Stools - Blood In

When To Call

Call 911 Now (your child may need an ambulance) If

• Fainted or too weak to stand

Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If

• Your child looks or acts very sick
• Large amount of blood, blood alone without any stool or the toilet water turned red
• Tarry or black-colored stool (not dark green)
• Blood with diarrhea
• Pink- or tea-colored urine
• Vomited blood
• Abdominal pain or crying also present
• Skin bruises not caused by an injury
• Age under 12 weeks
• Small bleeding occurs over 2 times
• Followed an injury to anus or rectum
• Your child needs to be seen urgently

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 am and 4 pm) If

• Blood in the stools, but none of the symptoms described above (Reason: probable anal fissure)
• NOTE: Try to save a sample of the "blood" for testing if your child needs to be seen

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information. For more information, click here.

Care Advice

Home Care Advice For Anal Fissure (until you talk with your doctor)

1. Definition: An anal fissure is the #1 cause of blood in stools
• The blood is bright red, but only a few streaks or flecks are present
• All the blood is on the surface of the stool or on the toilet tissue after wiping
• Usually follows passage of a large or hard stool
• You may see a shallow tear at 6 or 12 o'clock on the anus
2. Warm Saline Baths: Give warm saline baths for 20 minutes 2 times per day for 1 day to cleanse the area and to promote healing. Add 2 ounces (60 ml) of table salt or baking soda to a tub of warm water.
3. Steroid Ointment: If the anus seems irritated, apply 1% hydrocortisone ointment (no prescription needed) 3 times per day for 1 day to help healing.
4. High-Fiber Diet:
• For children more than 1 year old, offer a nonconstipating diet.
• Increase fruits, vegetables and grains (fiber).
• Reduce milk products to 3 servings per day.
• If CONSTIPATION is definitely the cause, see that topic.
5. Expected Course: Anal fissures usually heal up quickly with home treatment.
6. Call Your Doctor If:
• Bleeding increases in amount
• Small bleeding occurs over 2 times
• Your child becomes worse

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

To find a pediatrician, click here.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information. For more information, click here.

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