How to Take a Sitz Bath: Procedure and Benefits

Taking a sitz bath in the bathtub:

Scrub the tub and rinse thoroughly.

Fill the tub with water up to three to four inches.

Water should be warm but not steaming hot so that it causes discomfort or burns in the anal region. 

You can test the water temperature by putting a few drops on your wrist. 

Once you’ve found the right temperature, add any materials your doctor recommended to the bath.

Soak your bottom in the tub for 15-20 minutes. 

Bend your knees or hang your legs over the sides of the tub to keep them out of the water.

Dry yourself gently with a cotton towel after you get out of the bathtub. Try not to rub or scrub the perineum and anal area as it may cause irritation and pain.

Rinse the bathtub thoroughly after you finish.

Cleaning the Sitz Bath kit

The sitz bath kit uses a plastic tub that is placed on the rim of the toilet. The instructions to use are generally found in the kit. However, if you don’t have those, you can use water and soap to wash the sitz bath bow

Aftercare

After finishing, wash your hands thoroughly with warm, soapy water. Wash your portable bath in hot water with a mild detergent. Do not put your portable bath in a dishwasher

1. The sitz bath kit is made of plastic and fits over the toilet. Before using the sitz bath kit, rinse it with clean water.
2. Position the sitz bath bowl on the toilet’s rim.
3. Make sure it stays in place and does not move around.
4. Add warm but not hot water along with any solutions or medications advised by your doctor.
5. Alternatively, you can fill the tub with water after you’ve sat down using the plastic bag and tubing. 
6. Ensure that the water is deep enough to cover your perineum.
7. Spend 10 to 20 minutes soaking. 
8. As the original water cools, you can add warm water to the plastic bag. 
9. There is usually a vent on sitz baths that prevents water from overflowing. The water can easily be flushed as it conveniently overflows into the toilet.
10. Once you’re done, stand up and pat the area dry with a clean towel. Do not rub or scrub the area.
11. Clean the sitz bath thoroughly before using it again

The benefits of a sitz bath are:

1. A Sitz bath eases the pain of prostate infections. 
2. It reduces the period cramps.
3. It keeps the anal and genital areas clean if you can’t take a bath or shower.[2]
4. A sitz bath relieves itching and minor pain. Occasionally, doctors prescribe a sitz bath with povidone-iodine, which has antibacterial properties.[1,2] 
5. Patients who underwent surgery in the anogenital area can find comfort with a sitz bath as it helps to reduce the pain and keeps the area clean.
6. Taking a sitz bath in conditions like Bartholin’s cyst helps a lot. Bartholin’s glands are the lubricating glands on both sides of the vaginal opening in females. Sometimes these glands get blocked, and the fluid may get infected. When the fluid accumulates, it forms a swelling called Bartholin’s cyst. Sitz bath aids to clean the area, soothe the pain and drain the cyst.
7. Haemorrhoids can be caused due to swelling in the veins around the anus from straining. The sitz bath relieves the discomfort caused by piles.[2]
8. Constipation, big or hard stools, chronic straining, or diarrhoea can cause tear around the tissues of the anus leading to a fissure. A fissure can cause pain, bleeding, and irritation during bowel movements. A sitz bath may relieve the discomfort

A Sitz bath is a type of water treatment for increasing the flow of blood to the abdominal and pelvic area. It has several benefits and can be taken in the bathtub or using a kit.

To learn more about such procedures, visit us at www.hexahealth.com. At HexaHealth, we aim to provide quality care and surgery support to our patients. You can also book an appointment with our group of health care experts and get online consultation from the comforts of your home