BABY AND CHILDHOOD DIGESTIVE SYSTEM DISORDERS: PAINFUL ANUS (ANAL FISSURE)
An anal fissure is one of those diabolical things that cause an awful lot of pain for a child and a lot of worry for mum. Junior simply hates having a normal bowel action and instead refuses to budge— often, but not always. So the child becomes constipated. Bowel actions become less frequent, and when they do occur the motions are often hard and like pellets. The harder the faecal matter, the more difficult it is to pass. So, this tends to dilate/the anal passage more and in turn produces even greater amounts of pain.
A fissure is a tear, often very small and hardly detectable. Its size has no direct bearing on the intensity of pain produced. Parents often look in disbelief when they see how tiny it is. It is usually located right at the anal orifice; and as the hole distends, it is also stretched, hence the pain. In fact, the child will often yell its head off. Sometimes there is bright red blood in the motions. Generally it happens in the under 2 age group.
Treatment
Treatment is fairly simple and straightforward. Most cases are not self-diagnosed but usually the doctor will discover it first.
Relieving constipation is the first essential step. (Read the section on constipation, earlier in this chapter, for the general principles). Plenty of fluids is the best starting point.
Applying an ointment containing a local anaesthetic is the next step. The doctor will prescribe this, probably one containing xylocaine which is popular and effective. This ointment should be applied half an hour before you expect the infant to have the next bowel action—often it is after a normal feed.
Long term, following the general principles to avoid constipation will help check recurrences after the fissure has healed. Using very soft toilet tissue or napkins, and applying lanoline after bowel actions, keeps the area soft.
*59\87\2*
Related Posts:
Posted in General healthTags: General health
Leave a comment
You need to log in to comment.