I had a fistula surgery 8 months ago which went well but now I have a small fissure again. My surgeon checked with a finger test and just advised me to eat a balanced diet and keep my stool soft. My question is - is it okay if I only clean the outside after passing stool and not put my finger inside to clean like doctors do during the anal exam? I'm worried that inserting a finger might cause infection in the fissure and lead to another fistula

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

Dr Dhankecha Dineshbhai

General Practitioner

MBBS
6+ Yrs

Consult Now

Post-fistula surgery fissure cleaning externally is sufficient.Resisting internal cleaning is okay;if symptoms worsen,consult your surgeon.

Dr. Dhankecha Suggests...

Consult a Colorectal Surgeon

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Answered 14/08/2025

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I'm dealing with what looks like grade 2 piles do I need surgery or will it go away on its own? Right now I'm taking Himalaya Pilex 2 tablets twice a day and using the ointment too. Is that enough treatment? How long until it heals? I've attached a photo of the swelling for reference.

conservative therapy is advised to the patient.

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I'm using lignocaine 2 jelly for my anal fissure or piles like the doctor recommended. I'm a bit worried and curious about any side effects. Could this cause any problems I should be aware of while using it?

Lignocaine 2% jelly is generally safe for short-term use to relieve pain from an anal fissure or piles. However, overuse or prolonged application may cause skin irritation, numbness, or allergic reactions in some people. If you experience any unusual symptoms, it's best to consult your doctor.

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my friend has an anal fistula and is really worried about treatment options is surgery the only way to fix this or are there other medical treatments that could help first

Anal fistulas usually need surgical correction like fistulotomy, though some early-stage cases may respond to fibrin glue or laser ablation.

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