Cancer: Home Treatment for Diarrhea

Things you can do

Home treatment may be all that is needed to treat diarrhea caused by cancer or the side effects of chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Be sure to follow any instructions and take any medicines your doctor has given you to treat diarrhea. Check with your doctor before using any nonprescription medicines for your diarrhea.

• Take frequent, small sips of water or a rehydration drink and small bites of salty crackers.
• Try to increase your fluid intake to at least 1 qt (1 L) each hour for 1 to 2 hours or until diarrhea symptoms disappear.
• Begin eating mild foods the next day or sooner, depending on how you feel.
  • Avoid spicy foods, fruits, alcohol, and caffeine until 48 hours after all symptoms are gone.
  • Avoid chewing gum that contains sorbitol.
  • Avoid milk, cheese, or ice cream for 3 days after symptoms go away. When you have diarrhea, some milk products may be harder for your body to digest.
• Try foods like white bread or white rice, bananas, applesauce, yogurt, gelatin (such as Jell-O), or eggs.

Symptoms to watch for during home treatment

If one or more of the following symptoms occur during home treatment, contact your doctor:

• Signs of dehydration develop.
• You develop severe diarrhea (large, loose bowel movements every 1 to 2 hours).
• You have any diarrhea for longer than 1 week.
• You have severe pain in your belly.
• You develop black or bloody stools.
• You develop a fever.
• Your symptoms become more severe or more frequent.

When you have diarrhea, make sure to wipe gently after using the bathroom. Using moist wipes or water squirted from a spray bottle may also help. Talk to your doctor if you have soreness, bleeding, or hemorrhoids.

Cleaning up diarrhea

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you wear disposable gloves when cleaning up diarrhea or other body fluids. You may wear reusable rubber gloves if you wash them after each use. If you don't have gloves, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water when you are finished.

For steps on how to clean up diarrhea from skin, soiled linens, or hard surfaces, see Cleaning Up Diarrhea.