Blood On Toilet Tissue Paper

Blood on toilet tissue can be a scary symptom but may often not be a cause for alarm. Usually, blood on toilet tissue paper shows that the blood loss is limited and much less than when there is blood in the toilet. However, as with blood in the toilet, It can happen due to bleeding in any part of the digestive tract. It could be a pointer to mild conditions like haemorrhoids or severe medical illness like colorectal cancer. When your healthcare provider rules out serious causes, this symptom can usually be managed with self-care.

The amount of blood, colour and other symptoms may help distinguish between different causes:

• In people with haemorrhoids, the veins in the anus can rupture with strain or rough wiping, and the toilet tissue paper will be stained bright red.
• Dry skin or insufficient lubrication during anal sex can lead to a split or tear in the lining of the anus (anal fissure). The bloodstain on the toilet tissue paper will be bright red.
• Colorectal cancer can bleed spontaneously and give bright red stains for active bleeding or dark red stains for earlier bleeding.
• Inflammation of the gut (inflammatory bowel diseases), rectal surgery, a surgical incision during childbirth or an anal injury will give a dark red stain.
• Earlier bleeding (e.g. due to infections or tumours) can be slight and noticeable only when wiping. Blood may appear as a dark red stain on the toilet tissue paper when wiping.

You should seek medical help:

• If the bleeding becomes more frequent.
• If it doesn’t go away after self-care.
• If you experience severe anal or abdominal pain.
• If any of these symptoms accompanies bleeding: cold, clammy skin, confusion, fainting and rapid breathing.

You can prevent this symptom by maintaining a healthy weight and increasing fibre in your diet. Include more fruits (like watermelon and apples), vegetables (like carrots and ugwu leaves) and whole grain products (like wholemeal bread and brown rice) in your diet.

Self-care Tips

• Drink more water, up to two to three litres a day.
• Clean your anus with mild soap and water after a pooh.
• Eat food high in fibre, including fruits (e.g. mango, guava, watermelon, groundnut) and green, leafy vegetables.
• Take sitz baths to relieve symptoms and clean the area between your anus and sex organ. Simply fill a clean bath or bucket with saltwater and sit in it for about 10minutes. Dry with a clean towel afterwards.

Medical treatments
Your healthcare provider may recommend one or more of the following:

• A rectal examination. Your healthcare provider will put a gloved finger into the anus to check for abnormalities. They may also perform a colonoscopy, whereby a long flexible tube is inserted in the anus.
• If needed, your healthcare provider may recommend muscle relaxants to relieve spasms.
• Mild to moderate pain relievers like paracetamol or ibuprofen may be recommended to relieve pain and discomfort.
• You may be given stool softeners to relieve constipation and reduce strain while having a pooh.
• Surgery may also be recommended, especially when medicines do not improve the condition.

The majority of the causes of blood on toilet paper are curable with proper treatment. Eating high fibre foods and drinking water help prevent many causes for finding blood on toilet paper. It is advisable to see your healthcare provider, especially if you are a man over the age of 40, to rule out colon cancer.