Tears in the lining of the anal canal (lower rectum) which cause pain and discomfort during bowel movements are known as anal fissures. They are usually related to bowel disorders like constipation and don’t develop into more serious issues.

Anal fissure home treatment can help in healing acute or short-term anal fissures within a few days or a week. Anal fissures that do not heal even after giving home treatment for up to 12 weeks are considered chronic or long-term anal fissures which might require medical treatment.

Anal Fissure Home Treatment

Anal fissures can be quite uncomfortable and may cause you to bleed when passing hard stools. The good news is that anal fissures home remedies can help to ease your pain.

Aloe Vera

Another excellent anal fissure home treatment method is to make use of aloe vera. Since it possesses anti-inflammatory properties and soothes the skin, it can prove to be very helpful in treating anal fissures. Apply the aloe vera gel directly on the affected area at least 3-4 times a day. This will help in reducing the pain and healing the infection. You can also make use of an aloe vera compress for your anus which will alleviate pain and accelerate the healing process.

Wheat Germ Oil

Wheat germ oil is an excellent natural remedy for treating anal fissures which can help in healing them quickly. Apply small quantity of wheat germ oil over the entire affected area and leave it there for around half an hour. Use a wet and soft tissue to wipe the oil off the skin until it is dry. Apply the wheat germ oil at least twice a day to obtain the desired results.

Olive Oil

Olive oil can be used for treating anal fissures in two different ways. Firstly, being a healthy fat, olive oil makes it easier for the stool to pass through the rectum by moistening it and lubricating the bowel system. Secondly, olive oil can alleviate the pain caused by the anal fissures by reducing the inflammation in the body.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is considered one of the best anal fissure home remedies. The reason for this is the wound healing capabilities of coconut oil and the fact that it can be used for moisturizing all the linings of the body. Apply the coconut oil directly to the anal sphincter throughout the day and if you are having a chronic fissure or experiencing a dry anus, then use it before going to bed too.

Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated is also among the best anal fissure home treatment options. Drinking plenty of water helps in avoiding constipation, which is a necessary requirement for anal fissure treatment and also aids in digestion and softens the stools. Water is an effective flushing agent and can expel the infection from the body as well. Just make sure that you consume water half an hour after or before your meals and not during the meals.

Perform Regular Exercise

Exercising moderately for about half an hour is important for treating anal fissures at home. This excise can be a simple physical activity like walking but it has to be done on a daily basis. Exercise will help in increasing the flow of blood to all the parts of the body which will accelerate the healing process too.

Cold and Hot Compresses

Anal fissures can be effectively treated by making use of hot and cold compresses. In order to make a compress, take a clean piece of soft cloth and dip it in hot water. Apply the compress on the affected area after wringing it and keep it on for a few minutes. After applying the hot compress three times, dip the cloth in cold water and apply it on the affected area after wringing it. Make sure that you apply one cold compress after every three hot compresses.

Keep Affected Area Clean

One of the best ways of treating anal fissures at home is to ensure that they are kept clean and dry all the time. If moisture is allowed in this area, then there is a chance for bacterial infections to develop which can further delay the healing process. So, take a soft toilet paper for wiping the area regularly but avoid using rough ones or colored or scented toilet papers as they can irritate the sores. Baby powder can be used for keeping the affected area dry after a bowel movement or a bath.

Take Daily Hot or Warm Bath

Taking daily hot or warm bath can help in relaxing the internal anal sphincter which results in unrestricted flow of blood to this area. Try to visualize the increase in blood flow to the anal sphincter while you are immersing your body in hot water. You can do this by placing your hand on the area between the anus and the genitals called the perineum. This will give your mind a target area to focus on and will make the visualization much easier for you.

Keep Tabs on Your Diet

Keeping tabs on your diet is also an important method of anal fissure home treatment. Make it your habit to consume around 30 grams of fiber each day. It will improve the healing of the fissures by softening the stools. You can achieve this daily intake of fiber by consuming foods like whole grains, fruits, nuts and vegetables. You can make use of a fiber supplement for increasing your fiber intake, too.

Besides consuming fiber, it is also important to stay away from food items made from refined flours like biscuits, pastries, cakes and white bread. Since sugary foods and white rice cause constipation, they should be avoided too. As pain in the fissures can increase if you are having diarrhea, therefore it is best to avoid dairy products as well since they are known to cause diarrhea.