Hi, I don't think mouthwash causes anal fissures. I know some contain sodium lauryl sulfate which can really irritate the skin (I know because I'm allergic to it) but mouthwash is used nowhere near that particular part of the body. If you were allergic to that ingredient you would get a blister like rash in or around your mouth. If you do then you'll have to check all your products and eliminate it. I bet most people don't know that toothpaste has sls, it's what makes it foam and basically it's soap. If you ever suffer from a lot of mouth sore eliminate toothpaste with this ingredient and the sores will go away. As far as consuming alcohol goes one glass of wine would not harm a fissure but if you have an underlying problem like IBS the alcohol may trigger a flare that could cause diarhhea or constipation and that would affect one. Basically we're all trying to figure out why we got this painful condition and sometimes the truth is we did nothing wrong it just happened.
Suzy

Thanks Suzy. So you don't think alcohol stings / irritates the fissure upon exit then?
What about very mild spices? I would LOVE to eat a curry. In fact I have done but always had a worse spasms the following day.
I'm starting to think it's all in my head!!

No, it doesn't come out the same way it goes in it gets digested. As far as spices or foods that don't digest like corn, nuts, it's really trial and error. I followed a rigid high fiber diet and found out for me too much fiber is just as bad. I started adding foods to my diet a little at a time and found that I can eat so much more than I thought. For me too much protein caused constipation so I just watch my portion. I also eat small meals and I'm a slow eater. I enjoy a glass of wine but only one and I don't drink soda or use artificial sweeteners, they can do a number on your bladder. I think stress affects the fissure more than anything. It stands to reason if you're apprehensive of each time you have a BM you're muscles are going to tense. I wish I had a magic cure to keep the muscle relaxed but I don't. I'm finally going back to the CRS next month to discuss the advancement flap. Good luck, Suzy

Never quite understood why diarhhea causes fissures. Anyone care to explain?

JHH, I have read that a fissure begins its life as an ulcer. So I'm guessing (and this is a guess) that diarrhea causes or irritates the ulcer until it becomes so chronic that you end up with a fissure.
But perhaps someone who actually know could comment... :)

CrackinUp for people that are chronic fissure sufferers it doesn't end with surgery, they still have the problem, the old fissure will heal but then is new fissures that form on an off.
As for the Diarrhea, JHH if you develop chronic diarrhea is not like just a bout of diarrhea due to something you eat or sickness, the bile that you excrete from the diarrhea will actually can burn a hole in your stomach is call ulcer and when you have constant diarrhea it will burn your anal canal also.
I developed diarrhea after my gallbladder was removed and I can no longer control the bile that is now excreted by the liver.
In some people is the opposite, no enough bile, but for me is too much bile, that is why I take Qestran to control the bile in the stomach.
And as for spicy food yes you can feel the spices in your anal canal also if you eat too much, if you have a fissure well you can imagine if you put hot sauce on an open wound.
I also believe that fissures are like ulcers or like mouth sores

mouthwash is bad for you as it kills the good bacteria as well
the best way to clean the mouth is to use sea salt gargle then chew on some fresh mint or peppermint oil
believe it or not but if you have thrush it causes bottom problems like piles and AF's and ibs...the mouth connects to the anus.
The reason I ask is, shortly after getting my fissure and surfing the net for answers, I found a man who swears he frequently suffered with fissures until he stopped using his dental mouthwash.
Sceptical of this but desperate to try anything I actually stopped using mine.... until last night. This morning I had pain immediately after the BM and went into spasm around an hour afterwards - this hasn't happened to me in around 2 weeks. I immediately had to use Nitro for the pain and I suspect it'll return in a couple of hours.
Now I think back, this issue started while I was on holiday and I was using mouthwash more than normal to freshen up between meals etc. This now has really got me thinking. I might even not brush my teeth tonight and see what happens tomorrow!!
Hopefully this hasn't set me back and it's just an off day. I could cry... was doing so well [/quote]