Frequent bowel movements, burning the skin

[sycamore54321]

My 22-month old has suddenly come on with very frequent bowel movements (four in the last three hours) which are causing him huge distress and leaving burn marks on his skin. I can barely wipe without him screaming. I have given Calpol of course and am applying Sudocreme (most recently just layering it directly on to the nappy, as he can't bear for the skin to be touched at all).

The bowel movements themselves seem neither too loose nor too hard, and don't have a noxious odour. He doesn't have a temperature and has been eating moderately well so apart from the burning skin, he thankfully doesn't seem otherwise ill.

Does anyone have any thoughts what I can do to help? I have placed a few nappies and a couple of wipes in the fridge in case the cool touch might be more comfortable. I will also give him a cool bath shortly, without any bubbles. Any other tips for the poor bottom? It is heartbreaking to see his raw, burnt skin and hear his cries.

Also, does this sound familiar to anyone and what might the cause be? He did eat more fruit than usual a day ago but if have thought it would have come on quicker if it was a reaction to that. I'd love to be able to avoid a reoccurrence.

Thanks for any help.

[FlopIsMyParentingGuru]

Although messy I've found that Vaseline on the sore area can help. Hope he's better soon

[KanyesVest]

Both of my children got thrush in their bowel which caused burning poo. It was cleared up really quickly by a few days of high strength probiotics and putting neem oil on the affected skin. I got both in the health food shop. (Btw, neem oil stinks, but it works wonders!)

[sycamore54321]

Thank you, that's sounds like it would provide a good barrier on the skin. I hadn't thought of that, I will try it if there is a next one.

[sycamore54321]

Thanks also for the thrush suggestion - I've fortunately never had it myself and am not familiar with it. What were the other symptoms? Were your children otherwise unwell with it?

[TeaBelle]

Metanium will clear up a sore bum in a couple of hours. Love the stuff

[Marmitelover55]

Oh yes metatanium was FAB.

[sycamore54321]

Thanks, I have never heard of it. I wonder will my pharmacy have it - I'm in the U.S. It sounds like exactly what we need.

[gubbinsy]

Has he had pineapple or pineapple juice? We had this once after he drank a fair amount of juice. Very odd!

[sycamore54321]

Bingo. He did indeed have some pineapple, yesterday morning though so quite a time ago but perhaps that's how long it takes to work through the system. He's had it a couple of times before but probably not as much in one go. Thanks for the suggestion - I will keep pineapple well away from him for the next while and then ration it very carefully thereafter.

[sparkly72]

Don't use wipes!!! Will make it more sore - cotton wool dipped in warm water, or olive oil is a gentle way to clean - then you need a barrier cream - metanium, sudocrem, or anything which is water resistant- put a thick layer on to protect the skin. Keep nappy off for as long as possible as the air will help dry out the skin

[sycamore54321]

Thanks. Good idea on nappy free time. I only ever use Water wipes and need something to remove the residue of the stool from the skin. I fear cotton wool might leave those sticky bits on the skin which I'd then have to pick off, adding to trauma.

How do you use the olive oil to cleanse?

[sycamore54321]

Oh and gubbinsy - how long did the bad spell last for after your child had this reaction to pineapple? I'm hoping desperately that the worst of it might be over - after almost one burning nappy per half hour during the afternoon, he hadn't had a dirty one for the past two hours.

[gubbinsy]

Think it was just a day. Was awful raw patches on his skin which was really strange as he's never been one for nappy rash! Cleared in a couple days though. We used a mixture of sudocrem and the weleda nappy cream.

[Caterina99]

I'm in the US too (but I'm British). My DS has had bad nappy (diaper!) rash a few times. We used triple paste, which seemed to help it heal. And also aquaphor as a further barrier.

Now I stock up on metanium when I go back to the uk, as its awesome! DS had it after eating a lot of grapes (we think) and the worst stopped after about 24 hours and then it was just healing the sore skin. As much nappy off time as possible, changed strictly every few hours during the day and instantly if a poo and used a wet cloth instead of wipes as they seemed to sting.