Stools, Blood in - Children

• Blood-colored material mixed in with the stool, on the surface or passed separately.
• Blood in the stools is usually bright red.
• Blood from bleeding in the stomach comes out tar-black.

Temporary Care - Pending Talking with Your Doctor

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 bowel movement (BM).
• You may see a shallow tear at 6 or 12 o'clock on the anus.

Warm Saline Baths

Give warm saline baths for 20 minutes 3 times per day to cleanse the area and to promote healing. Add 2 oz. of table salt or baking soda to a tub of warm water.

Ointments

If the anus seems irritated, apply 1% hydrocortisone ointment 3 times per day to help healing.

High-Fiber Diet

For children more than 1 year old - offer a non-constipating diet. Increase fruits, vegetables and grains (fiber). Reduce milk products to 3 servings a day. If constipation is definitely the cause, see that topic.

Expected Course

Anal fissures usually heal up quickly with home treatment.