Recommending AnuSol for anorectal conditions
Andrew is in his early 30’s and is in discomfort. You ask him to describe his symptoms. He says he has been feeling a sharp pain when passing stools for the past couple of days, and has a burning pain that lasts for a couple of hours after he has been to the toilet. He has noticed there is some bright red blood on the toilet paper afterwards too. He confirms that he doesn’t have any itching around the anus. He isn’t taking any regular medicines; however, he says that he does get constipated sometimes.
AFTER CONSIDERING HIS SYMPTOMS, YOU SUSPECT HE HAS AN ANAL FISSURE.
What would you recommend to Andrew?
NOT QUITE
Recommending an appropriate product such as AnuSol can help relieve Andrew’s symptoms and ease his discomfort. Providing self-care advice will also be helpful. At this stage, there is no indication of any red flag symptoms. However, Andrew should be advised to see his GP or contact NHS 111 if his symptoms get worse, or if there is no improvement after 7 days.4
CORRECT
Recommending an appropriate product such as AnuSol can help relieve Andrew’s symptoms and ease his discomfort. Providing self-care advice will also be helpful. Andrew should be advised to see his GP or contact NHS 111 if his symptoms get worse, or if there is no improvement after 7 days.4
NOT QUITE
While an anal fissure may heal on its own,4 if Andrew is experiencing a lot of discomfort, recommending an appropriate product and providing self-care advice can help relieve his symptoms.
Self-care advice for Andrew4
TAKE PARACETAMOL OR IBUPROFEN TO HELP WITH PAIN
DRINK LOTS OF FLUIDS AND EAT PLENTY OF FIBRE TO KEEP STOOLS SOFT
HAVE A WARM, SHALLOW BATH AFTER GOING TO THE TOILET TO HELP EASE THE PAIN
KEEP THE AREA AROUND HIS ANUS CLEAN AND DRY
DO NOT IGNORE THE URGE TO PASS STOOLS