Rash and some bleeding in … someplace very uncomfortable

November 2, 2013 7:20 AM

It's a medical question (not a "Should I go to the doctor?" but more like what to do until then). Don't read if you think you're going to be grossed out and don't want to be, but …

So I had what I think were anal fissures from passing hard stool, and bleeding lasted about a week and a half, but I ate a little less, took fiber supplements, and it went away. Then after a couple days, I got this rash around tailbone area and down (I'm not sure if it's related or not). It's kind of reddish, it's hard to make out if there's any other symptoms than the reddishness and the itching. Maybe stings a little, there was some blood when I went in with toilet paper earlier. Also, the bleeding from the anal fissure is back. So question: I have a doctor's appointment on Wednesday, but until then, what to do? Keep taking fiber, eat a little less than usual, regular showers, okay. Should I/can I apply some vaseline? Carmex? Hemorrhoid cream? Tea Tree Oil? Cortisone? Nothing?

posted by anonymous to Health & Fitness (9 answers total)

You probably don't have an anal fissure... they are extraordinarily painful. It would feel like passing broken glass during bowel movements, and your post wouldn't be about a rash, it would be "OH GOD IT FEELS LIKE I HAVE BROKEN GLASS UP MY ASS." If you saw a little blood around the stool or on the toilet paper when you were wiping, it's more likely to be a hemorrhoid.

When you say tailbone area, you mean a few inches up from the anus, sort of at the top of the "butt crack"? This would be unrelated to straining, but it could be a pilonidal cyst. The Wiki pictures are a little scary but it's not a huge deal and relatively common.

The most important thing between now and your appointment is to keep the area clean and dry. A little A&D ointment or something similar would be fine for protecting the area if it feels sensitive. You should use soft toilet paper and pat, don't wipe, to avoid irritating anything further. Even better for cleaning yourself would be a bidet or a squirt bottle. Try to wear 100% cotton underwear and make sure to change to a fresh/dry pair if it gets sweaty.
posted by telegraph at 7:43 AM on November 2, 2013

OK, color me incorrect, there are mild fissures and you could easily have a little one. My only experience is with chronic anal fissures, and that's when you get the broken glass situation. The rest of my advice stands, I think.
posted by telegraph at 7:45 AM on November 2, 2013

Multiple Mefi answers here regarding hemorrhoids that might be helpful for most things butt related: drink plenty of water; eat oranges or tangerines at the same time each day to regulate timing of bowel movements so you can soak your bottom right afterwards at home. Wipies and Anusol can be helpful.
posted by Elsie at 8:06 AM on November 2, 2013

My mum recently had Intertrigo (different area), and your description made me think of it. Here's another link that also has treatment advice (mostly - keep skin clean and irritants away, try to keep the area dry and exposed to air) and images, so you can compare.
posted by miorita at 8:23 AM on November 2, 2013

Stay hydrated. It certainly can't hurt, and will help with any poop issues.
posted by Specklet at 8:39 AM on November 2, 2013

Sounds like a hemorrhoid. Use the hemorrhoid cream and a very gentle, fragrance free body wash to avoid irritating the area further.
posted by sweetkid at 10:43 AM on November 2, 2013

if it's very red and itchy, it could also be fungal, I had that in my bellybutton once. The good news is, washing with soap and applying antifungal cream worked very quickly.

But, until you get diagnosed, the best I can recommend is gentleness and hygiene. Wash with soap and water and rinse and dry well. Use wipes instead of toilet paper to minimize abrasion - wipes are really a lifesaver for ass-related issues.
posted by L'Estrange Fruit at 11:07 AM on November 2, 2013

I recommend Balneol as a cleanser and Calmoseptine to prevent the rash from getting worse. Both were recommended to me by a rectal surgeon from whom I sought a second opinion regarding my ulcerative colitis.

Also, to get enough fiber, he strongly recommended Konsyl. It's gross but it's really great. The orange flavor is less gross, and equally less great. So you really have to go with the original formula.

By the way, a dear friend with anal cancer was recommended all of the above as well.
posted by janey47 at 2:11 PM on November 2, 2013

Personally I've found triple antibiotic ointment (Neosporin) to be so effective in healing similar butthurts that I ended up not needing a doctor at all.

You want the kind with the consistency of petroleum jelly (Vaseline), not the white stuff with the consistency of hand lotion. Thoroughly wipe your anus, butt crack, and rash area with toilet paper soaked with plain water (not those moist towlettes marketed as buttwipes as the wipes usually have irritating cleansing agents and perfumes) every time you go to the bathroom, before bed, first thing in the morning, and after any vigorous farting sessions and then reapply a generous amount of Neosporin to the whole area. Work it up inside a bit.

Avoid overheating as sweat and heat rash will make it worse. Try not to scratch.
posted by Jacqueline at 2:55 PM on November 2, 2013