Itchy Skin and Diarrhoea: What to Know

A food reaction may cause itching, hives, swelling, nausea, or diarrhoea soon after exposure. A stomach infection can cause diarrhoea while dehydration makes skin feel dry and itchy. A new medicine may affect the gut and skin at the same time. Sometimes diarrhoea is unrelated to a rash caused by Atopic Dermatitis, Contact Dermatitis, Hives, or another condition. Look for timing, fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, blood or mucus in stool, and whether other people are unwell.

Take frequent small sips of fluid and consider oral rehydration advice from a pharmacist, especially after repeated loose stools. Choose simple foods if tolerated and avoid a suspected food trigger until you have medical advice; do not test it again deliberately. Keep a record of meals, medicines, stool changes, rash appearance, and urine output. Use gentle moisturiser for dry itchy skin and avoid fragranced products.

Emergency help is needed for breathing difficulty, throat or tongue swelling, faintness, or rapidly worsening hives. Seek prompt care for blood or black stool, severe abdominal pain, high fever, repeated vomiting, confusion, signs of dehydration, or very little urine. Arrange review if diarrhoea persists, recurs with a particular exposure, or itching continues after the bowel symptoms settle.

Could this be a food or medicine reaction, infection, or two unrelated problems? Which fluids or medicines are suitable for me? Do I need testing if these symptoms recur?