Perianal Crohn’s disease is a type of Crohn’s disease that causes inflammation around your anus. It can lead to pain, swelling, bleeding, and incontinence. It can occur with any type of Crohn’s disease and impacts around 25 percent of people who have Crohn’s. It can also occur on its own.

Just like other types of Crohn’s disease, perianal Crohn’s disease is chronic, and there is no cure. But treatment can help you manage your symptoms.

Read on to learn more about perianal Crohn’s disease.

Just like other types of Crohn’s disease, perianal Crohn’s diseasecauses digestive symptoms. In perianal Crohn’s disease, these symptoms are located around the anus and may include:

Perianal Crohn’s disease can lead to more symptoms over time. Treatment can help manage perianal Crohn’s and reduce the chances of these symptoms.

Advanced symptoms of perianal Crohn’s may include:

Contacting a doctor and getting a diagnosis is the first step toward getting treatment. At your first appointment, you’ll start by discussing your medical history, your family medical history, and your symptoms. You’re likely to be asked about:

If you already have a Crohn’s diagnosis, your doctor will likely want to look at the imaging and other tests you had during that diagnosis. The doctor will then want to perform a physical examination. They’ll check the anal area for inflammation, ulcers, skin tags, and signs of fistulas or fissures. The presence of these physical symptoms along with your reported symptoms might confirm a perianal Crohn’s diagnosis. You might also have imaging tests of your digestive tract, such as an endoscopy or a colonoscopy.

The most promising perianal Crohn’s disease treatment focuses on reducing and managing your symptoms. It requires a multidisciplinary team approach. The exact treatments will depend on how severe your symptoms are, your overall physical health, and your doctor’s recommendations.

Your doctor may recommend any of the following treatments:

There is no cure for perianal Crohn’s disease. But treatment can help you manage the condition and eliminate or reduce your symptoms. Treatment can also help you avoid fistulas and other major complications. Many people with perianal Crohn’s can continue living their daily lives with only minor changes.

Last medically reviewed on November 29, 2021

Crohn’s disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes problems in the digestive tract and other areas of the body.

Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease. Symptoms vary and can change over time. Learn more about Crohn’s treatments and statistics.

Crohn’s disease can be debilitating. We've summarized what a Crohn's flare feels with a list of symptoms and people's real experiences.

Need tips on calming an emergency Crohn’s flare-up? From medications to preventive safety measures, we’ve got you covered.

Certain Crohn's disease symptoms and complications, including nutrient deficiencies and surgery, can impact fertility and libido.

IVIG is used to treat a wide range of medical conditions, and its use in treating Crohn’s disease is growing. Here's what you need to know.

Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis are the two most common types of IBD, and they share many symptoms. But cobblestone ulcers are a symptom of only one.

For most people, capsule endoscopy is a noninvasive, safe, and simple procedure. It can be very helpful in the diagnosis and ongoing treatment of…

Knowing if your Crohn’s disease is advancing or progressing is an important step in getting the right treatment. We’ll help point you in the right…

Crohn's disease symptoms usually include gastrointestinal concerns — but for many people with Crohn’s, symptoms may also show up on their skin.