Diarrhoea self-care advice

Drink plenty of liquid up to two litres a day (unless advised not to do so from a healthcare professional) to replace lost fluid.

Avoid coffee and citrus fruits.

Some foods tend to make your stools firmer so try these instead: rice and pasta, potatoes without the skin, dry cracker biscuits, baked foods, white bread, pretzels, bananas, chicken, beef or fish, and scrambled eggs.

At your next visit to hospital, inform your doctor of your diarrhoea. They can investigate the cause, and prescribe some anti-diarrhoea medicines if appropriate

If you have been prescribed anti-diarrhoea medicines (such as loperamide) take them as directed by your doctor.

Look after the skin around your back passage. The skin around your back passage can become very sore and may even break down if you are having severe diarrhoea.

Use unscented baby wipes instead of toilet paper to wipe yourself after you’ve been to the toilet.

Have a warm bath to help soothe pain and help with healing. Do this a few times a day if necessary.

Pat the area dry with a soft towel after a shower or bath – don’t rub.

Ask your chemotherapy nurse or doctor about soothing creams to apply around your back passage. Applying Vaseline around the back passage can help.

Avoid wearing tight trousers or underwear.

Cotton underwear will help to keep the area ventilated – nylon can make you sweat and cause even more soreness.

If you have a stoma and develop sore skin around your stoma site, contact your stoma care nurse for advice.

Complementary therapies may help, but always consult with your chemotherapy care team about it. Only go to accredited therapists.

If your symptoms persist please contact your CNS or Acute Oncology Service