Hi, I'm new here but have been reading posts for weeks.
I've suffered with unbearable anal itching for over a decade. I went to the proctologist in 2007 and was told it was probably an allergic reaction to something. I switched to dove soap and dye/fragrance free everything. That seemed to help for a bit but the itching slowly returned. Earlier this yr i was diagnosed with a fissure. I used Dialtzepam (sp?), tried fasting for 5 days, switched to a leafy green diet with no red meats... nothing has worked and in fact it's gotten worse and I now have a fistula. I've been recommended to have a fissurectomy and sphincterectomy but don't want surgery. I get a 2nd opinion Monday.
The pain is mostly tolerable esp with the new diet, but the itching is unbearable. I wake up in the early morning finding myself itching and unable to go back to sleep. This has been ongoing for way too long and I don't know what to do.i wipe gently, stay clean, use baths and now use vagisil to help w the itch.
This site has been helpful, just knowing I'm not alone in this horrible, embarrassing situation makes me feel better, but I'm still scared. I don't want to undergo surgery but feel like there's no other option. Does anyone have advice?

All I can say is, I think I know how it feels, and you have my complete sympathy. I've been trying to postpone/avoid surgery by using anti-convulsants and GTN, but some days/nights are so bad I get the feeling that something more radical is needed. I am currently weighing up whether to ask my GP to refer me to a CRS for the umpteenth time. I do have a fear of surgery, though.

The important thing, IMO, is to value the moments when the pain is not so bad, and when it is bad remember that others are going through something similar, if not worse.

An ointment called Calmoseptine has helped me with itching etc. If you can't get it from a pharmacy, you can order it on Amazon. It won't cure the problem but it help you manage.

Thanks so much for the help!
I will try the calmoseptine!

For itching try vitamin e. I recommend one called Jasons Vitamine E face antiaging cream. It has 25000IU of vitamin e with aloe in it also. Helps eczema a ton, helps your skin heal. It was helpful for healing the fissure at times too.

When I had success with my fissure before it got worse, i was using tripple antibiotic ointment with pain killer in it, plus the vitamin e cream, and nifedipine ointment. Also diaper rash vitamin a+d ointment is very helpful especially if it has zinc in it.

When I had success with my fissure before it got worse, i was using tripple antibiotic ointment with pain killer in it, plus the vitamin e cream, and nifedipine ointment. Also diaper rash vitamin a+d ointment is very helpful especially if it has zinc in it.