Anal fissure

Definition:

A small split or tear in the anal mucosa that may cause painful bowel movements, bleeding with streaks of blood on the outside of the stool, or blood on the toilet tissue.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Anal fissures are common in young infants, and studies suggest 80% of infants will have had an anal fissure by age 1. The incidence decreases rapidly with age, and fissures are uncommon by school age. It is thought that fissures may occur from excessive wiping, constipation with large hard stools, irritation from stool in the diaper, and from scratching caused by conditions such as pinworms.