fed up of posting in this section but... blood on toilet paper - how bad is it?

[ElfOnTheTopShelf]

DD hasn't been very well (docs think either viral infection / allergic reaction) and she has seemed a little better.
But tonight she went for a poo, called me to wipe her bum, and there was blood on the paper, not loads but a bit.
Is this common? What do I need to do?

pitiful bump please

i think it's quite common, iirc bright red blood is usually nothing to worry about. if it's dark red, or if you can see it throughout the poo then it might be something else.

could just be a little tear or something

Usually this is caused by an anal fissure - a small tear in the wall of the anus. It's very common particularly if steriods have been taken because the skin thins due to the drugs and unfortunately this can be one place it shows up.

It will pass (bad choice of words sorry!). Increase her intake of soft fruits/water and this will ease her motions and make them less painful/likely to cause bleeding.

thank you
Just been stressing out what with all the skin stuff, she looks a bit like a dot to dot at the minute and all the joints are flaming red, and now this!
It was bright red, and i couldn't see anything bleeding when I put her nappy on for tonight. Will see how she goes.

Elf - honestly, it's just a side effect of the drugs. Has she stopped being treated? Bright red is good it means its caused by localised trauma (in this case a small tear). Coffee ground like dried blood in poo is much more worrying. Unless it's more than half a teaspoon it's absolutely not a problem. Mention it to the GP next time you go if you are still worried but it's no doubt fine.

You can get stool softening medications and/or pessaries if it is a recurrent issue, but I'm guessing it'll pass within a few weeks.

thanks for the reassurance

Normally, if it's bright red and just when wiping (not in the bowl) it'll be an anal fissure or possibly piles (anal fissure more common than piles in children though). You should check with a doctor if it doesn't go away, obviously, but that's the most likely explanation.