What are the symptoms of an anal fistula?

What are the symptoms of an anal fistula?

An anal fistula is a small tract, or tunnel, which develops between the anal canal (the last part of your intestines) and the skin around your bottom.

Find out more about anal fistulas here.

Anal fistulas can cause some upsetting symptoms that can affect your quality of life. It’s very unlikely that an anal fistula will go away without treatment so if you think you have one you should see a doctor.

Common symptoms of an anal fistula include:

• Irritated skin around the anus (where poo comes from)
• A throbbing pain around your bottom. This may feel worse if you are moving or sitting or when you poo or cough
• Discharge coming out of the skin near your anus. This may smell and could be blood, pus, poo or a combination of these
• Seeing blood or pus when you poo
• In some cases you may have problems controlling your bowels

If you also have an anal abscess you may also experience:

• A fever
• Fatigue
• A general feeling of being unwell

Other symptoms

Anal fistulas can be common in people who have Crohn’s disease. If the fistula was caused as a result of inflammation in your intestines then you may also have symptoms such as:

• Tummy pain
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Feeling sick
• Unintended weight loss
• Loss of appetite