Diarrhea is usually a temporary condition that can cause discomfort but may lead to dehydration if not managed properly. The following first aid guidelines are designed to ease symptoms and prevent complications until further medical care or recovery occurs.
Causes
Diarrhea usually occurs due to a virus that infects a human being’s gut, and it’s often known as stomach flu or intestinal flu. Some of the other causes of diarrhea are as follows:
- Allergies to certain food items
- Laxative abuse
- Intestine-related diseases
- Consuming foods that upset a person’s digestive system
- Certain medicines
- Artificial sweeteners
- Lactose intolerance
- Fructose
- Surgery related to the bowels
- Malabsorption
- Bacteria which are usually consumed from contaminated food or water
- Parasites found in contaminated water or food
- Issues related to cancer
Symptoms of Diarrhea
The common symptoms of diarrhea are:
- Cramps or bloating in your belly.
- An urgent or strong need to have a bowel movement.
- Loose or thin stools.
- Vomiting and nausea.
- Watery stools.
- Fever.
- Body aches and chills.
Recognizing Dehydration
Watch for warning signs that suggest the person is losing too much fluid:
- Thirst, dry mouth, or dry skin
- Reduced urination or dark-colored urine
- Sunken eyes or fontanelle in infants
- Lethargy, irritability, or confusion
- Rapid heartbeat or low blood pressure
Early identification of dehydration allows you to intervene before shock or organ dysfunction sets in.
Immediate First Aid Steps
- Ensure the scene is safe and have the person rest in a comfortable, upright position.
- Rehydrate with small, frequent sips of an oral rehydration solution (ORS). If ORS is unavailable, use water mixed with a pinch of salt and six teaspoons of sugar per liter.
- Offer clear fluids—water, broth, or diluted juice—avoiding caffeine and alcohol.
- Once fluid loss is under control, introduce the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) and other bland, low-fiber foods.
- Discourage fatty, spicy, or gas-producing foods until stools firm up.
- For adults or children over 2 years, consider over-the-counter antidiarrheals (e.g., loperamide or bismuth subsalicylate) following package instructions; consult a provider before use in children.
- Probiotics may help restore healthy gut flora, but check with a healthcare professional before administering. 3
When to Seek Medical Care
Activate emergency services or see a doctor if any of the following occur:
- Diarrhea persists beyond 48 hours in adults or 24 hours in young children
- Signs of moderate to severe dehydration develop
- Blood or black tar-like material appears in vomit or stool
- Fever exceeds 39 °C (102 °F) or you suspect sepsis
- Severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, or inability to retain fluids
- Recent travel to areas with high diarrheal disease risk (e.g., cholera) 4
Do’s and Don’ts
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Encourage frequent, small sips of ORS or clear fluids | Give plain water only when severe dehydration is present |
| Offer bland, low-fiber foods as tolerated | Serve high-fat, spicy, or dairy products |
| Monitor intake, output, and vital signs regularly | Use unverified home remedies (herbs, untested concoctions) |
| Keep the person comfortable and rested | Delay medical evaluation when red-flag symptoms arise |
| Maintain good hygiene—wash hands after each episode | Overmedicate with antidiarrheals without professional advice |
Dehydration Severity & Management Levels
| Dehydration Level | Signs & Symptoms | First Aid Action |
|---|---|---|
| No Dehydration | Alert, normal vital signs, moist mucous membranes | Continue regular fluids and diet; monitor for onset of symptoms |
| Some Dehydration | Thirsty, dry mouth, reduced tears, restless | Start oral rehydration solution (ORS) immediately; 75 mL/kg over 4 hours for children; adults sip freely |
| Severe Dehydration | Lethargy or unconscious, sunken eyes/fontanelle, weak pulse, rapid breathing | Call EMS; if trained, prepare for IV fluids (20 mL/kg isotonic crystalloid bolus) before transport |
Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) Recipes
| Ingredient | WHO-Reduced Osmolarity ORS | Simple Homemade ORS |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium chloride | 2.6 g | ½ teaspoon |
| Trisodium citrate dihydrate | 2.9 g | – |
| Potassium chloride | 1.5 g | ¼ teaspoon salt substitute (with KCl) |
| Glucose (anhydrous) | 13.5 g | 6 teaspoons sugar |
| Total volume | 1 L | 1 L |
Prepare in a clean container; stir until dissolved. Use within 24 hours.
Zinc Supplementation
- Recommended for children 6 months–5 years with acute diarrhea.
- Dosage: 10 mg daily for infants under 6 months; 20 mg daily for older children, for 10–14 days.
- Mechanism: enhances intestinal mucosal repair and immune response.
Probiotics & Adjuncts
- Strains with evidence: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Saccharomyces boulardii.
- Typical dose: 5–10 billion CFU twice daily for 5–7 days.
- Avoid in severely immunocompromised patients due to risk of fungemia or bacteremia.
Prevention
While diarrhea can’t always be prevented, there are a couple of measures you can take to reduce the risk of experiencing it. Some of those measures include:
- Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water and ensure that the drinking water is safe and clean.
- Stay updated on all your vaccinations.
- Make sure to store all your food at the right temperature and cook your food at the recommended temperature.
- Don’t consume food or drinks that have gone past their expiration date.
- Practice good hygiene, and this especially includes washing your hands before a meal, while preparing food, and after using the bathroom.
- Avoid consuming ice cubes and tap water while travelling. Don’t brush your teeth with tap water.
- Stay away from unpasteurized milk or juice products.
- Avoid raw fruits and vegetables and undercooked or raw meats while travelling.
- Educate yourself on how infections are spread so that you can take the necessary measures and keep yourself safe.
Home Remedies
When your diarrhea is not too severe, it is possible to treat it at home. The first aid for diarrhea is as follows:
- Consume plenty of water along with other electrolyte-balanced fluids. The latter includes sports drinks, broths, pulp-free and diluted fruit juices, and caffeine-free sodas. These beverages aid in replacing the water and electrolytes your body loses during diarrhea.
- Eat foods that help in firming up your stool. Low-fiber foods are the best for this purpose. Following the BRAT diet is beneficial when you have diarrhea. This diet calls for you to have bananas [B], white rice [R], applesauce [A], and toast [T]. Other good food options include lean beef, noodles, potatoes, and turkey or chicken, or fish without the skin. Bringing about changes in your daily diet can do wonders in providing relief to your body during diarrhea.
- Stay away from foods and drinks that cause you gas. Carbonated beverages, brussels sprouts, beer, cabbage, and beans come under this category as they could give you stomach cramps. Diarrhea can also cause a person to become temporarily lactose intolerant. Therefore, it’s best to stay away from dairy products till your diarrhea gets cured.
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine as alcohol can cause dehydration and caffeinated drinks and foods can lead to a mild laxative effect which worsens a person’s diarrhea. It’s vital to stay away from chocolate, green tea, strong tea, sodas, and coffee.
- Over-the-counter antidiarrheal medications are often useful when you have diarrhea. These include loperamide and bismuth subsalicylate. They help in bringing the symptoms under control and can also reduce the number of watery stools. However, it’s imperative that you talk to your doctor before consuming these medicines or giving them to your children.
- You could consider taking probiotics. They boost the level of good bacteria and aid in restoring a healthy balance to a person’s intestinal tract. Much like the antidiarrheal medications, it’s vital that you consult your doctor before taking probiotics. These are usually available in the form of liquids or capsules and are often added to certain food items.
REFERENCES
- Guarino A, Guandalini S, Lo Vecchio A. Probiotics for prevention and treatment of diarrhea. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2015 Nov-Dec;49 Suppl 1:S37-45. doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000000349
- Travelers’ diarrhea. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2020/preparing-international-travelers/travelers-diarrhea.
- Xiao L, Ding G, Ding Y, et al. Effect of probiotics on digestibility and immunity in infants: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Medicine. 2017;96(14): e5953. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000005953.
- Diarrhea. Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gastrointestinal-disorders/symptoms-of-gastrointestinal-disorders/diarrhea.
- John Furst, First Aid for Diarrhea: 6 Essential Steps to Take, December 22, 2023, https://www.firstaidforfree.com/first-aid-for-diarrhea/
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