Diarrhea is experienced by almost all adults a few times a year. The skin of the anus can burn due to diarrhea, especially if the stool is very acidic and liquid. Moreover, anal discomfort and irritation may occur due to passage of watery stool and frequent wiping of anal area. You may feel that your bum is on fire every time you make a trip to the bathroom. The sore bum from diarrhea makes you feel very miserable. Fortunately, there are steps that you can try to improve anal discomfort and soreness quickly.
How to Relieve Your Sore Bum Caused by Diarrhea
1. Keep the Anus Area Clean
To relieve your sore bum, clean or wipe the area gently with baby wipes or wet wipes after passing stool. You can also use a shower head or rinse your bum in a Sitz bath. You can take a Sitz bath by sitting in a shallow tub of lukewarm water for around 15 minutes a couple of times a day to relieve the irritated anus. Let the bum dry from air or you can use a blow dryer to dry it on cool setting. Avoid the usage of any soap on the bum as they can irritate the already sensitive skin of the anus.
2. Drink Plenty of Liquids
If you suffer from diarrhea and if it is chronic, you are at risk of developing dehydration. You should drink plenty of water and other liquids to prevent dehydration. This will also help to keep your skin moist. However, you should completely avoid alcohol and caffeine, which may aggravate dehydration.
3. Apply a Barrier Cream
Barrier cream coats the skin of the bum and protects it from moisture and stool. You can apply a diaper rash cream containing zinc oxide or petroleum jelly or vitamin D and A cream to dry, clean skin. Reapply after every bowel movement.
4. Avoid Hot Baths and Showers
Hot showers and baths may actually dry the already broken and sore skin of the bum. However, you can soak in lukewarm water for several minutes which is helpful in relieving the sore bum from diarrhea. Use a barrier cream afterwards.
5. Be Wary Of Supplements
Supplements are taken by many people along with other medicines. However, some supplements may make your stool more irritating to your bum. Hence, you should avoid the supplements such as ginseng, cayenne, milk thistle, and glucosamine.
6. Avoid These Foods
You diarrhea may be triggered or aggravated by eating certain foods. They may also increase the acidity of the stools. Some of the foods that you should avoid during diarrhea are: citrus drinks and fruits, artificial sweeteners, fried foods, fatty foods, spicy foods and greasy foods.
7. Avoid Dairy Products
Dairy products including ice cream, milk and cheese may aggravate diarrhea especially in people suffering from lactose intolerance. So try to avoid dairy if you suffer from diarrhea. Make sure to get calcium in your diet from other dietary sources such as salmon, shrimp and green, leafy vegetables.
8. Change Sitting Habits
Sitting on your bum for a long period of time can worsen your sore bum from diarrhea. Therefore, you should avoid prolonged sitting on your bottom. Avoiding prolonged sitting is easier said than done especially if you have to attend office or school. If you can’t avoid prolonged periods of sitting, then sitting on a cushion is a great idea. You don’t need anything special, even a bed pillow would do the trick.
9. Take a Pain Reliever
You can use an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to manage the anal pain and soreness.
When to Visit a Doctor
You should immediately visit a doctor under these circumstances:
- You develop a large amount of bleeding from the rectum or the bleeding does not stop, particularly if the bleeding is accompanied by symptoms of dizziness, lightheadedness or feeling faint.
- Pain in anus becomes worse, spreads or is associated with symptoms of chills, fever or a discharge from the anus.
Natural Remedies to Treat Diarrhea
Ultimately, to relieve the sore bum from diarrhea is to treat the diarrhea itself. The following natural remedies are recommended:
1. Yogurt
Yogurt is an excellent natural home remedy to treat diarrhea. Use live bacterial cultures such as bifidobacterium and lactobacillus acidophilus in the yogurt as they help in restoring the good intestinal bacteria and destroying the bad bacteria resulting in diarrhea.
2. Ginger
You can use ginger in the treatment of diarrhea. Use grated ginger with a teaspoon of honey or drink ginger tea several times a day to relieve diarrhea.
3. Bananas
Bananas, especially ripe bananas are an effective remedy for diarrhea due to their high pectin and potassium content. Eat a few ripe bananas every day till your diarrhea resolves.
4. Clear Fluids
Your body may become dehydrated due to diarrhea. So remember to drink at least 8 glasses of water and clear fluids such as coconut water, vegetable soups, clear broths and clear sodas (without caffeine) while you have loose stools.
5. Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is recommended during diarrhea as it is helpful in reducing intestinal inflammation and has antispasmodic properties. Steep 1 teaspoon of chamomile flowers and 1 teaspoon of peppermint leaves in 1 cup of boiling water, and drink the mixture several times a day.
6. Fenugreek Seeds
Fenugreek seeds have high mucilage content which has a strong antidiarrheal effect. You can chew a teaspoon of fenugreek seeds with a teaspoon of yogurt.
7. Black Seed
To treat diarrhea, eat a mixture of 1 teaspoon of black seed in a cup of yogurt two times a day until the diarrhea subsides.
8. Apple Cider Vinegar
This is another home remedy to cure diarrhea. It acts against the bacteria that cause diarrhea. Drink a solution made with a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and a glass of water several times a day.
9. White Rice
White rice is recommended during diarrhea as it digests easily and also reduces the frequency of stools by adding bulk to the stools. You should eat plain white rice in small amounts and gradually increase the quantity.
10. Carrot Soup
Carrot soup is known to have antidyspeptic effects and is a high-bulk food. It is especially recommended in children who are recuperating from diarrhea as it provides the nutrients that are lost with the stools.