Stools - Blood In
Definition
- Blood-colored material mixed in the stool, on the surface or passed alone
- Blood in the stools is mostly bright red
- Blood from bleeding in the stomach comes out tar-black
Causes
- Anal Fissure. If no diarrhea, most of these children have a small tear in the anus. This is called an anal fissure. Anal fissures usually are caused by passage of a large or hard stool. This is the cause in 90% of children with blood in the stools.
- Strep Skin Infection. A Strep skin infection around the anus can also cause blood-streaked stools.
- Bacterial Diarrhea. If also has bloody diarrhea, a gut bacterial infection may be the cause. Examples are Shigella, Salmonella, E.Coli 0157 or Campylobacter.
- Red, but not Blood. The things listed below can also cause red-colored stools that look like blood:
- Certain foods (such as tomatoes or beets)
- Certain drinks (such as red Kool-Aid)
- Certain medicines (such as amoxicillin or omnicef)
Anal Fissure or Tear
- An anal fissure is the most common cause of blood in the stools.
- It causes blood on the surface of a stool. Blood may also be found on toilet tissue after wiping.
- The blood is always bright red.
- Only a few streaks or flecks are seen.
- You may see a shallow tear at 6 or 12 o'clock on the anus.
- Caused by passing a large or hard stool.
When to Call for Stools - Blood In
Call 911 Now (your child may need an ambulance) If
- Passed out (fainted) or too weak to stand
- You think your child has a life-threatening emergency
Call Us Now (night or day) If
- Your child looks or acts very sick
- Lots of blood in stool OR blood passed alone without any stool
- Tarry or black-colored stool (not dark green)
- Blood with diarrhea
- Pink- or tea-colored urine
- Vomits blood
- Stomach pain or crying also present
- Skin bruises not caused by an injury
- Age under 12 weeks
- After an injury to anus or rectum
- You think your child needs to be seen urgently
Call Us Within 24 Hours (between 9 am and 4 pm) If
- Blood in the stools, but none of the symptoms above. Reason: Most likely an anal fissure or tear. This needs a doctor's input.
- NOTE: Try to save a sample of the "blood" for testing.
CARE ADVICE FOR ANAL FISSURE (Use this until you talk with your doctor)
What You Should Know: - An anal tear is the most common cause of blood in the stools.
- This is called an anal fissure.
- It causes blood on the surface of a stool.
- Blood may also be found on toilet tissue after wiping.
- It is caused by passing a hard or large stool.
- Here is some care advice that should help until you talk with your doctor.
- Give a warm salt water bath for 20 minutes.
- Add 2 ounces (60 ml) of table salt to a tub of warm water. You can also use baking soda.
- Do 2 times per day for 1 day to cleanse the area and to help healing.
- If the anus seems red, use 1% hydrocortisone ointment. No prescription is needed.
- Put a little around the anus.
- Use 2 times per day for 1 day to help healing.