Is It a Hemorrhoid or Anal Fissure?
Is It a Hemorrhoid or Anal Fissure? Hemorrhoids are lumps that result from swollen veins around your anus. Fissures are skin tears in your anus and are more likely to cause pain and lead to complications.
Hemorrhoids happen when veins around your anus swell. Anal fissures occur when the skin of your anus breaks and bleeds.
The symptoms of these two conditions are similar, but they have different causes and risk factors.
Read on to learn more about the differences between hemorrhoids and anal fissures, how to tell the difference based on your symptoms, and how doctors can diagnose and prescribe treatments for each condition.
Hemorrhoids are due to swollen veins in the anus or rectum.
Hemorrhoids usually happen when you put too much pressure on the anus. Risk factors for hemorrhoids include:
What are hemorrhoids?
As many as half of all people will have a hemorrhoid by the time they reach 50 years of age.
What are anal fissures?
Anal fissures happen when the skin in your anus gets torn or cut.
Infants and people over 50 years old are most likely to develop anal fissures.
Some of the most common causes of anal fissures include:
Anal fissures can also result from chronic conditions like:
What are the differences in symptoms between a hemorrhoid and an anal fissure?
Common symptoms of hemorrhoids include:
Most hemorrhoids don’t cause pain. Anal fissures are more likely to cause pain because of skin tears and bacterial infectionsTrusted Source.
Symptoms of anal fissures include:
How do doctors diagnose hemorrhoids vs. anal fissures?
Doctors can often diagnose either a hemorrhoid or an anal fissure during a physical exam.
For deeper hemorrhoids or anal fissures, a doctor may perform a digital rectal exam to feel inside your anus.
Other diagnostic tests that can help diagnose a hemorrhoid or an anal fissure include:
What is the treatment for hemorrhoids vs. anal fissures?
Most hemorrhoids and anal fissures will go away on their own if you reduce pressure on your anus.
You can also soak your anus in a small tub of warm, clean water — known as a sitz bath — to relieve the pain of a hemorrhoid or an anal fissure.
Topical ointments and creams can also reduce swelling and itching that could otherwise irritate a hemorrhoid or an anal fissure and make it worse.
Hemorrhoids that don’t go away on their own may require removal using a rubber band ligation. Anal fissures may also need surgical removal if other treatments aren’t successful.
What is the outlook for people with hemorrhoids vs. anal fissures?
Hemorrhoids are relatively common and not difficult to treat.
You can prevent most hemorrhoids by avoiding straining when you poop and lift objects and by eating a healthy, high fiber diet.
Anal fissures can be much more serious without treatment because infectious bacteria can enter open cuts and cause dangerous illnesses.
Anal fissures can also increase your chance of sexually transmitted infections.
Hemorrhoids or anal fissures that bleed and go without treatment can also cause:
Hemorrhoid vs. fissure vs. fistula
An anal fistula is a small tunnel that can open between the skin and anus and get infected. Fistulas can cause intense pain and release pus or discharge.
Hemorrhoids and anal fissures can turn into fistulas if they become infected.
How can I prevent hemorrhoids and anal fissures?
Here are some prevention tips for both hemorrhoids and anal fissures:
Frequently asked questions
Can fissures turn into hemorrhoids?
Anal fissures don’t turn into hemorrhoids. They’re two different conditions with different symptoms and causes.
Can you have hemorrhoids and fissures together?
You can have hemorrhoids and anal fissures together. Sometimes, hemorrhoids and anal fissures are due to the same issue, such as straining too hard or irritation from diarrhea or constipation.
Is Preparation H good for fissures?
Preparation H, a common hemorrhoid cream, isn’t good for fissures that are open, bleeding, or infected.
Try to treat the cut first to help the anal fissure heal and close up. Then, you can use Preparation H and other topical treatments to help with pain, itching, or swelling.
Takeaway
Hemorrhoids and anal fissures can have similar causes. But anal fissures can cause more pain and be more dangerous because they’re more susceptible to infection.
Contact a doctor if you have symptoms of hemorrhoids or anal fissures that don’t go away on their own or with home treatment.
Great read, thanks for the detailed information! It’s so important to differentiate between hemorrhoids and anal fissures since they require different treatments. Your post helped clear up a lot of confusion I had. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for the informative post! It was really helpful to understand the differences between hemorrhoids and anal fissures. The detailed symptoms and treatment options you provided make it easier to identify which condition one might have and seek appropriate medical advice.
Great read! It’s super important to understand the differences between hemorrhoids and anal fissures given how common they are. Knowing the symptoms can definitely help in seeking the right treatment sooner. Thanks for sharing this informative piece!
Thanks for the detailed post! It’s really helpful to understand the differences between hemorrhoids and anal fissures. Knowing the symptoms and treatment options definitely makes it easier to handle these conditions if they arise. Great information!