When something unusual like black specks in the stool when wiping is seen in few people often tend to get paranoid and hysterical. At the same time, some people just ignore by easily flushing the toilet. The presence of blood specks in stool or blood in the stools might appear as either red or black. There is a difference between the black stool and black specks in the stool.
Black poop is generally not due to any medical condition, but primarily due to some medications or food which has been eaten or taken. When there is something wrong medically, then there will be the presence of black specks in stool or spots in the stool. Even though the cause might not be due to the gastrointestinal tract, but still a visit to a gastroenterologist is necessary.
What Are The Causes Of Black Specks or Spots In Stools?
The main cause of black specks in the stool when wiping are upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract bleeding and lower GI bleeding.
Upper GI Bleeding
When there is bleeding in the upper GI tract, there will be a passage of blood through the stomach and it is digested together with the blood that has been taken. It mixes up therefore by causing black specks in the stool.
Lower GI Bleeding
If lower gastrointestinal tract has bleeding then the stool seems to have certain distinct spots on the stool surface which might appear red color. This happens because the blood which passes via is not digested in the stomach. Bleeding can also occur due to Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
Medications
When an individual is taking some medicines like ibuprofen, peptobismol, naproxen or aspirin for the stomach infection or any other medical condition, then the bleeding can happen. Hence, these medicines can also be a reason for black specks in stool when wiping.
Different Foods
There are certain foods also which causes black specks in stools and those are strawberries, bananas, blueberries, blackberries, meat which is not cooked properly or coffee. Sometimes the undigested fruit or food seeds can cause specks in the stool. Hence, a watchful eye is required on which foods are consumed.
Colon Cancer
This is also one of the main reason for black specks in the stool. Colon cancer is often related to dietary choices which are very poor. Bleeding can happen due to the growth of cancerous cells in the colon. Hence this bleeding leads to dark spots in the poop.
Injury/Trauma
Sometimes the digestive tract can get injured in some way like gastric ulcer due to H.pylori virus. Even these tend to produce blood that leads to black specks in stool when wiping. H.pylori infection can be treated with the help of antibiotics.
Inflammatory Diseases
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis cause black specks in the stool. This inflammation leads to bleeding and causes the symptom.
Liver Disease
If an individual has black specks in stool along with the symptoms of fatigue, jaundice, and weakness then he might be suffering from liver disease.
Parasitic Infection
Parasites which are type of an organism which uses other organisms as a host. Parasites are spread via contaminated food, water, soil, blood and other wastes. So these parasites’ eggs or their wastes causes the black specks in stool.
In Babies
The initial few stools passed in the baby are mostly pure black in color. These are often called as meconium stools. This happens mainly due to the reason that stools are created in the womb when bacteria which colonizes were not present in stools.
Treatment For Black Specks In Stool
Black specks in stool treatment depend on the underlying cause. The diet should be recalled of 48 hours to rule out any foods being the suspect for black specks in the stool. If foods are the culprit, then that particular food should be stopped immediately. There can also be black specks in urine which is due to many reasons. So, if any particles are noticed then consult your doctor instantly.
If certain medications are causing the black specks in stool then it is better to consult the doctor and that particular medication can be quit or altered.
GI Bleeding
If the black specks in stool are due to any GI bleeding then it can be a serious condition and the doctor should be contacted immediately. Laboratory testing might be ordered like complete blood count to check if the blood counts are lower than normal.
Parasitic Infection
The doctor may order blood and stool test if the infection is suspected. If the results are positive then certain medications are prescribed to treat the parasitic infection.
When To See The Doctor
When you experience black specks in stool followed with the below mentioned symptoms then an immediate visit to the doctor is to be made;
- Light-headedness or dizziness
- Fatigue
- Rapid heart rate
- Low blood pressure
- Stomach upset
- Greasy stools
- Pain in the stomach which is there for more than 2 days
Medically Reviewed By
I am an experienced Medical/Scientific writer with a passion for helping people live a happy healthy life. My thirst for writing has followed me throughout the years – it is there when I wake up, lingering at the edges of my consciousness during the day, and teases me at night as I go to sleep.
