Natural Cures for Diarrhea & a Chafed Bottom

A universal ailment among adults and children, diarrhea's common symptoms include loose, runny stools, stomach cramps, gas and recurrent trips to the restroom. Those stricken with diarrhea must avoid dehydration and loss of electrolytes, which in severe circumstances can cause death. Frequent diarrhea also can cause chafed skin because of the overexposure of bacteria and moisture. Many cases of diarrhea and chapped skin can be treated naturally without the use of prescriptions or over-the-counter medications.

Treatments for Spoiled Food

• Diarrhea often comes about when spoiled or bad food has been ingested. Recommended remedies for diarrhea associated with spoiled food includes taking homeopathic arsenicum, which HomemadeMedicine.com reports will help control diarrhea without interfering with removal of toxins from the body. Drinking blackberry tea is also recommend for mild diarrhea.

Reducing Weakness or Cramps

• For sufferers experiencing weakness, pain in the stomach or midsection or intestinal gas, there are several natural cures. Ingesting cuprum arsenicosum is recommended for weakness and burning pains in the stomach. Taking four charcoal tablets every hour reportedly will help absorb and expel intestinal gas and may aid in indigestion, nausea, vomiting and intestinal bloating. Ginger tea or capsules also can be used to stop cramps and pain.

Other Diarrhea Treatments

• Health911.com notes that remedies often associated with diarrhea without a specific known cause include eating yogurt containing lactobacilli, drinking the juice of a freshly squeezed lemon three to five times a day, ingesting three capsules of grapefruit seed extract or drinking 6 oz. of red or white wine once a day. HomemadeMedicine.com also recommends taking cayenne capsules or ingesting wild oregano oil. For sufferers with brown rice available, the site also suggests boiling the rice for 45 minutes, eating the rice, then drinking the water after it has cooled.

Replenishing Lost Fluids

• Glucose and potassium are lost during bouts of diarrhea. According to MotherNature.com, a common misconception is that drinking fluids will cause more diarrhea. However, fluids lost must be replaced to avoid dehydration, which can cause weakness, dizziness and death in acute cases of diarrhea. When suffering from diarrhea, stay away from caffeine, alcohol and apple juice, which may make diarrhea worse. Ginger ale and carrot juice will make stools less watery.

Cleaning Chafed Skin

• Chapped or chafed skin caused by a round of diarrhea should first be cleaned thoroughly in plain water or an oatmeal bath by filling one end of a nylon stocking with two cups of oatmeal, swirling it through the tub water before, wringing out the stocking and removing it before soaking for 15 minutes. If the bath is for a baby, use only 1/3 cup of oatmeal.

Drying Chapped Skin

• Either gently pat the chafed skin with a soft towel or cotton balls or dry it with a hair dryer set to the lowest heat setting. If you are treating a baby with chapped skin, allow her some diaper-free air time and avoid using baby wipes that contain alcohol when changing her diaper.

Applying Oils

• Oils are often used to treat chapped or chafed skin. Some options include whisking a tablespoon of olive oil with five drops of water and applying to the clean skin; opening cod liver oil capsules and pouring over the chapped region; or adding an essential oil such as tea tree, lavender, comfrey and sandalwood to an olive, jojoba or sweet almond oil to sooth the chaffed skin.