Hi everyone!
I am a 19 yr old male, unfortunately and possibly suffering from an anal fissure.
My fissure problems started around this past November/December 2010. Currently everything has of course gotten worse since then. But as I was reading these forums I suddenly realized I may not exactly have a "fissure" but probably some serious pruritus around my anal area.
I believe all this itchiness, burning, and pain was a result from some seriously changing BM. All of the sudden about 2 years ago I started having more trouble with going #2. Just out of the blue. And ever sense then my body and systems have been functioning almost like I have some form of IBS or whatnot.
I want to describe my issues and see if they really do seem like a fissure or just superficial cracking/pain though:
Okay, so basically my anal area gets really dry sometimes, then really moist/wet at other times, almost like the anal area is overly secreting alot of liquid (which when wiped shows up as a dull yellow color on toilet paper). I have ridiculous, undying itching, unless I am just sitting still or laying down. The itching gets a bit worse as I begin to lay down to go to sleep, and sporatically becomes itchy when I go to walk long distances. I do have some minor blood spots after a BM, and during a BM there is some pain (but not enough for me to cry or anything), but as soon as the BM is done my anus seems to calm down and feel a bit better, even though it is a little bloody and continues to begin to itch even more afterwards.
Of course most of the time the area around my anus is more irritated than anything else, and I am not sensing an anal fissure to the degree of the posts I have been reading, if indeed I actually have one. I don't have the sphincter spasms or throbbing, etc.
This is why I am leery as to whether or not I actually have a fissure. I do see some minor "cut" looking areas ArounD my anal area, but not particularly on/in the actual opening. If anyone could help me ease my mind as to whether I seem to or seem not to I would love some input!
I intend to see a doctor soon, probably within the next 2 weeks or so.
Thank you!
I am glad to finally find a forum dedicated to the fissure menace, sometimes I just want to not have a butt.

hey i am not sure about the fissure either but everyone is different some have more pain with bm others have spasms out of this world. I would go to the Doctor ASAP the sooner you see someone the sooner you get on with your life.

Hi there,
it does worry me slightly that you say you are leaking a dull yellow liquid - that sounds like an infection. I have a fistula and it is extremely itchy, and while painful, it's not as painful as a fissure. Do you have a temperature at all? If I were you I would see a doctor ASAP.
Good luck!

I'm so sorry you are suffering! You've come to the right place, even if you don't have a fissure. The folks here are great and will offer sound advice and helpful support.
I definitely agree with Val here. Go see a doctor asap. If it is an infection, you will want to get that treated right away.
I hope you find relief very soon! Keep us posted :D

Thank you all for the quick responses!
I had been meaning to hurry up and reply but hadn't had a chance.
I think I may be on to curing whatever I have. The yellowy mucus is gone now as well! I never did have a fever thank goodness! I bought some Prep-H the other day when my anal area was ultimately almost unbearably itchy and irritated! (I understand it is for hemorrhoids) and it actually has really been helping ALOT!
I also applied a small dab of neosporin to some of the cuts on the external surrounding areas of my anal area! And after 2 days it really has started clearing up alot of my itching, pain, and burning!

I did forget to mention earlier that all of this was accompanied by a large red rash, about a 2.5 inch radius around my anus, and that has also started to fade considerably.
I know I should probably still see a doctor, but I'm a guy and really would rather not :) Of course I may still go lol.
Thank you all again for the responses!