Buzz
A practical guide for students dealing with a tough day
Having diarrhea at home is bad enough—but at school, it can feel like a nightmare. Whether it's from something you ate or an infection, dealing with it in public isn’t easy. Ideally, you’d stay home to rest, but sometimes mandatory tests or strict parents make that impossible. No worries—we’ve got your back with tips to help you power through the school day while staying as comfortable as possible.
How to Handle Diarrhea at School
Let your teachers know what’s going on so you can take bathroom breaks when necessary. Use every passing period to go just in case, and minimize interruptions during class. Carry extra underwear and a spare pair of pants with you, and visit the school nurse for medication if it’s available. If you can, ask to be sent home early so you can rest and recover.
What to Do
Getting Through the School Day
Talk to your parents or teachers for support. If you haven’t already, let your parents know about your stomach troubles—call or text them as soon as you can. Since diarrhea is a valid reason to miss school, they may agree to pick you up. If leaving isn’t an option, quietly speak to your teacher and explain your situation. They might send you to the nurse or give you unrestricted bathroom access.
- If you're embarrassed, ask your teacher if you can step outside for a quick private conversation.
Use the restroom during every break you get. Even if the urge isn’t strong, try to go every time there’s a break between classes. This could help prevent awkward interruptions later on. If you’re a bit late returning, be honest with your teacher and explain that you’re not feeling well.
- Your health comes first. If your teacher doesn’t understand, don’t be afraid to step out if you truly need to, even without permission.
Choose a seat close to the door in every class. Let your teacher know you may need frequent bathroom trips and ask to sit near the exit. If seating is flexible, grab the nearest spot to the door. That way, you can leave without drawing much attention.
- If needed, ask to sit on the floor by the door—just say your back hurts from the chairs.
- Slip out quietly if you have to leave, avoiding disruption as much as possible.
Pack spare clothes in case of an accident. Toss an extra pair of underwear and pants into your bag before heading to school. Chances are you won’t need them, but they’ll ease any anxiety about potential issues. Already at school? Ask the nurse for clothes or call home for help.
- Use your backpack or jacket to cover up until you can change.
- Try to bring identical clothing to avoid anyone noticing.
- If questioned, just say you spilled something or your other clothes were uncomfortable.
Try your best to stay calm and not stress. It’s completely normal to feel anxious or embarrassed when dealing with diarrhea at school. Just remember—everyone deals with it eventually. You’ll get through this, so try not to let your mind spiral.
- If your diarrhea is linked to IBS, stressing over it might actually trigger more urgency. Keeping calm can help reduce symptoms.
Wash your hands thoroughly after each restroom visit. Make it a habit to wash your hands every time you use the bathroom. This simple step can prevent spreading germs and protect you from getting even sicker.
- Use warm water and lather your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds—the same time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice—then rinse well.
- If you can't access soap and water, apply hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, covering every part of your hands and rubbing until dry, just like you would with soap.
Managing Physical Discomfort
Stay relaxed and grounded to ease your stomach. Feeling nervous can actually make diarrhea worse, since anxiety can mess with your digestive system. By staying calm and reframing your thoughts, you can soothe both your nerves and your stomach. It’s totally okay—everyone experiences this.
- Replace thoughts like “what if I can’t make it” with “I’ve got this” or “staying calm helps my stomach settle.”
- Try deep breathing techniques to relax your body and intestines.
- If your stomach troubles are caused by stress, know that they’ll pass as your anxiety eases—and you can speed that up with breathing and mindfulness.
Avoid clenching or pushing around your rectum. It might be instinctive to tighten those muscles when you feel diarrhea coming on, but that can actually make things worse. Overuse can lead to cramping, fatigue, or pain. Do your best to stay relaxed.
- This applies whether you’re on the toilet or trying to hold it during class. Only clench if absolutely necessary.
Visit the school nurse for relief or a safe place to rest. If diarrhea hits while you’re at school, head to the nurse’s office. They may be able to offer medicine, a quiet spot to lie down, or simply a judgment-free zone to help you recover.
- Don’t hesitate to be honest with the nurse—this is what they’re there for, and they’ve seen it all.
- Ask for a teacher’s note, a place to relax, or anything else you need to feel better.
Mask tummy noises if they make you uncomfortable. Most people won’t even notice your stomach growling, and if they do, they’ll probably just think you're hungry. But if the sound bothers you, try to muffle it with a well-timed cough, laugh, sneeze, or chair shuffle.
- If you're in a bathroom stall and worried about noise, flush the toilet or give a loud cough to cover any sounds.
Soothing the Symptoms
Keep sipping clear fluids to stay hydrated. Diarrhea drains your body of water and electrolytes, so drinking throughout the day is key. Aim for 8–10 glasses of water, and have a drink after every bathroom visit to replenish your system.
- If you can't grab water easily, take advantage of the nearest fountain whenever you can.
- Bring a water bottle or thermos to school, and if needed, let staff know why you’re carrying it.
Stick to gentle, easy-on-the-stomach foods. When your digestive system is upset, it's best to go easy with what you eat. Try the BRAT diet—bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast—to soothe your gut and help your recovery.
- Bring simple foods like boiled potatoes, crackers, or gelatin for lunch. Soda crackers, apricots, pretzels, and sports drinks are also helpful snacks.
- Keep perishables chilled with an ice pack or stored in a school fridge if available.
Skip greasy, spicy, or rich foods when your stomach’s upset. If you’re feeling hungry but dealing with diarrhea, steer clear of anything fried, spicy, or loaded with fat. These can worsen your symptoms and irritate your stomach.
- Pass on spicy lunches like tacos or chili and avoid adding seasoning—your gut needs a break.
- If the cafeteria menu doesn’t suit you, ask for alternatives or see if you can bring something milder from home.
Use anti-diarrheal medication if available and appropriate. Talk to the school nurse, a parent, or a teacher about taking something like Imodium or Pepto-Bismol to help ease your symptoms and calm your nerves.
- Not all medications are effective for every case, and some may not be safe depending on your health, so always check with an adult or a healthcare provider first.
- Follow the dosage instructions carefully—taking too much or misusing the medicine could make things worse.
Give your body a break—don’t overdo it. Physical activity can aggravate your symptoms and increase urgency. Try to take it easy and avoid activities like gym class or sports if you’re not feeling up to it.
- Have your parents write a note to excuse you from any physically demanding classes or activities while you recover.
Keep wipes handy for comfort and hygiene. If you’re using rough toilet paper frequently, your skin may get sore. Carry soft wipes with you to clean up gently and ease any irritation.
- Baby wipes or gentle moist wipes are perfect, but remember to toss them in the trash—not the toilet—to avoid clogging the pipes.
- If it’s an ongoing issue, think about protective underwear. If diarrhea is a frequent problem and staying home isn’t an option, wearing discreet protection might help ease your anxiety. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about—no one will even know you have them on, and they can really help prevent accidents.
The suggestions here come straight from real Mytour readers just like you. Got your own tip or trick to share? Drop it in the submission box below—we’d love to hear from you.
- If you're trying to avoid being heard in the bathroom, head for a private single-stall restroom if one’s nearby—like the one in the nurse's office. If that's too far, try taking your break during class time when the restrooms are emptier.
- If you're not allowed to leave the classroom but you know it's urgent, just go. It’s better to deal with the consequences later than risk an embarrassing accident in front of your classmates.
