Consider changes to your diet and medication that can also help treat the diarrhea and end the irritation.

Watery stoolsaffect anal tissues and can soreness.

Withdiarrhea, food is not fully digested, andstomach acidsanddigestive enzymesused to break down food remain in the stool.

how to treat skin irritation from diarrhea

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These can damage anal tissues, leading toinflammationand pain.

By making a few simple changes, you’re free to reduce or avoid this symptom.

Soak in a Warm Bath

Hot baths and showers can strip away natural body oils.

An image of toilet paper in a bathroom

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This allows moisture to escape from the skin, causing dryness and chafing.

This is especially true if you have cuts or fissures.

Soaking these wounds can slow the healing process.

Close-up of a hot water shower knob

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For a gentle soak, try addingEpsom saltsorcolloidal oatmealto the bath water, both of which have anti-inflammatory effects.

Avoid bubble baths or fragranced bath oils or salts which can irritate the skin.

Apply a Barrier Cream

A barrier cream is a cream or ointment used to coat the skin.

Petroleum jelly is an inexpensive, gentle, multi-purpose product that’s often overlooked.

govindji/Shutterstock

This can provide some protection from acids and digestive enzymes in watery stools.

Avoid any medicated cream that causes dryness or irritation.

They can also increase skin-on-skin friction which can make the anal pain worse.

Woman with aches and pains in her buttocks region.

Albina Gavrilovic / Getty Images

This is especially true if you havehemorrhoidscaused by swollen blood vessels in your rectum.

If you have a desk job, avoid sitting for long stretches.

Instead, try alternating between sitting and standing every 30 minutes or so.

Person sitting in chair, feeling pain in lower back

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Specially designed seat cushions can also help by easing pressure on the buttocks and preventing moisture build-up.

An inflatable, donut-shapedhemorrhoid cushionis an especially good choice.

Gel or grid foam cushions not designed specifically for hemorrhoids can also help.

Person drinking a glass of water

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If you have diarrhea, you oughta drink more.

Don’t drink too much, though.

Sports drinks tend to be high in sugar which can contribute to diarrhea.

A person touching a to-go coffee cup

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There are a few things you’re able to do to treat or stop this from happening.

Keep the area clean and apply a barrier cream.

Avoid sitting for long periods.

Women holding a pill in her hand with a glass of water

Getty Images / PixelsEffect

Don’t take hot baths or showers.

Drink plenty of liquids, and avoid foods and supplements that may trigger diarrhea.

A Word From Verywell

Irritation in the anus region is common when suffering from diarrhea.

Jay N. Yepuri, MD

While a cause of significant discomfort, there are many treatment options that can provide significant relief.

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