If your child has a fever, constant tummy pain, vomiting, bloody or mucousy stools, this may indicate a bacterial cause.

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Better out than in
Diarrhoea is the bodies attempt to get rid of something that isn’t mean’t to be there. Many products will effectively stop the diarrhoea, however we must also value the bodies attempts to eliminate the bug that isn’t mean’t to be there and that may otherwise “fester” within!
Therefore it is best to let the diarrhoea run its course, but proper rehydration therapy must be applied.
The most common complication associated with diarrhoea is dehydration, and small children or those who are ill, will quickly dehydrate given the chance. You must encourage your child to drink fluids, and not just water.
Water is very dilute and can make the diarrhoea worse. Therefore it is recommended that you add some electrolytes to the water in the right proportions. If you have some cordial or juice at home, you can add this 1 part to 20 parts water, or just so there is a slight taste. Alternatively, there are a range of products available in the pharmacy, such as hydralyte and gastrolyte. Hydralyte comes in a ready to use solution, satchets (Just add water), and ice blocks. These are very convenient and ensure your child receives the correct proportions of electrolytes and fluid.
You should seek medical advise if:

• Your child sufferes from other chronic illnesses
• You cannot get your child to take sufficient fluids to keep themselves hydrated
• Your child is less than 6 months old
• If you child has a fever or bad tummy pains
• If the diarrhoea is very severe or lasts longer than 3 days
• If vomiting persists or your child just isn’t themselves

Formula and Breast Fed Infants

If your baby is vomiting and on formula you should replace the formula with liquid rehydration preparations such as hydralyte and gastrolyte, available from your pharmacy. You should aim to have your child back on the formula within 24 hours. When formula has been recommenced you should still offer oral rehydration products in between feeds. If your child’s diarrhoea persists, they may need a lactose free formula. When a child has severe diarrhoea, the flora in their gut is reduced and therefore they can’t break down the lactose in some milk preparations.

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If your baby is eating solids, ensure that these are simple, such as rice cereal, potato, pumpkin etc.

If your child is breast fed, continue breats feeding throughout the diarrhoea and vomiting, you may also offer oral rehydration fluids between feeds.

How much fluid does my child need?

If your child is less than 6 months old, you should ask your doctor how much they need.

• 6-23 months 40-60ml hourly

• 2-5 years 60-100ml hourly

• 6-10 years 100-120ml hourly

• 11-16 years 120-160ml hourly

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Irritants include:

• Common irritants include Fungus, namely the same fungus that causes thrush infestations. Such irritants enjoy the moist environment provided by the nappy, and therefore effort should be focused toward ensuring this environment is kept relatively dry. Fungal infections often present with white, flaky areas. Dermatitis and ezcema are also common causes of nappy rash. Essentially however soaps are the main offenders.
• Less commonly, bacteria may be the cause of the infection. Viruses such as herpes are also less common.

What can you do to prevent and treat Nappy Rash?

The use of irritating chemicals on the skin, breaks down the skins protective layers, making them more vulnerable to breakage. Once the skin is broken, bacteria and other chemicals from the babies faeces may enter the area, irritating it further. Such as environment is welcoming for fungal infections.

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Prevention:

Make sure you use highly absorbant nappies, whether they be dispoable or cloth nappies. Change the nappies every 2 hours, this will ensure the area stays dry. You should also avoid using soap, instead use alternatives such as Cetaphil and QV products, which are soap and fragance free. Due to the potential irritants in baby wipes, you should void these and instead use damp cloth baby wipes.

To reinforce the skins natural barriers, you should also apply a barrier cream, which contains zinc and castor oil, this is available from the local pharmacy.

If the nappy rash is more severe and the above measures don’t seem to be helping, you should visit your doctor or your pharmacist who may recommend a 1% cortisone containing cream along with an antifungal (Hydrazole is product containing a combination of less concentrated hydrocortisone 1% and Caneston).

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If the inflammation persists you best seek advise from the doctor, who may recommend a stronger medication, if bacteria or more resistant fungi are present.