15 Home Remedies for Anal Fissures

home remedies for anal fissures

When considering things that cause some of the most discomfort, few can stack up to the burning and pain of cracks and splits in the sensitive skin around your rectum. Similar to chapped lips, swelling, burning and pain can make it difficult to sit, stand or move, interrupting your active lifestyle. You can get back on track with your lifestyle through the use of one or several of our 15 home remedies for anal fissures, many of which can already be found in your home.

1. Hygiene

shower

One of the first considerations for both the prevention and treatment of anal fissures is hygiene. Proper hygiene is really your first line of defense and best bet for keeping things from getting a whole lot worse.

What to Do

  • Use soft toilet paper without perfumes to wipe the area after a bowel movement.
  • Cleaning the area when you bathe and applying a dab of baby powder can help keep the area dry.
  • Wear loose-fitting clothing and cotton underwear to stay cooler and drier.
  • Try to avoid sitting in the same position for extended periods of time.

2. Coconut Oil

Best organic coconut oil: Photo of solid coconut oil in a jar with flowers.

One of the best home remedies for anal fissures includes the use of coconut oil. The medium-chain fatty acids of coconut oil do a great job of penetrating through the skin to get deeper with its lubrication and the abundance of nutrients that encourage the healing of cell tissues.

What to Do

  • Massage a dab of coconut oil over the affected area 2 to 3 times daily.
  • In addition, you might be able to straighten out any constipation or digestive problems which could at the root of the problem by consuming coconut oil on a daily basis.

3. Comfrey

rough comfrey

A popular herb that is well known for its pain relieving and healing properties is comfrey. Both the root and leaves of comfrey have properties that help to regenerate skin tissue and promote rapid cell growth, both of which speed the healing process.

What to Do

  • Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 Tbsp of dried comfrey, cover it and allow it to steep for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Make use of the solution as a warm compress or to clean the affected area using it 2 to 3 times each day until the condition improves.

4. Warm Sitz Bath

drawing of a man taking a sitz bath

A warm sitz bath can be one of the easiest and most effective home remedies for anal fissures. The surrounding warmth will help to ease the pain, itching and swelling while it also promotes healing.

What to Do

  • Fill your bathtub with warm water.
  • Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to help with relaxation.
  • Sit still in the tub up to your waist for 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Be sure to dry the area well and then apply coconut oil or other moisturizing treatment afterward.
  • Repeat this process a couple of times per day.

5. Aloe Vera

aloe leaves stacked

Everyone knows of the cooling, soothing and healing powers of aloe vera. The phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals found in aloe vera gel are some of the best known for reducing swelling and itching while healing the damaged tissues at the same time.

What to Do

  • Slice open a shoot from an aloe vera plant lengthwise.
  • Use a spoon to scrape out the gel from inside the shoot.
  • Dip some of this gel and apply it to the affected area.
  • Repeat this as needed throughout the day to bring relief.

6. Olive Oil, Honey and Beeswax

oilve oil and olives

Similar to coconut oil, which we discussed already, olive oil is also one of the effective home remedies for anal fissures. With similar medium chain fats, vitamins and minerals, olive oil has anti-inflammatory properties to help relieve the pain and burning in the affected area while also promoting healing. Honey acts as a natural antibiotic and promotes cell regeneration and bees wax helps to seal in the fissures.

What to Do

  • Add equal portions of olive oil, honey and beeswax in a bowl.
  • Microwave them long enough to melt the beeswax and then blend them together well.
  • Allow the mixture to cool, and then apply it to the rectum.
  • You can repeat this application several times throughout the day.

7. Flaxseed

Flaxseed on a spoon

Though flaxseed cannot be applied to the affected area topically, it can be used to keep constipation at bay while you heal and prevent the problem in the first place. Omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseed act as a laxative so that you do not strain during your bowel movements, which is an underlying cause of anal fissures.

What to Do

  • Grind flaxseeds in a coffee grinder or food processor or use flaxseed powder.
  • Add 1 Tbsp of the powder to a glass of warm water before going to bed.
  • As an alternative, you can take flaxseed capsules after consulting a health care professional to obtain the proper dosage.

8. Apple Cider Vinegar

apple cider vinegar next to apples on table

Another of the top home remedies for anal fissures is apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar has anti-inflammatory properties for using it topically or it can also be used as an effective treatment against constipation due to the presence of pectin, which is a water-soluble fiber that improves digestion.

What to Do

  • Stir 1 to 2 Tbsp of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar in a glass of warm water.
  • Drink this solution twice per day.
  • To use it topically, add 1 cup of ACV to your sitz bath or mix 1 part ACV with 2 parts water in a bowl, and then dip a soft cotton cloth into it to use as a compress.

9. Fiber

Oatmeal

Low fiber intake is what tends to lead to constipation. Consequently, adding more fiber into your diet is also among the home remedies for anal fissures. When stools are softer, you don’t have to strain during bowl movements and can avoid damaging the lining of the anus, which is what causes anal fissures.

What to Do

  • Introduce more high-fiber foods into your diet on a daily basis.
  • Select from any or several of the following foods: oatmeal, prunes, spinach, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, quinoa, buckwheat, papaya and legumes.
  • You can take fiber supplements as well, but consult a health care professional first.

10. Hydration

pouring water in a glass

Staying hydrated can also make a difference when it comes to both the healing and prevention of anal fissures. Water not only carries nutrients to vital organs, but it also carries away toxins. In addition, water helps to soften stools and prevent constipation.

What to Do

  • Many follow the 12 oz. of water every 2 hours throughout the day and others suggest 8 oz. 8 times per day. You can use whatever formula works best for you.
  • Freshly extracted fruit juices, various herbal teas and broth also help keep you hydrated.

11. Keep Area Dry

pads

Keeping the affected area dry is one of the essential home remedies for anal fissures. Though it might not be an appealing image, your sphincter is similar to your lips, when they are chapped, the worst thing you can do is lick them. In a similar manner, you need to keep the sphincter dry when you have anal fissures.

What to Do

  • After regular hygiene, make use of aloe vera, coconut oil, witch hazel on a cosmetic pad or the olive oil, honey and beeswax mixture to help keep the area dry and promote healing.
  • There are also over-the-counter medicated pads and wipes that you can use in a pinch.

12. Avoid Constipating Foods

avoid fried chicken

Because straining during bowel movements because of constipation is a significant cause of anal fissures, avoiding that straining to prevent the condition from occurring, and especially while you are suffering from it is a major objective. Avoiding foods that tend to cause constipation.

What to Do

  • Though people react differently to various foods, some of the most common offenders when it comes to constipation are: white rice, cheese, chocolate, large quantities of red meat, fried foods, chips, bananas and various dairy products. Avoiding these foods and replacing them with high fiber foods can reverse the condition quickly.

13. Exercise

yoga practices are good home remedies for hives

Exercise certainly doesn’t seem like the right activity to be engaged in while we are discussing home remedies for anal fissures, but it is helpful. Though you might not be thrilled about exercising while you are suffering from the burning and pain of anal fissures, it should be a motivator for you to engage in exercise to prevent it. Exercise tends to prevent constipation as well as improve the overall health of the sphincter.

What to Do

  • While you are suffering from anal fissures, you can walk, do yoga, stretch, do light housework or gardening as well as canoeing.
  • You probably should stay away from cycling, heavy weight lifting, contact sports, lots of running or anything in which you have to strain.

14. Avoid Sharp Foods

avoid chips

Avoiding foods that do not digest well and tend to have sharp edges that can irritate, scrape or cut the sphincter while you are having a bowel movement can make a lot of difference when it comes to preventing anal fissures or aggravating them once you have them. Consequently, avoiding sharp foods is included among our home remedies for anal fissures.

What to Do

  • Avoid foods like nuts, popcorn, chips, corn and tortilla chips.

15. L-arginine Gel

L-arginine Gel

The amino acid L-arginine can also help promote the healing of anal fissures by increasing the flow of nitric oxide to the affected area. It is often used as a replacement for patients who do not respond well to isosorbide dinitrate for treating chronic anal fissures.

What to Do

  • Simple apply an over-the-counter version of L-arginine gel to the affected area.
  • Repeat this process several times throughout the day.

Home Remedies for Anal Fissures Wrapping Up

The burning, swelling, pain and discomfort of anal fissures can bring your active lifestyle to a screeching halt. There is no reason that you have to continue to suffer, you can prevent or treat the condition by making use of one or several of the 15 home remedies for anal fissures on our list and get right back into your regular routine fast. Please be sure to leave any additional remedies, questions, comments or success stories in the section provided below.