Patient's question:
Patient Gender: The baby is 6 months old and has had diarrhea for two days. Now the anus is red and painful, and a crack has appeared today. The buttocks cannot be touched at all. When cleaning, the baby is in extreme pain, crying and fussing non-stop. What should I do? I heard that vegetable oil (sesame oil) or erythromycin ointment can be applied to the red and swollen area of the anus. Is this method okay? Will it cause side effects?Patient Age: Main Symptoms: Onset Time: Test Results:
Doctor's answer:
In terms of nursing care, it is important to note that when a child has gastroenteritis, their digestive function is affected. Therefore, you can give them some pepsin or compound amylase solution to help. If the child is formula-fed, it is recommended to use a diarrhea-specific formula. If it is not available temporarily, it is advisable to dilute the milk a bit. If the child is breastfed, consider that the diet of the lactating mother may be an issue. It is recommended that the lactating mother's diet should focus on being easily digestible, nutritious, and light. If the mother's digestive function is poor and her bowel movements are also not good, it is recommended that the mother take oral probiotics like Chela Kang or Peifeikang to regulate the balance of intestinal flora, which will help the child recover.I advocate treating the child's diarrhea with "mother and child treatment together." Additionally, because frequent bowel movements will certainly cause discomfort to the child's bottom, it is recommended to avoid wrapping the bottom too tightly while ensuring the child does not get cold. When cleaning the bottom, it is best to use water. If using a cloth, avoid rubbing—instead, gently press. It is crucial to be very gentle to prevent the child's delicate skin from breaking, as this can cause the child to cry and fuss.
If the child is crying and fussing without apparent reason, check to see if the skin on the bottom is red, as this indicates discomfort. To prevent this type of diaper rash, you can apply a layer of ointment after each cleaning, such as tetracycline ointment or eye ointment, or erythromycin ointment. Also, ensure to change the diaper promptly and let the bottom air out to avoid the ammonia released during the breakdown of urine and feces from irritating the delicate skin.