Anal Fissure and Fistula - Best way to clean after bowel movement?
Question posted by suikojay on 23 Sep 2014
Last updated on 18 October 2016 by mlnielsen
Hi, after I have a bowel movement, what is the best thing to use to clean yourself? Wet toilet paper? I heard baby wipes was bad. Also, I was thinking about using a 100% Aloe Vera gel in and around the anal fissure, but doesn't the area in and around the fissure need to be clean first? If so, how should I clean it (I can't use soap, right?)? And how often should I apply the Aloe Vera?
Thanks!
Some background info: I've had what I believe to be an anal fissure for about 1-2 months now, and it generally produces small amounts of blood that are visible when I wipe myself. There's only small pain when the stool exits (even if the stool is soft), but quickly subsides and I don't feel it anymore until my next bowel movement when the stool exits. I was previously washing my anal area with soap after every bowel movement (for like my whole life of 30 years), but will stop that practice starting today, since I think it has dried it out.
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Answers
ML
mlnielsen
18 Oct 2016
Diluted white vinegar for cleaning. Coconut oil before you go and after you clean. No soap around bum hole. A bidet with epsom salt would be best. Proper sitting positioning when you sit and go poop. Standing would be best but you need to be outside for that? Try bringing knees together slightly when going. Hands gently resting on your thighs supporting your upper body. Strong stomach. Chest out. Shouldn't even have to push. Salad a day. Lots of almonds and LOTS of alkaline food and water.
Votes: +2
DZ
DzooBaby
23 Sep 2014
Who told you baby wipes were bad? You can use adult flushable wipes or baby wipes if they are alcohol free for cleaning stool after your BM. Another good thing is a sitz bath after bowel movements and several times a day. You can buy a device that fits over your toilet that has a bag of water that runs into a little bowl you place over the toilet but really just getting into the tub and filling a few inches of water and allow clean water to run in and circulate around the area for 10 minutes a time or so works just fine and is less of a pain to deal with. Then you just pat dry with a clean towel after the bath.Another good cleanser for after bowel movements is a spray bottle filled with water and a small amount of baking soda dissolved in. The baking soda neutralizes acid from stool and urine so it works quite well to spray the area, gently wipe away any excess and debris with a clean cloth or alcohol free wipe then pat dry. I would ask your doc about the aloe vera gel. They do make "wound gel" that the Dr can prescribe for you that is used specifically for open wounds that helps keep the tissues moist so they dont dry out. That might be a better option than aloe vera gel. Soap is very drying so soap is not good to use often in that area but I dont see a problem with flushable wipes (found in the toilet paper isle at the store usually) I have worked for a Dr who does hemorrhoid surgeries and that it what he recommends after surgery is to use baby wipes after bowel movements and sitz baths several times per day and treating a fissure is much like treating a hemorrhoid as far as follow up care.
