Stools – Blood In

Is this your child’s symptom?

• 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. 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.
• 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.

Care Advice for Anal Fissure

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. What to Expect:
   • Most often, anal tears heal up quickly with home treatment.
6. 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

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the ‘Call Your Doctor’ symptoms.

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