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Original poster

6 year old dark red poo and blood coming out of bum :(

56 replies

Boringthreadalert · 15/08/2024 22:48

Before I start, a very unhelpful nurse from 111 did call me back about this tonight after filling out the online form but she was incredibly rude, spoke over me and wouldn't listen :(
We got back from greece last night. 4 days ago while we were there my 6yo said that his poo was red. I went and had a look and the entire poo was dark red. My DH came to look and said that it didn't look like blood as it was.the whole thing, not streaks. He put it down to him eating different food although we both knew that he'd not eaten anything that colour. We told our son to let us know if it happens again as we may need to see a Dr.
Fast forward to tonight and my 8yo said he just noticed as they were getting their pjs on that 6yo has blood in his pants.
I went and had a look and he did.. not a lot but he also had small trickles.coming out of his bum
He then admitted it's been happening every day, wiping blood and red poos but didn't want to tell us as was scared of seeing a dr :(
He's not unwell in himself. Isn't constipated and is eating and drinking fine. The caller from 111 was telling me to give him more fibre and maybe see the gp if no improvement however she didn't let me tell her 80% of what I've just typed above!
What could this be? If it was a tear inside would it discolour his whole poo and would he be in pain from that?
Freaking out a little

OP posts:
Mum2jenny · 15/08/2024 22:50

Beetroot??

MargotEmin · 15/08/2024 22:53

Mum2jenny · 15/08/2024 22:50

Beetroot??

The op has already ruled out food, and in any event this wouldn't explain the trickles coming out of his bottom. Bless him, I think an emergency trip to the GP is in order.

jenn88 · 15/08/2024 22:56

I have rather bad health anxiety especially with my children! I would take alot of talking down not to go to A+E!
My rational thought would think it's been going on a few days so it can wait to speak to GP tomorrow morning. I would collect photos and take a stool sample!
I would insist on being seen tomorrow!!
It could be a parasite?
Anal fissure? I have had trouble with these since having a baby 4 months ago and it doesn't always hurt to poo and still have blood when I wipe!

INeedAnotherName · 15/08/2024 22:57

If he's leaking blood then it's A&E time. Otherwise it's GP in the morning but make sure you get an appointment for tomorrow.

Aussieland · 15/08/2024 22:58

Yeah he needs to be seen in the next 24 hours

PandaPopsxxx72 · 15/08/2024 22:58

Oh, what a worry.
I wonder if maybe your son may have been a little constipated at the beginning of your holiday. The change of food may be a cause. Maybe stretched or cracked the skin a little, over straining.
I would call your GP first thing.
You know your son best and hopefully help to put your mind at ease.
Hope you get it sorted out. X

PrettyParrot · 15/08/2024 23:01

Are the poos themselves a dark colour? This is important as dark poos (if you're not taking iron pills or anything) possibly indicate an internal bleed somewhere further up the GI tract. Red poos, otoh, are still worrisome, but indicate that the bleed is rather closer to the rectum (I.e. in the large intestine) and so are a bit easier to access/fix. I have had a few and they fixed themselves relatively easily with more fibre in my diet. So hopefully he just has a small tear near the exit, as it were.

Do definitely see a doctor though!

Justwingingit2005 · 15/08/2024 23:06

My DS when he was 14 had this.
GP arranged a blood test and felt tummy.
He said more fluids, have a stool softener. Blood tests were fine.
Suspected fissure.
After 10 days the issue sorted itself. GP said if it returned to go back.
I was worried it was cancer, he said he has never in all his yrs as a GP seen this being a sign of cancer in a child.

nocoolnamesleft · 15/08/2024 23:09

Consistency of poo? If he's been constipated, could be a fissure. If he's had loose stool/diarrhoea it could be a particularly nasty gastroenteritis bug, and he would need a sample of poo sending off to make sure it wasn't, for instance, E coli 0157 (can cause kidney issues).

MumofCrohnie · 15/08/2024 23:13

He needs a stool test - it's called fecal calprotectin - to check for an inflammatory response of the bowel. The GP should arrange it, plus coeliac screen. It could be hemorrhoids or a fissure but it could also be a sign of inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's or ulcerative colitis which are unfortunately getting more commonly seen in children.

Noseybookworm · 15/08/2024 23:14

If he's fine in himself and not in pain, I'd let him sleep tonight and ring GP for an emergency appointment in the morning. I know it's scary but is very probably nothing sinister. Sending you a hand hold 💐

Original poster
Boringthreadalert · 15/08/2024 23:21

Thanks so much for the info. No upset tummy at all, nor constipation. He's.been going 1 or 2 times a day and has been totally normal consistency. He never has to strain. He eats really well, plenty of fruit and veg but has eaten more junk while we've been away
Colour wise... the poo we saw was deep red. Burgundy. Definitely not bright red amd also not black, but the blood on his bum tonight was bright red and was coming out from inside.
Have never seen anything like this but am reassured he's OK in himself.
Will call the gp tomorrow.. does a sample have to go in a special specimen pot that they'll need to give me?
Thank you

OP posts:
MumofCrohnie · 15/08/2024 23:25

Yes they will provide sample pots. Be sure to ask about a calprotectin test as GPs don't always think to offer it. My daughter has Crohn's and they didn't do this test, she had a 4 month needless delay while they fannied about doing other tests for infection etc.

MumofCrohnie · 15/08/2024 23:27

If you have pics of stool in the loo to show GP, or the blood on undies, that might help too.

Original poster
Boringthreadalert · 15/08/2024 23:39

@MumofCrohnie will do, thank you so much :)

OP posts:
Original poster
Boringthreadalert · 15/08/2024 23:42

Also just discussing again with DH and we realised that DS has complained a lot about having a stitch on holiday... mostly when walking but also when sitting occasionally. We thought nothing of it but timing wise has been since the onset of this. And he's a very active child. Plays footy twice a week, swims once and goes to Beavers. Has never said he has stitch in his life till this week so I guess it's worth mentioning to the GP

OP posts:
MrsMoastyToasty · 15/08/2024 23:49

The stitch could be appendicitis. I would get him checked out sooner than later.

WhoOfWhoville · 15/08/2024 23:49

OP - I’m a Nurse Practitioner with an A&E background as well as paeds experience.

PLEASE ignore all previous comments and take your child to A&E. These are red flag symptoms for a bowel intussusception and it is an emergency.

MumofCrohnie · 15/08/2024 23:50

Definitely.
If he is losing blood that could make him anemic and that can make them breathless and "stitch -y". My DD couldn't walk more than about 100 yards without stitch like pain at one point.

MumofCrohnie · 15/08/2024 23:52

WhoOfWhoville · 15/08/2024 23:49

OP - I’m a Nurse Practitioner with an A&E background as well as paeds experience.

PLEASE ignore all previous comments and take your child to A&E. These are red flag symptoms for a bowel intussusception and it is an emergency.

My DD had intussusception at 6. Her red flag symptoms were agonizing pain and complete inability to pass any stool at all, or even pass wind. She then began vomiting and did not stop until she was vomiting fecal matter. She was definitely actively ill and in pain. By 48 hours in she was deathly ill with a swollen belly. Surely after 4 days it would be obvious if it was this?

WhoOfWhoville · 15/08/2024 23:55

MumofCrohnie · 15/08/2024 23:52

My DD had intussusception at 6. Her red flag symptoms were agonizing pain and complete inability to pass any stool at all, or even pass wind. She then began vomiting and did not stop until she was vomiting fecal matter. She was definitely actively ill and in pain. By 48 hours in she was deathly ill with a swollen belly. Surely after 4 days it would be obvious if it was this?

Edited
Show quote history

The intussusception (telescoping of the bowel) can be episodic, until it isn’t anymore - so occurring on and off and gradually worsening until the child begins to look sick-sick with fever and malaise, vomiting, etc. Not every child will present in the same way.

Mirabai · 16/08/2024 00:10

WhoOfWhoville · 15/08/2024 23:49

OP - I’m a Nurse Practitioner with an A&E background as well as paeds experience.

PLEASE ignore all previous comments and take your child to A&E. These are red flag symptoms for a bowel intussusception and it is an emergency.

Not medical but I came to say the same.

webuiltthiscityonrockandwheat · 16/08/2024 00:22

Seconding the poster who said ask for a calprotectin test. My DS has ulcerative colitis and started with blood in his stool. He was completely fine in himself until he wasn't and started passing blood. Personally I would present to A&E and make sure you're taken seriously

CherryDrops89 · 16/08/2024 00:22

I don't understand why some are so anti a&e, I understand time wasters with a cold but this is a little boy with red poo and blood coming out of is bottom, I'd strongly urge you to take him to be checked out

Letttherebelight · 16/08/2024 00:27

Same here, also not medical, but I would go to A&E now. Far better to get him checked out asap.

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