A sitz bath is done by sitting in warm water to relieve pain or swelling in the anus or vaginal opening. Your doctor may recommend a sitz bath if you have hemorrhoids (hemorrhoids) or anal fissures, or you have recently experienced tissue damage from childbirth. Regardless of the area that needs to be treated, a sitz bath is a comfortable and effective way to relieve an injury. While a sitz bath requires some special tools, you can use a regular bath. This article will show you how to take a sitz bath.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Take a Sitz Bath in the Bath
Step 1. Clean the tub
Don't underestimate the cleanliness of your bathtub. Since you will be taking a sitz bath to heal injured tissue, you should make sure that the tub you are going to use is sterile.
- Use a bleach-based cleaning product to sterilize the tub.
- Scrub the tub thoroughly to ensure that all soap and other bath products that have accumulated on the surface of the tub are completely removed.
- Rinse the tub thoroughly to remove soap and cleaning products from the tub.
Step 2. Set the temperature of your water
The temperature of the water used for the sitz bath should be warm, but not nearly boiling. The water temperature should be comfortable and not potentially irritating or inflammatory. Warm water will increase blood flow to the injured tissue, thus speeding up the recovery process in the area.
Dip your fingers in the water, or put a drop or two of water on the sensitive skin of your wrist to test the temperature of your bath water
Step 3. Fill the tub with water to a height of 8-10 cm
Make sure your tub plug is plugged in so the water doesn't drain, and turn on the faucet until the tub fills with enough water to completely submerge your injured area.
Step 4. Mix additional relaxing ingredients into the bath water, if you wish
In fact, you don't need to add anything to your bathwater, as the warm temperature alone will make you feel better. However, there are lots of things you can add to address other issues. Ask your doctor for recommendations about what additions you can put in bath water.
- Salt is a versatile addition to your sitz bath. Raise the water a little hotter than your comfortable bath water temperature, and add cup of salt. Stir until the salt is completely dissolved, and let the water cool down to a temperature that is comfortable for you to bathe in.
- If you have a vaginal infection, mix cup of plain vinegar with a salt water solution
- Herbal solutions are good for treating hemorrhoids, as well as injuries from tissue trauma, such as childbirth. Mix cup Epsom salt, 2 tablespoons baking soda, 2 tablespoons witch hazel, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 8 drops lavender essential oil, and 8 drops chamomile essential oil in your bath water.
Step 5. Soak in a sitz bath
Make sure your problem area is completely submerged in warm water, and soak for 15-30 minutes.
Turn on the hot water tap as needed to maintain the temperature of your bath water
Step 6. Dry your body when finished
You need to be very careful when drying the injured area after a sitz bath, so don't dry yourself by rubbing a towel as usual. Take a clean, soft towel and pat your body dry.
Rubbing your body can cause irritation and make the injury worse
Method 2 of 2: Using a Sitz. Bath Set
Step 1. Purchase a sitz bath kit
You can find sitz bath kits in the drug section of your grocery store or pharmacy. If you can't find it, try searching the internet.
This device consists of a shower basin that fits into the toilet seat, a solution bag for bathing water, a plastic hose for flushing water, and a clamp to control the water hose
Step 2. Clean your basin
Even if your device has just been opened, you should ensure that your injured area is not exposed to the risk of infection. Clean the basin thoroughly using a bleach-based cleaning product. Scrub and rinse well.
Step 3. Prepare for your sitz bath
Before you can sit down and relax, your sitz bath must be prepared.
- Thread the hose through the hole in the basin that is used to drain the solution into the basin. Read the instructions that came with the sitz bath if you have trouble locating the hose hole in the basin.
- Insert the hose all the way into the center of the basin and clamp it at the bottom of the bowl. Refer to the diagram in your device's instructions for use, if needed.
- Use tongs to hold back the flow into the basin. Don't let the water run until you're ready!
- Fill the solution bag with warm water, or whatever solution you want to use to treat your injury.
Step 4. Put the basin and bag in place
Make sure your toilet seat is raised, and place the basin over the inner rim of your toilet. It's a good idea to hang the solution bag on some kind of hook so that the liquid can drain down.
Step 5. Sit in the basin
You need to adjust your sitting position until you feel comfortable. Please change your position if necessary so that you can shower comfortably.
Step 6. Open the hose clamp
Remove the clasps holding the warm water solution in the bag. Hose holes in the bottom of the basin will start to pour water upwards, so make sure your shower water is sprayed onto the injured area you want to treat. You can adjust your sitting position or your hose so that the injured area is properly flushed.
If the position of the hose must be adjusted, make sure you clamp the hose first to cut off the flow of water, so it doesn't fall apart
Step 7. Relax yourself
If your bath kit is working properly, the solution in the bag will flow slowly and not all at once, so you'll have a few minutes to relax while you shower. Even after your bag is empty and the hose has stopped flushing, you can soak in the water the basin holds for as long as you want.
Step 8. Dry your body when finished
You need to be very careful when drying the injured area after a sitz bath, so don't dry yourself by rubbing a towel as usual. Take a clean, soft towel and pat it dry.
