Get Plenty of Fiber
If you’re constipated, passing large, hard, or dry stools can cause an anal fissure. Getting plenty of fiber in your diet – especially from fruits and vegetables – can help prevent constipation, though.
Get 20 to 35 grams of fiber per day. Foods that are good sources include:
Wheat bran
Oat bran
Whole grains, including brown rice, oatmeal, popcorn, and whole-grain pastas, cereals, and breads
Peas and beans
Seeds and nuts
Citrus fruits
Prunes and prune juice
Stay Hydrated
That can help you prevent constipation. Drinking plenty of liquids adds fluid to your system, which can make stools softer and easier to pass. Be sure to drink more when the weather gets warmer or as you become more physically active.
Not all drinks are good choices for staying hydrated. Too much alcohol can dehydrate you. Also, although a caffeinated drink may help you go to the bathroom, too much caffeine can dehydrate you as well.
When using the bathroom, give yourself enough time to pass bowel movements comfortably. But don’t sit on the toilet too long.
Don’t strain while passing stools.
Keep the anal area dry.
Gently clean yourself after each bowel movement.
Use soft, dye-free, and scent-free toilet paper or wipes.
Get treatment for ongoing diarrhea.
If you have other conditions that contribute to anal fissures – like Crohn’s disease or IBS, for examples – stay on top of your treatment.