Anal Fistula
Symptoms
Source: NHS
In this topic (4)
Symptoms of an anal fistula
Symptoms of an anal fistula can include:
- skin irritation around the anus
- a constant, throbbing pain that may be worse when you sit down, move around, have a bowel movement or cough
- smelly discharge from near your anus passing pus or blood when you poo
- swelling and redness around your anus and a high temperature (fever), if you also have an abscess
- difficulty controlling bowel movements (bowel incontinence) in some cases
The end of the fistula might be visible as a hole in the skin near your anus, although this may be difficult for you to see yourself.
When to get medical advice
See your GP if you have persistent symptoms of an anal fistula. They will ask about your symptoms and whether you have any bowel conditions.
They may also ask to examine your anus and gently insert a finger inside it (rectal examination) to check for signs of a fistula.
If your GP thinks you might have a fistula, they can refer you to a specialist called a colorectal surgeon for further tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the most suitable treatment.These may include:
- a further physical andrectal examination
- a proctoscopy where a special telescope with a light on the end is used to look inside your anus
- an ultrasound scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, or computerised tomography (CT) scan
Articles for Anal Fistula
Causes
In general, an anal fistula develops following an anal abscess. This occurs when an abscess is not medicated in time, or when the drainage was not thorough enough.
Introduction
An anal fistula can be described as a narrow tunnel with its internal opening in the anal canal and its external opening in the skin near the anus. Fistulaes are usually infections near the anus caused by the accumulation of pus.
Symptoms
Symptoms of an anal fistula include reddened skin around the anus, pain when the patient sits, moves, has a bowel movement or coughs, pus or bloody discharge during defecation, etc.
Treatment
An anal fistula is a condition which is almost always resolved by a surgeon. It is only when the fistula involves a single channel that its treatment is simple.
