Blood Streaks in Stoma Bag - Should I Be Concerned?

Hi, I noticed I had streaks of blood when I removed my stoma bag this morning and was wondering if I should be alarmed due to never having this before. I've had this stoma for many years, so it's not related to surgery 😊.

-Thank you 

Yes, speak to a GP/stoma nurse, as the doctor told me once he believes blood is designed to be red to signal danger, to make sure you get it investigated if you see it. If the blood was poured into a mug and it would have been more than a quarter full, I would phone 111 today or go straight to A&E. Have you knocked your stoma or do you have any granulomas? It's surprising how much blood can come from those tiny things.

It was more formed soft stool consistency but the blood was noticeable actually in it. Thank you for your advice and I do not have any cause for the blood as the stoma nurse has said my skin was very good after having my stoma refashioned last year 😊 

Hi Spicyramen, could it have been from rubbing your stoma a little too hard when cleaning it? A little bit of blood can look like a lot in the bag. I had some bleeding five years ago that was due from an area of anastomosis from a prior surgery five years before that. I saw blood in my bag but the bleeding was consistent for about a month. I'd contact your doc or nurse just to run it by them. 

I totally agree with what Ben has suggested. Good luck and let us know how you get on. Xx

Getting Support in the Ostomy Community with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

Hi Spicer,

Looked at your profile to see if it said why you have an ostomy, but came up empty. So the thing with blood is the color tells you the location. Blood entering your bowels higher up will be darker in color the further it is from your stoma, with it actually looking black if it's entering far enough away. If your blood is red, like if you just cut your finger, it's coming from somewhere near the exit of your stoma. Depending on why you have an ostomy, it can be from a bunch of things. I wouldn't panic, but would keep an eye on it. If it continues, have your doc figure out what's going on, like folks have recommended.

;O)