Fistula or what????

[patriotsooner]

My son is 16 and was diagnosed with crohns disease when he was 12 years old. He has perianal crohns and has been to the doctor numerous times to have colonoscopy's done to clear up strictures
in his anal area. He's been doing fine for about a year and he now has what I believe is a Fissure on the outside of his anal area close to his scrotum. This looks like a wound of some type?? Is this a fissure and what can be done to fix it???? Can this lead to other problem's if it goe's into his testical's???

[kimbacat]

I have Crohn's disease and perianal disease, too.  I've had fissures, fistulas and abscesses.  a fissure looks like a bad paper cut and mine usually bleed easily.  the important thing is to keep the area clean and avoid infections.  is there any drainage, tender areas (other than the irritation of the fissure), does he feel any pressure or unusual lump?  those would indicate either an abscess or a fistula.  if he has any type of drainage or lump, go to the doc right away.  if you are unsure, a quick trip to the doc could ease your mind.  I liken having an abscess to sitting on a golf ball.  my fissures usually heal on thier own, but treating the CD is the best way to treat perianal disease.  is he on immunomodulators (Imuran, 6mp or methotrexate)?  

best of luck to him

[Giblett]

God, I can feel your concern. I am battling a fistula and I can imagine what your son is going through.  Is he seeing a colo-rectal specialist? If not, he needs to be. Keep us posted on his progress. God bless!

[arlmon]

My daughter, who is now 26 had an anal fissure about 2-1/2 years ago. It was really painful for her. She had the muscle cut (in the doctor's office), with local freezing (ouch). It was pretty painful after the procedure, but eventually it healed, and she felt much better. She also used nitroglycerine ointment and this soothed the area. Also the doctor told her to take Metamucil everyday. I agree that the best doctor for this is a colorectal specialist.