The following are the list of symptoms you should observe for anal fistula:

• ● Painful bowel movements
• ● Constipation
• ● Chronic pain during sitting, walking and coughing
• ● Smelly discharge from he anus
• ● Losing control over bowel movements
• ● High temperature during an abscess
• ● Skin irritation around the anus
• ● Blood and pus discharge

The causes of an anal abscess are:

• ● Anal fissure or a tear that gets infected
• ● Sexually transmitted infections
• ● Blocked glands of the anus.

You must immediately visit your doctor if you observe the symptoms mentioned above and begin treatment for anal abscess and anal fistula. Your doctor would perform the following examinations to confirm the diagnosis before suggesting treatment modalities:

• ● Clinical evaluation. Your doctor would perform a rectal and physical assessment to confirm the presence of an abscess or a fistula.
• ● Ultrasound
• ● Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan.
• ● Computerised Tomography (CT) scan.
• ● Colonoscopy.
• ● Proctoscope – An instrument that is much like the telescope but with an addition of light at the far end to help better look into your anus.

Your doctor would perform these tests to rule out other disease conditions such as inflammatory bowel diseases, rectal cancer, sexually transmitted disease and diverticular diseases.

• ● As in most cases, your doctor would suggest proceeding for surgery to prevent the eruption or drainage of the abscess.
• ● Superficial abscesses can be drained by the doctor using a local anesthetic, abscesses that present deeper within the anus would require hospitalization.
• ● Post-surgery, your doctor would prescribe you pain relievers and antibiotics in some cases depending on the individual’s health.
• ● Fistulas could take months or years to occur but develop four to six weeks after the draining of an abscess. Therefore, surgery for the fistula or an abscess is different and is conducted separately.
• ● Post-surgery, you would feel only mild discomfort and pain, quickly relieved with the appropriate pain killers’ intake.
• ● The recovery from this surgery is also quick, and you can return to your daily activities in a short period.

Post diagnosis, treatment, and perianal abscess surgery in Bangalore at Smiles Gastroenterology, you would find a lot of relief from the abscess and fistula’s prevalent symptoms. The doctor would prescribe painkillers and antibiotics to relieve the pain and aid in increased wound healing.

While the surgery attempts to resolve the pain and discomfort of an anal abscess or an anal fistula, complications and risks that arise after surgery include:

• ● Infection. It is taken care of by the course of antibiotics.
• ● The occurrence of anal fissures. It may occur in general or if the fistula has not healed correctly.
• ● Recurrence of the abscess
• ● Scarring
• ● Bowel incontinence. Although rare, involuntary defecation is a risk post-surgery

Therefore, it is advised to regularly check-up with your surgeon and your doctor post-surgery to discuss your conditions and continue treatment.

If a Perianal Abscess is left untreated, the following complications may arise:

• ● Increased swelling in the area
• ● Anal fistula
• ● Increased pain while passing stools
• ● Bleeding from the anus
• ● Difficulty in walking or sitting
• ● Stretched skin
• ● Increased risk of infections
• ● High fever and chills

Avoid the following food items if you suffer from a Perianal Abscess:

• ● Foods that contain a high amount of salt
• ● Foods that contain a high amount of sugar
• ● Processed foods
• ● Coffee, tea, or other caffeinated drinks
• ● Excessive alcohol
• ● Processed meats

The different ways to prevent the recurrence of a Perianal Abscess are:

• ● Limit your intake of sodium
• ● Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes
• ● Exercise regularly
• ● Avoid cleaning the area with toilet paper
• ● Take a sitz bath in warm water

If a Perianal Abscess burst on its own, the pus may come out and drain without any treatment. You may or may not feel pain, but it is important to visit a doctor after the abscess bursts to prevent infection.

After Drainage, the Perianal Abscess may take one to two weeks to heal completely. To ensure proper and faster healing, clean the area with warm water and use a clean cloth instead of toilet paper to wipe the anal region.