An anal fissure is a condition in which the thin and moist mucosal (tissue) lining of the anus may be disrupted by a small tear. It is commonly encountered in young infants (although individuals from any age group can be affected).

You can check for the following symptoms to see if you are suffering from anal fissures:
• Spasmodic pain (sometimes severe) and bleeding while passing motions which could even last for some hours later.
• Bright reddish staining on toilet paper after passing stools.
• The skin surrounding the anus shows a visible crack, along with a skin tag, or a small lump.

The various causes of an anal fissure include:
• Passage of hard or large stools
• Constipation or long-standing diarrhoea
• Bowel movements causing straining
• Childbirth
• Inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's disease
• Conditions such as syphilis, anal cancer, HIV, and tuberculosis
• Anal intercourse

The following factors can increase the risk of you developing an anal fissure:
• Age (mainly middle-aged adults and infants)
• Constipation
• Anal sex
• Crohn's disease
• Childbirth

The following can be done for the diagnosis:
• Medical history and physical examination (including anal examination) by the physician
• Anoscopy by the physician to visualize the rectum and anus.
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy
• Colonoscopy