (GTN, diltiazem, nifedipine) actively address the sphincter spasm that prevents healing. Vaseline does not have this effect. It can be used alongside prescribed treatments but should not replace them.

When to seek care Heavy bleeding or feeling faint? Get emergency help now. Emergency: 911

Not sure how urgent it is? Get help today.

  1. Emergency

    Heavy bleeding, black tarry stools, feeling faint, severe pain or trouble breathing.

    Call 911 or go to the ER.

  2. Today

    Fever, pain getting worse, a hot swollen lump, or trouble passing urine.

    Call your doctor or go to urgent care.

  3. Soon

    Bleeding or bowel changes nobody has checked, or anything lasting 3 weeks.

    Book a doctor’s appointment.

Feeling overwhelmed? Call or text 988, any time.

See all the signs

For this topic, get medical advice if you notice:

  • Heavy or persistent bleeding that does not settle
  • Severe pain that is getting worse rather than better
  • Fever or signs of infection
  • Symptoms that have not improved after 4 to 6 weeks of self-care

Recording how you feel is not the same as being checked. These are the signs that need a doctor’s attention.

Call 911 or go to the emergency room now if you have:

  • bleeding that will not stop, a lot of blood (the toilet water turns red, or you pass large clots), or any bleeding with feeling faint or dizzy
  • fainting, a racing heart or trouble breathing
  • confusion or slurred speech, extreme shivering, no urine in a day, or blotchy skin
  • sudden severe belly pain, or a swollen, hard belly with vomiting or not passing stool or gas
  • you cannot pass urine at all, or your bladder feels full and painful and you can’t empty it
  • redness, swelling or severe pain spreading quickly around your anus, genitals or groin, especially with a fever or feeling very ill
  • a fever with a painful swelling near your anus if you have diabetes or a weakened immune system (for example, from chemotherapy or transplant medicines)
  • black, tarry stools

Call your doctor or go to urgent care today (or the ER if you can’t be seen today) if you have:

  • a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, chills, vomiting, or feeling generally unwell
  • pain that is getting worse over days, or severe pain that stops you sitting or sleeping
  • a hot, swollen or very tender lump near your anus or at the top of the crease between your buttocks, or foul-smelling discharge
  • trouble urinating
  • bleeding that is getting heavier or more frequent, or blood mixed into your stool
  • feeling much more tired than usual, looking pale, or getting out of breath more easily than you used to
  • not passing stool for several days, or new belly pain

Make an appointment with your doctor if:

  • you have never had these symptoms checked by a doctor or nurse — whatever your age
  • you have had rectal bleeding for more than 3 weeks
  • your bowel movements have been looser, thinner or more frequent than usual for 3 weeks or more, or you have lost weight without trying
  • symptoms have not settled after a week or so, or keep coming back
  • you notice a new lump near your anus, between your buttocks or in your belly, or an itch or discharge that does not clear
  • you have new leakage or trouble controlling your bowels
  • you are 45 or over, or have a family history of bowel cancer or inflammatory bowel disease, and any of these symptoms are new for you

If you are unsure, it is always reasonable to ask. If things feel overwhelming, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or chat at 988lifeline.org, any time. If you don’t feel safe, call 911.

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Related symptoms

BleedingPain during bowel movementsPain after bowel movementsSpasm or crampingConstipation

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For hemorrhoids, fissures, fistulas and other anal and rectal problems. A short, discreet email asks how things have been, and saves each answer, so you can look back at every flare and every good week in your own words. If you haven’t had your symptoms checked, see your doctor first.

  • About ten seconds a check-in. No app, no password.
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  • Each Sunday, a link to your week, ready for your next appointment.
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