Hi, I've had my first anal fissure for a few weeks so I'm new to this. I've read that I'm supposed to do Sitz Baths, so I've been doing them for 18 minutes, but I thought this was supposed to sooth. Most of the time it feels good, but sometimes I'm still itchy while doing it. And everytime I'm extremely itchy when I get up. Is it normal to be real itchy when finished? Thank You

Hi shimmy. Welcome, but sorry that you have to be here. But, it is a great place for advice from people who know the 'pain'.
I am one of the people here who did not react that well to Sitz Baths, but most who use them - and most Colo-Rectal Surgeons (CRS) - recommend them. Maybe 18 minutes is a little long, and you could try the Sitz for 10 minutes at a time, and build up. Usually if I have a sensation of itch, it usually means that something is irritating the fissure, and that something (poop) is difficult to get rid of completely. What the Sitz Bath is supposed to do is encourage heat to the anus to improve blood flow, which in turn encourages healing.
What I do, because I have not had a good experience in general with the SB, I use very soft toilet paper which I wet with warm water and dab at my rear until it comes away clean. I use TP that is a bit thicker than the average and that seems to help me. Then I use Vaseline on the outside.
Are you using a 'proper' Sitz, that fits over the toilet? That is what I have, as I most definitely could not sit comfortably in a bath soaking.
Best of luck, and don't feel shy to ask questions. Some one here, you can be sure, has been there, done that, and has worn the T-shirt thin.
Em

shimmy wrote:Hi, I've had my first anal fissure for a few weeks so I'm new to this. I've read that I'm supposed to do Sitz Baths, so I've been doing them for 18 minutes, but I thought this was supposed to sooth. Most of the time it feels good, but sometimes I'm still itchy while doing it. And everytime I'm extremely itchy when I get up. Is it normal to be real itchy when finished? Thank You

Hi, yes I bought a Sitz Bath that fits properly on my toilet. Also, whenever i poop I dab with baby wipes until completely clean, so it's not poop irritating it.
When you say you did not react that well to Sitz Baths, what did it do to you? Also, I haven't tied Vaseline yet. I just tried an anti itching cream and also Preparation H. Did you did you find that Vaseline was better?

Hi again.
Preparation H is for hemmys, and don't think they are good for fissures.
Vaseline is the only thing that has given me some relief, but just on the outside.
I tried baby wipes, and they are not good for me. I got ones with no alcohol in them, but even so, they hurt my skin...just me.
It is only recently that I have realised that the poop left behind was was was irritating me, so I am not rough with my bum, but do try to get everything out, as easily as I can. Still, I am in a lot of pain most of the time
I have tried so many creams, from Dr Wheatgrass on down/up, and the only one that helps me is Vaseline. Go figure...I certainly can't. But, I think if you go to the Mayo site, they mention Vaseline there.
The Sitz baths just seem to make everything ache/hurt down there, so, I only use it in extreme times when I think I have to try all solutions. Then I usually resort, as well, to Analpram which I was prescribed, using an applicator to get some inside. CRSs definitely recommend Sitz Baths, to encourage blood to the region and help in healing with that. Sorry I'm not much use, but that is my situation.
Em