Dealing with diarrhea can be an unpleasant experience for just about anyone, especially in case of little children. This is because diarrhea can be a major cause for concern, in case it is severe, as it could be an indication of several problems such as food allergies or intolerance, infections, a virus, or a reaction to the early introduction of certain foods. Toddlers could experience severe pain and discomfort due to diarrhea and are also at a risk of dehydration. In addition to all the problems that have been associated with this ailment, parents should also be prepared for diaper rash when the toddler is suffering from diarrhea.
Unfortunately, dealing with toddler diarrhea and diaper rash is not an easy task as the constant moisture aggravates the rash.
Toddler Diarrhea and Diaper RashIn most cases, when a child suffers from diarrhea, a diaper rash is bound to crop up. The diarrhea on its own can be quite painful, but toddler diarrhea and diaper rash together can be very painful, not just for the child, but also for the parents.
In fact, when a child suffers from a problem like diarrhea, the diaper rash that is seen is generally a lot worse. Moreover, children experience a lot of burning, itchiness and pain, while being changed, or even when a soothing ointment is being applied. This is because anything touching the affected area could cause intense pain. The correlation between toddler loose stools and diaper rash is much stronger in those children who wear disposable diapers all day long, as compared to those who are in diapers for only a part of the day.
The best way to deal with a case of toddler diarrhea and diaper rash is to take a two-way approach. First, the main cause, which is diarrhea, should be addressed. At times, the child may need to take antibiotics, especially if the diarrhea is a result of an infection. In all probability, the toddler’s diet may also need to be changed. A BRAT diet is normally recommended for children suffering from diarrhea. In addition to that, it is important to apply a good ointment which has been developed especially for a diaper rash. Doing this will protect the child’s skin from the acidic content of the diarrhea, thereby expediting the healing process. Using baby wipes during toddler diarrhea and diaper rash could cause additional pain and discomfort to the child. Instead, a wet washcloth or some clean cotton should be dipped in warm water and used to clean the child.
There is a lot of information easily available on toddler diarrhea, toddler vomiting and diaper rash. However, it is best to consult a doctor and preferably have the toddler undergo a proper check up in such instances to determine the root cause of the toddler diarrhea.
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