Stools - Blood In

• Blood in or on the stool
• Blood can also be passed alone
• Blood in the stools is mostly bright red
• Blood from bleeding in the stomach comes out tar-black
• Included: blood from constipation and anal fissure (tear)

Causes of Blood in Stool

• 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 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.
• Cow's Milk Colitis. Starts within the first 2 months of life. Causes loose, slimy stools. Can be blood-streaked. Treatment: need to avoid cow's milk formulas.
• Blood spreads rapidly and widely in water. Passing a stool with a few blood streaks often turns the toilet water pink. It doesn't mean a large blood loss.

Causes of Red Stools, 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.

Call 911 Now

• Passed out (fainted) or too weak to stand
• You think your child has a life-threatening emergency

Go to ER Now

• Lots of blood in stool or blood passed alone without any stool
• Vomits blood

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

• Tarry or black-colored stool (not dark green)
• Blood with diarrhea
• Pink or tea-colored urine
• Stomach pain or crying also present
• Skin bruises not caused by an injury
• Age less than 12 weeks
• After an injury to anus or rectum
• High-risk child (such as with bleeding disorder or Crohn's disease)
• Your child looks or acts very sick
• You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

• Small amount of blood in the stools. 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

What You Should Know About Anal Fissures:

• 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.

Warm Saline Baths:

• 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.

Steroid Ointment:

• If the anus seems red, use 1% hydrocortisone ointment (such as Cortaid). No prescription is needed.
• Put a little around the anus.
• Use 2 times per day for 1 day to help healing.

High-Fiber Diet:

• For children more than 1 year old, change the diet.
• Increase fruits, vegetables and grains (fiber).
• Reduce milk products to 3 servings per day.
• If Constipation is the cause, see that care guide.

What to Expect:

• Most often, anal tears heal up quickly with home treatment.

Call Your Doctor If:

• Bleeding gets worse
• Small bleeding occurs more than 2 times
• You think your child needs to be seen
• Your child becomes worse