Perianal Crohn’s disease (PCD) is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation around the anus. It can cause skin tags, fissures, abscesses, and perianal fistulas.
Treatment of PCD may require a combination of antibiotics, abscess drainage, and sometimes surgery.
This article describes the symptoms of PCD and its treatment, including dietary suggestions and tips for managing the condition.
According to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation (CCF), twenty five% 80% of people with Crohn’s disease develop PCD.
Approximately 26% of patients with Crohn’s disease develop perianal fistulas. A perianal fistula is a condition in which a connecting canal, or opening, forms in the anal area. In about 5% of people, this will be their only symptom of PCD.
Symptoms of PCD can include:
People with PCD are also more likely to experience other symptoms and complications of Crohn’s disease, including:
Treatment for PCD focuses on treating symptoms such as fistulas and abscesses and may include a combination of the following:
Antibiotics
Antibiotics may help prevent complications from infection with PCD. Doctors choose antibiotics as the first-line treatment, but some people may need other treatments along with antibiotics.
according to Articles from 2015Metronidazole is the most studied antibiotic for the treatment of PCD and can lead to improvement within 6 to 8 weeks.
Although metronidazole successfully closes the fistula in about 50% of cases, it is not suitable for long-term use because it can cause side effects such as:
The recurrence rate of perianal fistulas 4 months after discontinuation of metronidazole is approximately 80%.
Doctors may use a combination of metronidazole and ciprofloxacin, which some studies have shown improves severe fistulas in 60% of cases and closes them in 20% of cases. However, the effects did not persist even after stopping the drug.
Long-term use of ciprofloxacin may cause the following symptoms:
abscess
Draining the abscess is an important first step in PCD treatment and helps prevent infections, including sepsis.
Your doctor may use a seton, a thin rubber drain placed in the fistula to keep it open and prevent further abscess formation.
Once treatment is started to manage Crohn’s disease, doctors usually remove the seton.
TNF inhibitor
by CCFTNF inhibitors may be the best option to reduce perianal drainage and improve fistula healing.
In trials, the TNF inhibitors adalimumab and certolizumab were effective in healing fistulas, and treatment with infliximab had a 36% success rate in closing fistulas. Vedolizumab and ustekinumab may also be effective.
surgery
If PCD is severe or has complications, a colostomy or ileostomy may be necessary.
Colostomy and ileostomy both move part of the intestine into an opening in the abdominal wall, which medical professionals call a stoma. Your doctor will attach a bag to your stoma to collect your waste.
Click here to learn more about Crohn’s disease surgery.
People with PCD need a nutritious diet because nutrient deficiencies can be a common problem due to inflammation that affects how the body absorbs nutrients.
People with PCD should follow a diet that includes: It contains:
The unpleasant symptoms of PCD can also affect your eating habits. Here are some tips to manage this:
- Eat small meals every 3-4 hours
- Stay well hydrated by drinking small amounts of water regularly throughout the day
- Eat whole grains and a variety of fruits and vegetables when you are not experiencing a flare-up
- Avoid caffeine, high-fiber foods, raw fruits and vegetables, or vegetables that produce gas if you have symptoms such as diarrhea or loss of bowel control
Click here to learn more about nutritional deficiencies caused by Crohn’s disease.
trigger foods
by Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, there is no specific diet that causes or cures any type of Crohn’s disease. However, certain foods can cause a flare-up of symptoms, including:
You may find it helpful to keep a food diary to keep track of which foods trigger your symptoms. This also helps nutritionists and dieticians create meal plans with people.
Individuals can consult a nutritionist about taking prebiotics, probiotics, or any other supplements they may need.
Learn more about the best foods for Crohn’s disease flare-ups.
Following your doctor’s advice, attending regular check-ups, and taking medications as prescribed by your doctor can help you manage PCD.
of CCF We also offer the following tips for managing Crohn’s disease flare-ups:
- Track your symptoms, potential triggers, and when they’re most likely to occur.
- Regular exercise.
- Avoid smoking as it may worsen symptoms.
- Manage stress using techniques such as breathing exercises, yoga, and cognitive behavioral therapy.
- Use a damp towel instead of toilet paper to reduce irritation to the anal area.
- Shower using a hand shower or use a perianal cleansing product such as Balneol.
- Apply a protective ointment to the skin around the anus, such as Vitamin A&D ointment or Desitin, before bed.
- Soak in warm salt water to relieve pain and tenderness in your anus.
- When traveling or going out, plan your itinerary and know where the nearest restroom is.
- To ease anxiety, carry an emergency kit with items like toilet paper, extra underwear, and baby wipes.
- Carry your CCF “I Can’t Wait” card with you. This allows you to use the nearest available toilet if a public toilet is not available.
- If you need time off for medical reasons, talk to your employer about family and medical leave laws.
- Find a local or online support group that can provide you with a network of people going through similar experiences.
Learn more about support groups for people with Crohn’s disease.
Complications of PCD can include infections such as cellulitis, a bacterial infection of the skin. Some people have recurrent abscesses.
A serious complication of perianal abscess is bacterial sepsis. This is a life-threatening condition and requires immediate medical attention. Treatment of bacterial sepsis may include intravenous antibiotics.
Treatment (and sometimes surgery) for PCD can help prevent and manage complications.
Patients with perianal Crohn’s disease have inflammation around the anus, which can lead to perianal fistulas, abscesses, fissures, and skin tags.
You may experience pain and itching around the anus, as well as discharge of pus and loss of control over your bowel movements.
Certain medications and sometimes surgery can also help treat PCD and prevent complications. Dietary and lifestyle changes may also help manage symptoms.
Hello! I wanted to drop by and say that I really enjoyed this blog post. Your writing is always so clear and concise, and you have a talent for making complex topics easy to understand. Thank you for sharing your insights with us. I’m looking forward to your next post!
Greetings! I found this blog post to be incredibly informative and well-written. Your ability to break down complex topics into easy-to-understand language is truly a gift. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. I’m excited to read more of your posts in the future!
Hello! I just wanted to say how much I appreciated this blog post. Your writing is always so engaging and informative. It’s clear that you have a deep understanding of the subject matter. Thank you for sharing your expertise with us. Looking forward to your next post!
“Fantastic read! Your in-depth analysis and thoughtful insights were very helpful. I appreciate the time and effort you put into researching and writing this post. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise with us. Looking forward to reading more of your content.
Hi! I found this blog post to be incredibly insightful and well-written. Your ability to break down complex topics into easy-to-understand language is truly a gift. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. I’m excited to read more of your posts in the future!
Greetings! I found this blog post to be incredibly informative and well-written. Your ability to break down complex topics into easy-to-understand language is truly a gift. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. I’m excited to read more of your posts in the future!
Greetings! I found this blog post to be incredibly informative and well-written. Your ability to break down complex topics into easy-to-understand language is truly a gift. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. I’m excited to read more of your posts in the future!
Excellent post! Your insights on this topic are very valuable and have given me a new perspective. I appreciate the detailed information and thoughtful analysis you provided. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise with us. Looking forward to more of your posts.
Hello! I just wanted to say how much I appreciated this blog post. Your writing is always so engaging and informative. It’s clear that you have a deep understanding of the subject matter. Thank you for sharing your expertise with us. Looking forward to your next post!
Hi! I just finished reading your blog post, and I must say, it was excellent. Your ability to explain complicated concepts in a simple and engaging way is truly remarkable. Thank you for providing such valuable content. I can’t wait to read more from you in the future.
Greetings! I found this blog post to be incredibly informative and well-written. Your ability to break down complex topics into easy-to-understand language is truly a gift. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. I’m excited to read more of your posts in the future!
“Fantastic read! Your in-depth analysis and thoughtful insights were very helpful. I appreciate the time and effort you put into researching and writing this post. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise with us. Looking forward to reading more of your content.
The post resonated with me on many levels. Thank you for writing it!
The effort you’ve put into this post is evident and much appreciated. It’s clear you care deeply about The work.
Reading The Writing is like finding an oasis in a desert of information. Refreshing and revitalizing.
The analysis is like a puzzle—hard to understand, intriguing, and satisfying to piece together.
The writing style is like a signature scent—distinct, memorable, and always pleasant.
Most comprehensive article on this topic. I guess internet rabbit holes do pay off.
I learned a lot, and now I’m curious about what else you could teach me. The intelligence is as captivating as The prose.
This was an amazing read! Your insights on this topic are very valuable and have given me a lot to think about. I appreciate the time and effort you put into researching and writing this post. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.
Excellent post! Your insights on this topic are very valuable and have given me a new perspective. I appreciate the detailed information and thoughtful analysis you provided. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise with us. Looking forward to more of your posts.
Greetings! I found this blog post to be incredibly informative and well-written. Your ability to break down complex topics into easy-to-understand language is truly a gift. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. I’m excited to read more of your posts in the future!
Thank you for this wonderful post! I found it very informative and engaging. Your thorough research and clear writing style made it easy to understand. I appreciate the time and effort you put into creating this valuable content. Keep up the excellent work.
“Fantastic read! Your in-depth analysis and thoughtful insights were very helpful. I appreciate the time and effort you put into researching and writing this post. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise with us. Looking forward to reading more of your content.
Hi! I just finished reading your blog post, and I must say, it was excellent. Your ability to explain complicated concepts in a simple and engaging way is truly remarkable. Thank you for providing such valuable content. I can’t wait to read more from you in the future.
Hey! I stumbled upon your blog and this post really stood out to me. The way you explained the topic was clear and concise, making it accessible to readers of all backgrounds. Thank you for breaking it down in such an understandable way. Can’t wait to read more from you.
Remember, the key with flirtatious comments is to keep them light-hearted, respectful, and ensure they’re taken in the spirit of fun and admiration.
This post has been incredibly helpful to me. The guidance is something I’m truly grateful for.
Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks!
Stumbling upon The article was a highlight of my day. It was just what I needed to read.
The piece was both informative and thought-provoking. Thanks for the great work!
Unique perspective? Check. Making me rethink my life choices? Double-check.
Explaining things in an understandable way is a skill, and you’ve mastered it. Thanks for clearing things up for me.
This was a great read—thought-provoking and informative. Thank you!
The post has been incredibly helpful. Thank you for the guidance!
The argumentation was compelling and well-structured. I found myself nodding along as I read.
Reading The Writing is like finding the perfect song that I can’t stop listening to. Play it again?
Distilling hard to understand concepts into readable content, or what I like to call, a miracle.