Anal Fissures Pictures & Images - What do Anal Fissures Look Like?

Home > Image Gallery

How to Identify Anal Fissures: Symptoms, Causes, and Diagnosis Tips

Discomfort during a bowel movement can be worrying, and it helps to understand what might be causing it. Anal fissures are small tears in the lining of the anus, and they can cause pain and bleeding. Anal fissures are often mistaken for hemorrhoids because the symptoms can look similar, but they have distinct signs that help set them apart.

Identifying anal fissures means paying attention to specific symptoms. You may feel a sharp, tearing pain when passing stool—often described as “broken glass” or “razor blades.” Bright red blood on toilet paper or in the toilet bowl is also common. While anyone can develop an anal fissure, they are more common after childbirth and in people with ongoing digestive problems such as Crohn’s disease.

Table of contents

• What is an anal fissure?
• Common symptoms
• Causes and risk factors
• Diagnosing anal fissures
• Treatment options
• Possible complications
• When to consult a doctor
• Frequently asked questions
• Anal fissures pictures
• Information on health conditions
• Sources

Understanding these symptoms can help you tell the difference between anal fissures and other conditions, so you can seek appropriate care and relief. If you’re unsure, discussing your symptoms with a healthcare professional is always a wise step.

What Is An Anal Fissure?

An anal fissure is a small tear in the thin, moist tissue lining your anus. It can happen at any age and often develops after passing large or hard stools. Common symptoms include intense pain during bowel movements and bright red bleeding. This condition can be mistaken for hemorrhoids, but fissure pain is often sharp and tearing. Anal fissures can also result from chronic diarrhea, childbirth, or conditions such as Crohn’s disease. Many fissures heal with proper care, but ongoing symptoms may require medical attention.

Common Symptoms Of Anal Fissures

Recognizing the symptoms of anal fissures can help you distinguish them from other conditions. Although they can be very painful, anal fissures are usually not serious.

Pain And Discomfort

Pain and discomfort are common with anal fissures. You may experience a sharp, tearing sensation during bowel movements. This pain can continue for several minutes to a few hours afterward, making daily activities uncomfortable.

Bleeding

Bleeding occurs in many cases. You may notice bright red blood on toilet paper or in the toilet bowl after a bowel movement. This bleeding often appears immediately with bowel movements and is typically bright red.

Itching And Irritation

Itching and irritation can occur as the skin around the anus becomes inflamed. You may notice persistent itching or a burning sensation when sitting or during bowel movements, which can add to overall discomfort.

Causes And Risk Factors

Anal fissures can occur for several reasons. Many causes involve everyday bowel habits, while others relate to underlying health conditions.

Constipation

Frequent constipation is a common cause. Hard stools can stretch the anal lining and create tears. Increasing fiber and drinking enough water may help reduce constipation. If constipation is frequent, consult a healthcare provider for guidance.

Childbirth

Childbirth is a significant risk factor. Pressure during delivery can strain the anal area and contribute to tears. Many women experience anal fissures postpartum, so it can be helpful to discuss prevention and recovery support with your medical team during pregnancy.

Diagnosing Anal Fissures

Diagnosing anal fissures usually involves describing your symptoms and having a gentle physical examination.

Medical Examination

Your healthcare provider will often diagnose an anal fissure by visually inspecting the anal area after you describe your symptoms. In many cases, no instruments need to be inserted because the tear can be seen externally. Fissures often appear at the 12 or 6 o’clock positions around the anus. If a fissure appears in a different location, your provider may consider other causes, including conditions such as Crohn’s disease. Acute fissures may look like a fresh paper cut, while chronic fissures can look deeper and may have internal or external growths. Sharing your medical history can help identify contributing factors.

Treatment Options For Anal Fissures

Treatment focuses on easing pain and supporting healing. Options range from home care to medical treatment, depending on how severe or persistent the fissure is.

Home Remedies

Home care may help relieve discomfort and support healing. A high-fiber diet and plenty of water can soften stool and reduce straining. Fiber-rich foods include fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. Warm baths (sitz baths) can also help by relaxing the anal muscles and improving blood flow to the area.

Medications

If home care does not provide enough relief, medications may help. Over-the-counter pain relievers can reduce discomfort. A doctor may prescribe a topical anesthetic for short-term use (often about five to seven days) to avoid irritation. Glyceryl nitrate cream may be recommended, though it can cause headaches or lightheadedness. Calcium channel blockers may also be prescribed to help relax the anal muscles.

Surgical Intervention

For chronic fissures that do not heal with conservative treatment, surgery may be considered. A common procedure is lateral internal sphincterotomy, where a small cut is made in the anal sphincter muscle to reduce pressure and promote healing. Surgical treatment is often effective, but your healthcare provider can explain the risks and benefits for your situation.

Possible Complications

Untreated anal fissures can lead to complications. A fissure may become chronic if it does not heal, causing recurring pain and discomfort. Infection can develop if bacteria enter the open tear, potentially leading to abscesses or fistulas (abnormal tunnels between the anal canal and surrounding skin). Persistent fissures can also cause scarring or tissue hardening, which can make healing more difficult. Ongoing bleeding may contribute to anemia if it is heavy and prolonged. Consulting a healthcare professional early can help prevent complications and support effective healing.

When To Consult A Doctor

If symptoms persist or pain becomes chronic, consult a doctor. If you have tried home treatments for several weeks without improvement, professional advice is recommended.

Sudden intense pain that worsens, significant bleeding, or blood loss that seems excessive should be medically assessed.

Because infections can occur, seek medical care if you notice swelling, unusual discharge, or increasing redness.

If symptoms are atypical (for example, a fissure off the usual midline) or if you have conditions such as Crohn’s disease, medical evaluation is especially important.

If fissures frequently recur despite self-care, a doctor can help identify contributing factors and guide more advanced options.

Conclusion

Understanding anal fissures and their symptoms can make a real difference in comfort and well-being. Recognizing the signs and knowing when to seek medical advice helps you take proactive steps to manage this condition. While home care can be effective for many people, ongoing or severe symptoms should be evaluated by a healthcare provider. Staying informed about complications and treatment options can help you navigate anal fissures with more confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are anal fissures, and how do they differ from hemorrhoids?

Anal fissures are small tears in the lining of the anus that can cause sharp pain during bowel movements and bright red bleeding. Hemorrhoids are swollen veins that can cause itching, discomfort, bleeding, and sometimes lumps around the anus. Because symptoms can overlap, a healthcare provider can help confirm the diagnosis and recommend the right treatment.

What are common symptoms of anal fissures?

Common symptoms include intense pain during and after bowel movements (often described as sharp or tearing), bright red bleeding on toilet paper or in the toilet, and irritation or itching due to inflammation.

What causes anal fissures?

Anal fissures commonly occur after passing large or hard stools. Chronic constipation, diarrhea, childbirth, and conditions such as Crohn’s disease can increase risk. Preventing constipation with fiber, hydration, and appropriate medical advice can help reduce risk.

How are anal fissures diagnosed?

Diagnosis usually involves a symptom review and a gentle visual exam. Acute fissures may look like fresh paper cuts, while chronic fissures can appear deeper and may be associated with tissue changes. Fissures that occur in unusual positions may prompt evaluation for underlying conditions.

What treatments are available for anal fissures?

Many fissures improve with home care such as fiber, fluids, stool softening, and warm baths. Medications may include topical anesthetics, nitroglycerin, or calcium channel blockers. Chronic fissures may require procedures such as lateral internal sphincterotomy, which can be highly effective when appropriate.

When should I consult a doctor about an anal fissure?

Seek medical advice if symptoms persist despite home care, if pain or bleeding is severe, if you notice unusual discharge or swelling, or if fissures recur frequently. Professional evaluation is also important if you have underlying digestive conditions.

Anal Fissures Pictures

Although anal fissures are sometimes confused with hemorrhoids, fissures pictures will clearly show the difference in these two conditions. Anal fissures can be extremely painful during a bowel movement and for some minutes afterward. The pain is often described as passing “razor blades” or “broken glass,” and it can last for 10 to 15 minutes after a bowel movement. You may also notice bright red blood on the toilet paper. Pain can be even more severe if the bowel movement is hard.

Try this natural fissures product

What Healing Natural Oils customers have to say about H-Fissures Formula

Fissures images will show that an anal fissure is a small tear in the skin around the opening of the anus and is usually situated in line with the cleft of the buttocks. Anal fissures are common in both adults and children and can be divided into two types – those that have appeared quite recently are called acute anal fissures and those that have not healed after 6 weeks are called chronic anal fissures (persistent anal fissures).

In spite of the pain and discomfort, it is important to know that this is not a dangerous condition and it can be treated. If you have been diagnosed with fissures or you have compared your own condition to fissures photos, you can start treatment. Without treatment, there could be permanent scarring that may cause pain and bleeding whenever there is a bowel movement. An important part of treatment is to ease pain and keep bowel movements soft while healing continues. Constipation and straining to pass hard stools are commonly associated with fissures because they can create small tears in the anal skin.

Information on health conditions:

Sources

Mayo Clinic Staff. Anal fissure - Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. Updated Dec 31, 2024. (Accessed Mar 5, 2026) https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anal-fissure/symptoms-causes/syc-20351424

Mayo Clinic Staff. Anal fissure - Diagnosis and treatment. Mayo Clinic. Updated Dec 31, 2024. (Accessed Mar 5, 2026) https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anal-fissure/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351430

Davids JS, et al. The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Anal Fissures. Dis Colon Rectum. 2023;66(2):190-199. doi:10.1097/DCR.0000000000002664. (Accessed Mar 5, 2026) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36321851/

Arnold MJ. Management of Anal Fissures: Guidelines From the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. American Family Physician. 2024 Feb;109(2):188-189. (Accessed Mar 5, 2026) https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2024/0200/practice-guidelines-anal-fissures.html

NHS. Anal fissure. (Accessed Mar 5, 2026) https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/anal-fissure/

Healthdirect Australia. Anal fissure: symptoms, causes and treatments. (Accessed Mar 5, 2026) https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/anal-fissure

Cleveland Clinic. Anal fissure: What it is, symptoms, causes & treatment. Last updated Apr 25, 2023. (Accessed Mar 5, 2026) https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/13177-anal-fissures