Discharge
Discharge or drainage from the anal area can be a sign of several conditions. The type, colour, and smell of the discharge can vary depending on the cause.
Conditions commonly associated with this symptom
Anal fistula
An abnormal tunnel between the inside of the anus and the skin nearby, often developing after an abscess.
Learn more →Perianal abscess
A painful, pus-filled pocket near the anus, usually requiring drainage.
Learn more →Rectal prolapse
A condition where part of the rectum protrudes through the anus.
Learn more →Pruritus ani (chronic itching)
Persistent itching around the anus that can be difficult to resolve and often worsens with scratching.
Learn more →Pilonidal sinus
A small tunnel or cyst in the skin at the top of the buttock crease, often becoming infected.
Learn more →Post-procedure recovery
Recovery experiences after common colorectal procedures including surgery, banding, and drainage.
Learn more →Relevant guides
Anal fistula: patterns and care
Learn what an anal fistula is, how it connects to abscesses, what people commonly experience, treatment options, and when to seek medical care.
Read guide →Perianal abscess: patterns and care
Learn what a perianal abscess is, what people commonly experience, why it typically needs drainage, and when to seek urgent medical care.
Read guide →Recovery after abscess drainage
Learn what to expect after perianal abscess drainage, including wound care, pain management, signs of recurrence, fistula risk, and when to seek medical care.
Read guide →When to seek care Heavy bleeding or feeling faint? Get emergency help now. Emergency: 911
Not sure how urgent it is? Get help today.
- Emergency
Heavy bleeding, black tarry stools, feeling faint, severe pain or trouble breathing.
Call 911 or go to the ER.
- Today
Fever, pain getting worse, a hot swollen lump, or trouble passing urine.
Call your doctor or go to urgent care.
- 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
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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