Some kids get diarrhea from their chemotherapy medicines. It can happen right after chemotherapy or a few days later. Diarrhea causes a lot of water to leave the body and can lead to dehydration, so it's important that your child drink a lot of liquids. Here's how to care for your child at home.

• Follow your health care provider's instructions on any medicines to give and how often. Do not give your child medicine or herbs to stop diarrhea unless your health care provider says it's OK.
• To prevent and treat irritation of the anal area from diarrhea:
  • Have a spray bottle with warm water to clean the area after bowel movements (poops). Your child can use soft toilet paper to gently pat the area dry. Or your child can use flushable, alcohol-free wipes.
  • Make sure your child gently washes and dries the area with a mild soap at least once a day.
  • Apply a zinc-oxide barrier cream after cleaning and gently drying the anal area to help soothe and protect it.
  • Have your child take warm, shallow baths to soothe the area.
• To help with the diarrhea and to make sure your child gets enough liquids, offer them:
  • Frequent, small meals. For babies, continue breastfeeding or bottle-feeding.
  • Easy-to-digest foods like rice, bananas, applesauce, toast, gelatin, plain skinless baked chicken, boiled potatoes without the skin, crackers, and Cream of Wheat^® cereal.
  • Plenty of water, broth, sports drinks, and other caffeine-free fluids. If you give your child carbonated drinks, let the drinks lose their fizz before serving them.
• Help your child avoid foods that may make the diarrhea worse:
  • Fried, greasy, fatty, or spicy foods
  • Sweets, including sugar-free gums and sugar-free candies
  • Fruit juices and caffeinated drinks
  • Milk 
• To protect yourself from chemotherapy drugs that may be in the diarrhea and to prevent the spread of germs:
  • Wear disposable gloves if you need to help your child clean themselves or clean up any poop. Wash your hands after taking off the gloves. 
  • Wear disposable gloves when handling any clothes or linens that have diarrhea on them. Put clothes and linens in a plastic bag until they can be washed. Then wash them separately from other laundry. Wash your hands after taking off the gloves.

Your child has:

• Diarrhea that lasts more than 24 hours or that gets worse
• Diarrhea that makes it hard to sleep at night
• Diarrhea five or more times in a day
• Poop accidents
• Blood or mucus in the poop
• Belly pain, cramping, or bloating
• Nausea (feels sick to the stomach) or vomiting
• Pain in the anal area or pain during a bowel movement
• Signs of dehydration, such as dizziness, drowsiness, a dry or sticky mouth, sunken eyes, crying with little or no tears, or peeing less often (or having fewer wet diapers)
• Fever or chills

Your child becomes confused or has a seizure.

When does chemo-related diarrhea need more testing? If your child is not improving with the health care provider's recommendations, the diarrhea may be happening for other reasons. Other causes of diarrhea when having chemo can include overgrowth of bacteria in the gut, problems absorbing fats, food intolerances, infections, or a backup of poop that leads to liquid leaking out around the poop. Talk to the health care provider if the diarrhea is not improving.