I am coming from Northern Maine, so have to do that route. But, am a little nervous, nonetheless.
By the way, in case you don't see it, here is a link to some up to date comments on Chronic Anal Fissures:
http://www.wjgnet.com/2150-5349/full/v2/i2/9.htm

Hi em,
nothing to do with fissures (this will be the only time today that I am NOT obsessed with them...sigh), but I read that you had roseacea, I had it too, just on one cheek, looked like pimples. The prescription cream I had been using, for 13 years, never worked. Then I tried tea tree oil on my face at night, and it worked! Can't remember how long it took to work, but not long if I recall. Told my doctor, he said it won't last. Very skeptical of natural healing. But it has been a couple of years now! But then again, my GP is the same guy who made me come back every 2 weeks for 8 weeks with my fissure to tell me "give it another 2 weeks, here is a different coritsone cream" Yeah, 5 months later, still in agony. Last trip to him, he said, yes, you should see a surgeon. Duh, you sent in the requisition 2 months ago, I still have a month to wait till I can see the CRS. Anyway, try the tea tree oil, it smell a bit, but really worked for me. Worked for my teen ager on his acne too! (but it did dry out his skin a bit, didn't for me) Anne

tea tree oil is supposed to be good for alot of things, but it smells really strong and i am a bit scared of trying it myself. what brand do you use?

Hi Jenny
I use one made by Nature's Bounty, but I think they are all 100% tea tree so it would all be the same. I did notice though, that the oil in The Body Shop (do you have that in the US?) was in a clear bottle and it must be in a dark bottle as the light makes it inaffective. My friend used a few drops in the shampoo she washed her kids hair with to prevent lice as they were in a school that routinely had it. Her kids never got it until she ran out and for a few weeks didn't use it....oops. I am used to the smell now, but perhaps not the most romantic thing to come to bed smelling like!

I am a little nervous about using Tea Tree Oil, as my skin is so darn sensitive already. Strange, but when I had the flu a few months ago, and was given a strong antibiotic which really knocked me back, it basically took away the rosy cheeks... I was a sick as a dog, but my cheeks looked great!
I have an auto immune disease (Behcet's) and had a terrible flare up afterwards, but my face was perfect. Go figure.
Still do not know if all my GI problems - constant pain in that region - are connected to the Behcet's diagnosis, and doctors are very reluctant to tie one to the other. Anyway, time will tell.

have you guys ever used the tea tree oil soap or body wash? i saw it in a health food store the other day.