Diarrhea that forms from pizza may be related to various digestive conditions, such as food poisoning, a food allergy or lactose intolerance. Diarrhea is a common digestive symptom that could be the result of other conditions not listed and needs to be evaluated by a medical doctor. Diarrhea that forms as an isolated event and subsides within a few hours may be related to indigestion. Call your doctor if you develop diarrhea that continues for more than three days, is accompanied by other symptoms or is progressively getting worse.
Food Poisoning
Food poisoning from pizza causes diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, cramping and nausea that can come on suddenly. Food poisoning from pizza occurs when any ingredient in the pizza has been contaminated with an infectious organism, such as bacteria, parasites or toxins. This can occur during the manufacturing of each ingredient, the food preparation or even after the food has been cooked and cut. Food poisoning from pizza can occur if the pizza touches an infected surface, such as an infected cutting board, or it can occur if the pizza is left out for too long. Most cases of food poisoning last for one to ten days.
Food Allergy
If you are allergic to wheat, tomatoes, milk or yeast, diarrhea can form within minutes of eating pizza. Diarrhea from a food allergy is distinctive because it is accompanied by other symptoms that are related to an allergic reaction. If you're allergic to an ingredient in the pizza, your immune system overreacts to the ingredient and attacks it because it identifies as a threat to the body. This reaction triggers a chain reaction of chemicals that cause inflammation in soft tissue, such as the lining of the intestines. Diarrhea from a food allergy only lasts as long as the allergen remains in the body. After it has been expelled, your diarrhea and other symptoms should subside.
Lactose Intolerance
Most pizzas contain cheese and could trigger lactose intolerance symptoms. Lactose is a sugar found in dairy products. If you can't digest lactose and you eat pizza, you will develop diarrhea, bloating, gas, abdominal pain and cramping anywhere from 30 minutes or up to two hours after eating the pizza.
Complications
A common complication of diarrhea is dehydration because your body looses a lot of fluid from excessive loose and watery stools. If you become fatigued, extremely thirsty and lightheaded, call your doctor. Prevent dehydration by increasing the amount of fluids you drink at the first sign of diarrhea.
