Blood in stool can look different depending on where the bleeding is coming from. It may appear as bright red blood in the toilet water, red spots or streaks on the stool, blood on the toilet paper, or very dark, sticky, foul-smelling stool that looks like coffee grounds.
Bright red blood in the stool usually suggests bleeding closer to the end of the digestive tract, such as the intestine, rectum, or anus. Dark stool can happen when blood comes from higher up, such as the stomach, esophagus, or duodenum, because the blood is digested before leaving the body.
In babies, blood may be seen in the diaper as bright red blood, sometimes described as a raspberry jelly-like appearance, or as dark stool that looks like coffee grounds. Any repeated or unclear blood in stool should be checked, since it can be related to different health problems.
A gastroenterologist or primary care doctor can evaluate the cause with a physical exam and tests such as a stool test, endoscopy, or colonoscopy. Go to the emergency room right away if the bleeding is heavy or comes with dizziness, cold sweats, or fainting.