Depending on your perianal problem and the treatment options you and your healthcare provider have selected, your treatment may last up to 6 weeks. The time it takes to heal will be different for everyone. If you have not healed in 6 weeks, your healthcare provider may change treatments. If your symptoms have still not improved after another 6 weeks, your healthcare provider may suggest a referral to a specialist for surgery.
Watching your symptoms is important. Call your healthcare provider or Health Link at 811 if you have any concerns, like:
- more bleeding than you expect to see (you may notice blood in the toilet or on toilet paper after a bowel movement or after wiping)
- signs of infection, like a fever or feeling generally unwell
- smelly discharge
- bowel movements that are often liquid
Go to the emergency department or urgent care or call 911 if:
- your bleeding is severe
- your bleeding is flowing or continuous
- your perianal pain is severe
- you feel light-headed, especially with bleeding
Talk to your healthcare team any time you:
- have questions or concerns
- notice your symptoms getting worse
- have problems with your medicine
- have been waiting longer than expected for test results or to hear about an appointment
Perianal Disease Pathway
Download or print the
full patient pathway (PDF) and
summary (one-page PDF) to learn more about how to prevent, manage, and treat perianal problems.
Patient Pathway
Summary