Intense itching from anal fissure....
Posted , 11 users are following.
I have an anal fissure and possibly some more problems, I'm soon to have an internal investigation by camera (sorry forgot name and notes are in the car) The itching around my anus and perennial area is just too much to bear. I try to ignore it, and bathe it it salt water or plain water or even diluted witchhazel. I'm red raw now and using rectogesic x3 a day and also Cavilon cream which acts as a waterproof barrier. I also have instillagel which is a god send and like bonjela for my bum (surgeons description)
Anyone else suffered with the itching? I'd much appreciate any tips and advice.
Thank you....
0 likes, 21 replies
steven01498 Netty179a
Posted
This is my post from a couple months ago. After almost 2 months I am still symptom free, and I itched bad!! I mean a lot, many times raw as your describing. Try using moist wipes and a hand held shower head to clean. Here's the post-
After exhausting my local physicians, I recently went to a Surgeon who specializes in colon & rectal surgery. I told him about my problem and without hesitation he said stop drinking coffee, in fact, cut out ALL caffeine and stop eating chocolate. I told him I didn't believe him. There's no way something so simple could alleviate a problem that has been plaguing me for 30 years. It wasn't easy since I love both chocolate and coffee (coffee was the hardest) but you know what? IT WORKED, I have been symptom free for weeks!! He also advised me to put a piece of cotton in my butt crack to cover my anus to help absorb moisture, this makes a big diff too.
I suffered for so long that I am still in disbelief. If you have suffered with this, I mean seriously battled this then you know how debilitating it can be. Late night showers, scratching, the endless creams & powders... Please take this advice. Despite the intense caffiene headaches in the beginning it has been worth it. The doctor said to me. "The cure is up to you, there is nothing I can do for you. Use the cotton and quit eating those items. 90% of my patients have been successful with this approach. " He said I can try to reintroduce them into my diet but I am not sure I want to. I kinda like being caffeine free. I sleep better too!!
GOOD LUCK!!
Netty179a steven01498
Posted
Hi, thanks for your advice, however I don't eat dairy because it affects my asthma and I also can't tolerate it since my gallbladder was removed removed a few years ago.
I've been on an elimination diet for couple of weeks now do pretty much cut out a load of stuff anyway for other reasons. My itching has not changed and has stayed intense for months.
I don't have much caffeine, I don't drink fizzy drinks and only drink weak green / white tea.
The chocolate I do eat is usually dark chocolate.
I was wondering if anyone had any immediate relief ideas.... I've seen one with ice packs and that sounds good, will be trying that tonight.
jonathan_74756 steven01498
Posted
Marina_Dee Netty179a
Posted
Steven's answer to you is very interesting and helpful. Has anyone suggested that you try to modify your diet to see if you are sensitive to a particular food? A dairy intolerance can also cause this sort of problem. Its worth a try. If you regularly drink alcohol try making this the first item you leave out of your diet. If no improvement try Steven's tips,and then try leaving out dairy. It may not be any of these but gradually work through your diet,leaving out one thing at a time.
Netty179a Marina_Dee
Posted
Hiya, thank you for your reply :-)I'll not repeat myself lol..... However as you can see from my reply to steven01498 I already have adjusted my diet for other reasons and don't have dairy, much caffeine and limited dark chocolate.
I need something that will stop me scratching, it's so hard to not do it. :-/
Marina_Dee Netty179a
Posted
I wonder which came first..the fissure or the itching? I'm assuming you are not constipated,or suffer with chronic diarrhoea.
Have you tried using baby wipes? Only wear cotton underwear,and loose fitting if possible. Also make sure your underpants are washed separately at a high temperature. Go without pants at night to keep the area as cool, dry and aired as possible. Hope you soon find some relief.
Netty179a Marina_Dee
Posted
I do all that too Marina, it's just exhausting keeping on top of everything.
The fissure came first, about 3 years ago, the itching is a new thing, about 3-4 months. I'm just so sore.
Well I'll just have to hope the camera investigation comes up with something.
😬
jonathan_74756 Marina_Dee
Posted
jonathan_74756 Netty179a
Posted
jonathan_74756 Marina_Dee
Posted
lbloislane Netty179a
Posted
Netty- I hear you. It's a horrid condition. For me I'm convinced that it is allergy/sensitivity related. I already have a limited diet so don't want to cut out some of my favourite things which I think might be the culprit. I suspect it may be berries (in a 100% jam that I use once daily, or peanut butter once daily or possibly cacao - twice daily. I need to try cutting out all 3 and reintroducing 1 by 1. In the meantime, there are some things you can do which can really help. It also flares up if I have lemon or lime or pineapple that's too acidic - which I now don't have.
Immediately after you bathe - using a 'sensitive' very mild soap (I use QV sensitive liquid soap but any mild soap works), pat dry thoroughly, then put a tiny bit of Advantan cream - Methylprednisolone Aceponate (1mg) (prescribed by your doctor), wait a few moments for that to soak in & dry, and then use a 'sensitive' barrier cream, sensitive nappy rash or eczema ointment (I use QV flare-up by Ego - 1% Glycerol) - as a barrier. The first couple of days this does sting if you have broken skin - but stick with it - it really does help through the night. It's the small amounts of natural lubricant from your bottom, which when you're eating something you're sensitive to will contain that irritant in the fluid.
On those first few days if it's really bad, use a very small ice pack - like you put in kids' lunch boxes straight from the freezer, inside a thin sock, and place between your bottom cheeks, pushed gently into the area so it cools the itchy part while you sleep. The ice-pack really stops the itch, and helps you get through those first few days. This has again resolved it for me - but it does take a few days to resolve. It's so hard not to itch - so when that happens - wash the area with a cotton pad and very mild/sensitive soap and do the same - Advantan+Barrier cream+ice-pack in a sock. Try really hard to do all this BEFORE you first scratch - as once you scratch, it's hard to stop and you've usually broken and irritated the skin, so it will be more sensitive to that natural fluid, and will make the barrier cream sting a little.
Good luck!
lbloislane Netty179a
Posted
Netty I know it's hard but try not to do that first scratch. It really will make it worse. I found Advantan cream VERY helpful. Also I use a small ice pack in a fresh ankle sock tucked in there at night, when it's really driving me nuts. It really helps! (After I've washed the area gently with a wet flannel and a little QV gentle liquid bodywash, and then rinse with water and gently dry.)
Advantan cream really helped settle it down. It used to be really bad, but I now only have it when I stay up too late, I find. So I find it's much worse at night, and much worse if I go to bed late - for some reason??? If I go to bed early, it's not so bad.
Also watch what you're eating, as many people have suggested that certain foods aggravate it - like Cheese. I do eat goat's cheese every night, but the nights I don't, I still have the problem, so I'm not convinced that is the source. I also haven't noticed a link with chocolate or cacao - thank goodness! I love my cacao. And I don't drink coffee - haven't done for years, so that's definitely not the cause for me.
Good luck with it - it's really not a fun problem to have. So glad this link is here.
Jessicadlr Netty179a
Posted
Hi netty,
I am in the same boat you were and I'm losing my mind. I can't handle it anymore. Exact same issues as you. What ended up causing all of it ? Did you eventually get relief ?
pankaj_21195 Netty179a
Posted
lbloislane pankaj_21195
Posted
Ajay I hear you! Ditto the lemon, tomatoes, chillis/capsicum - also I suspect berries, possibly peanut butter and maybe cacao. This is my response to Netty above :
"Netty- I hear you. It's a horrid condition. For me I'm convinced that it is allergy/sensitivity related. I already have a limited diet so don't want to cut out some of my favourite things which I think might be the culprit. I suspect it may be berries (in a 100% jam that I use once daily, or peanut butter once daily or possibly cacao - twice daily. I need to try cutting out all 3 and reintroducing 1 by 1. In the meantime, there are some things you can do which can really help. It also flares up if I have lemon or lime or pineapple that's too acidic - which I now don't have.
Immediately after you bathe - using a 'sensitive' very mild soap (I use QV sensitive liquid soap but any mild soap works), pat dry thoroughly, then put a tiny bit of Advantan cream - Methylprednisolone Aceponate (1mg) (prescribed by your doctor), wait a few moments for that to soak in & dry, and then use a 'sensitive' barrier cream, sensitive nappy rash or eczema ointment (I use QV flare-up by Ego - 1% Glycerol) - as a barrier. The first couple of days this does sting if you have broken skin - but stick with it - it really does help through the night. It's the small amounts of natural lubricant from your bottom, which when you're eating something you're sensitive to will contain that irritant in the fluid.
On those first few days if it's really bad, use a very small ice pack - like you put in kids' lunch boxes straight from the freezer, inside a thin sock, and place between your bottom cheeks, pushed gently into the area so it cools the itchy part while you sleep. The ice-pack really stops the itch, and helps you get through those first few days. This has again resolved it for me - but it does take a few days to resolve. It's so hard not to itch - so when that happens - wash the area with a cotton pad and very mild/sensitive soap and do the same - Advantan+Barrier cream+ice-pack in a sock. Try really hard to do all this BEFORE you first scratch - as once you scratch, it's hard to stop and you've usually broken and irritated the skin, so it will be more sensitive to that natural fluid, and will make the barrier cream sting a little. "
Good luck!