Diarrhea is frequent loose and watery bowel movements. Diarrhea can make your child feel weak and cause him or her to become dehydrated. Dehydration can make your child tired and thirsty. Your child may also urinate less often and have a dry mouth.

Diarrhea typically lasts 2–3 days. However, it can last longer if it is a sign of something more serious. In most cases, this illness will go away with home care. It is important to treat your child's diarrhea as told by his or her health care provider.

Follow these instructions at home:

Eating and drinking

Follow these recommendations as told by your child's health care provider:

• Give your child an oral rehydration solution (ORS), if directed. This is an over-the-counter medicine that helps return your child's body to its normal balance of nutrients and water. It is found at pharmacies and retail stores.
• Encourage your child to drink water and other fluids, such as ice chips, diluted fruit juice, and milk, to prevent dehydration.
• Avoid giving your child fluids that contain a lot of sugar or caffeine, such as energy drinks, sports drinks, and soda.
• Continue to breastfeed or bottle-feed your young child. Do not give extra water to your child.
• Continue your child's regular diet, but avoid spicy or fatty foods, such as pizza or french fries.

Medicines

• Give over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child's health care provider.
• Do not give your child aspirin because of the association with Reye syndrome.
• If your child was prescribed an antibiotic medicine, give it as told by your child's health care provider. Do not stop using the antibiotic even if your child starts to feel better.

General instructions

• Have your child wash his or her hands often using soap and water. If soap and water are not available, he or she should use a hand sanitizer. Make sure that others in your household also wash their hands well and often.
• Have your child drink enough fluids to keep his or her urine pale yellow.
• Have your child rest at home while he or she recovers.
• Watch your child's condition for any changes.
• Have your child take a warm bath to relieve any burning or pain from frequent diarrhea.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your child's health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if your child:

• Has diarrhea that lasts longer than 3 days.
• Has a fever.
• Will not drink fluids or cannot keep fluids down.
• Feels light-headed or dizzy.
• Has a headache.
• Has muscle cramps.

Get help right away if your child:

• Shows signs of dehydration, such as:
  • No urine in 8–12 hours.
  • Cracked lips.
  • Not making tears while crying.
  • Dry mouth.
  • Sunken eyes.
  • Sleepiness.
  • Weakness.
• Starts to vomit.
• Has bloody or black stools or stools that look like tar.
• Has pain in the abdomen.
• Has difficulty breathing or is breathing very quickly.
• Has a rapid heartbeat.
• Has skin that feels cold and clammy.
• Seems confused.
• Is younger than 3 months and has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.

Summary

• Diarrhea is frequent loose and watery bowel movements. Diarrhea can make your child feel weak and cause him or her to become dehydrated.
• It is important to treat diarrhea as told by your child's health care provider.
• Have your child drink enough fluids to keep his or her urine pale yellow.
• Make sure that you and your child wash your hands often. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
• Get help right away if your child shows signs of dehydration.