What is a low anal fistula? Know the clinical manifestations early

Anal fistula is a very common anorectal disease. There are high anal fistula and low anal fistula. Patients with low anal fistula will experience symptoms of pain, itching, pus discharge, and nodules. They need good care and timely treatment. Pay attention to cleaning after defecation and receive timely surgical treatment.

1. Clinical manifestations

① Nodules or scars: Due to repeated stimulation of the fistula wall and fistula opening, fibrous tissue proliferates and tough connective tissue is formed on the wall and fistula opening. It is often manifested as discoloration of the skin around the fistula, epidermal shedding, depression and deformation, and cord-like nodules leading to the anus.

②Itching: The skin of the anus often feels itchy due to irritation from pus and other discharges.

③ Pain: When the fistula is unobstructed and there is no inflammation, there is generally no pain, only a slight swelling in the anus, which may worsen when walking. If the external opening is closed, pus accumulates in the fistula, or feces enters the fistula, the pain will worsen or the pain will worsen during defecation. In internal blind fistula, there is often a burning discomfort in the lower rectum and anus, and the pain worsens during defecation.

④Pus discharge: pus discharge is the main symptom. Generally speaking, newly formed fistulas discharge more pus, which is thick, yellow and smelly. Fistulas that have been in existence for a long time will discharge relatively less pus, or it may come and go and be as thin as water. If the amount of pus increases, it means that a new fistula has been formed. The fistula is sometimes temporarily blocked and pus is not discharged, resulting in local swelling and pain and increased body temperature. Later, the blocked fistula will rupture and pus will be discharged again. Gas or feces may also be discharged from the fistula.

2. How to care

1. Diet: The patient should first eat nutritious liquid food, and then eat easily digestible, non-spicy semi-liquid or normal food according to the wound and stool conditions. Some patients do not eat for several days for fear of pain in the wound during defecation, which leads to hypoglycemia.

2. The patient should clean his mouth promptly after defecation, take a sitz bath with 1:2000 potassium permanganate solution, and then change the dressing promptly. When changing the dressing, you should be careful to operate gently and try to reduce the pain of the wound during the dressing change.

3. Pay attention to whether the wound is bleeding. If the wound is bleeding, you should notify your doctor and take measures to stop the bleeding.

4. Postoperative urinary retention. This phenomenon is more common in male patients who are mentally nervous. Therefore, patients should relax and drink as much water as possible after leaving the operating room. This method can prevent the occurrence of urinary retention.

5. Follow the doctor's instructions promptly and carefully after surgery, pay attention to the reaction after taking the medicine, keep a happy mood, and actively cooperate with the treatment during the recovery period.