Although it is uncomfortable, burning diarrhea is not usually a
sign of a serious health condition. Most cases resolve within a few
hours or days on their own, or with the help of basic home remedies.
Whenever burning diarrhea lasts longer than 2 or 3 days, or is extremely painful or bloody, it is important to seek medical attention.
What is burning diarrhea?
Diarrhea occurs when the intestines do not absorb enough fluid from the body's waste. This means a person will experience fluid-filled, loose stools passed with or without pain 3 or more times daily.Sometimes, especially in intense or chronic cases, diarrhea can cause a painful, burning sensation.
Causes of burning diarrhea
There are several reasons why burning diarrhea may occur.Stomach acids, digestive enzymes, and bile
When food enters the stomach, particular acids and digestive enzymes attach themselves to it and begin breaking it down.By the time food has passed through the small intestine, where bile is added to the mixture to help absorb nutrients, these acids and enzymes should be neutralized.
Diarrhea speeds up the digestion process, so foods are often not broken down properly, which means stomach acids, digestive enzymes, and bile may still be present in diarrhea. These can damage tissues and cause a burning sensation.
Physical trauma
Because foods may not be entirely broken down when they leave the body, large, rough foods, or those with edible seeds, pods, or shells may rub, cut, or even cause small tears in delicate rectal tissues.Occasionally, just the increase in wiping, even with soft bathroom tissue, is enough to cause irritation.
Spicy foods
Some spices contain chemical compounds that cause a burning, warm sensation when exposed to tissues. Capsaicin, the primary active ingredient in most spicy foods, is also used in over-the-counter numbing products.Capsaicin can irritate digestive tissues, triggering diarrhea. And as diarrhea speeds up the digestive processes, the capsaicin consumed in spicy foods may leave the body before being broken down, causing a burning sensation.
Additional causes
Other common causes of burning diarrhea include:- alcohol abuse
- stress
- caffeine
- artificial sweeteners
- fructose, a naturally occurring sugar found in fruits
- laxative abuse
Associated conditions
There are a number of conditions that can increase the risk of burning diarrhea.IBS and other gastrointestinal disorders
Diarrhea is a common symptom of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). For people with IBS, diarrhea can be chronic or may alternate between periods of constipation.Other gastrointestinal conditions known to cause chronic diarrhea include:
- Crohn's disease
- celiac disease
- ulcerative colitis
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the lower rectum or around the anus. They are often irritated by episodes of diarrhea and can cause a burning, painful sensation.Diabetes
Metformin, a medication for managing type 2 diabetes, is known to cause diarrhea.Food allergy or intolerances
When the small intestine senses a compound or substance that it is allergic to, it sparks an immune response. One response is diarrhea, which works to remove the irritant as quickly as possible.Food poisoning
Some cases of food poisoning may last for several days, weeks, or even months, increasing the chances of irritation from frequent wiping. Most types of bacterial and parasitic infections require medical treatment.Antibiotics
Antibiotics may cause diarrhea by disturbing the natural balance of intestinal microbes, allowing bacterial overgrowth or infection by toxin-producing bacteria.Cases of antibiotic-associated diarrhea may require medical treatment.
Surgery or medical therapies
According to the American Cancer Society, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and several other cancer management medications can cause diarrhea. Tumor growth itself can also cause diarrhea.Diarrhea caused by cancer therapy can last for up to 3 weeks after treatment sessions end.
Surgeries involving the gastrointestinal organs are also known to cause diarrhea.
Treatment and recovery
A warm bath filled with Epsom salts may help relieve irritation to the skin.
Diarrhea usually causes fluid loss, so increasing fluid intake can help prevent dehydration.
It may be helpful to drink more water during periods of diarrhea, but it is also important to replace salt and sugars with things such as saltines and diluted juice.
An alternative is oral rehydration solutions that contain electrolytes and can be purchased at most pharmacies.
A person should also try to consume bland foods, such as toast, rice, or bananas if they are experiencing symptoms of diarrhea. Dense carbohydrates can help make stools more solid.
Yogurt may also help restore the natural balance of gastrointestinal flora, or microbes, after diarrhea.
A person with burning diarrhea should also:
- avoid spicy foods or food allergens
- be as gentle as possible when wiping
- wash the area with lukewarm water and scent-free baby wipes
- sit in a warm bath with Epsom salts
- avoid dehydrating foods, such as caffeine or alcohol
- avoid tobacco
- apply a water-repellent cream or ointment to the affected area
- avoid foods high in sugar or fat
- use over-the-counter hemorrhoid creams
- use over-the-counter pain medication
- use probiotic supplements
When to see a doctor
Most cases of burning diarrhea will stop on their own after a day or two. Sometimes, however, longer or intense episodes of diarrhea can be a sign of a more serious health condition.Reasons to seek medical attention for burning diarrhea include:
- diarrhea that does not resolve on its own within a day or two
- diarrhea that is extremely painful
- blood in the stool
- black stool
- diarrhea caused by an antibiotic or new medication
- diarrhea that smells unusual
- fever, chills, or night sweats
- a skin rash
- signs of severe dehydration, including extreme thirst, exhaustion, light-headedness, and dark-colored urine
- significant weight loss and lack of appetite
- vomiting
- recent travel
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