What is a Sitz Bath? - Meaning, Purpose, Reasons and Benefits

Sitz Bath is a warm water therapeutic bath to soothe pain and itching in the anal area. It can be easily done at home without any supervision. Your doctor might suggest a sitz bath for haemorrhoids, anal fissure or if you have just delivered a baby.

You can prepare a sitz bath with normal water or add Epsom salt. You can buy a sitz bath kit, which is easily available both online and offline. This article will highlight the sitz bath procedure and its uses.

Sitz Bath is a therapeutic shallow warm water bath where you sit to help cleanse and relieve pain in your perineum. It is the area between the genitals and the anus. A sitz bath does not cure a condition, but it can be effectively used as a home remedy to relieve pain and discomfort in the anal region. Both adults and children can take them. However, children should be monitored while taking a sitz bath. 

The primary purpose of a sitz bath is to relieve inflammation in the anal region caused due to conditions like piles. Soaking the genital area in warm water helps relax your rectoanal area, enhancing blood flow through your anal tissues. It encourages healing and lessens discomfort, itching, and irritation. 

Read this article in Hindi : सिट्ज़ बाथ (Sitz Bath in Hindi) क्या है? - उद्देश्य और उपयोग

Sitz bath is advised for managing many conditions because of its benefits with no side effects. The benefits of sitz bath are as follows:

1. Reduce postpartum pain: Doctors usually recommend a sitz bath after childbirth to reduce perineal soreness and pain after delivery. The warm water in the sitz bath increases blood flow and promotes the healing of the perineal tissues. It also helps keep the area clean, thus avoiding the risk of infections.
2. Reduce anal swelling due to haemorrhoids: Using a sitz bath for haemorrhoids helps reduce the pain and swelling in the perineum and makes bowel movement easier. Sitz bath can also ease any inflammation following haemorrhoid surgery to remove piles.
3. Reduce pain due to anal fissure: Anal fissure are cut in the lining of your anus or anal canal. You may experience muscular cramps in the anal region due to fissure. A sitz bath can relieve muscle tension due to the cramps, promoting gradual healing in the affected area.
4. Ease constipation: Sitz bath for constipation is helpful as it improves bowel movement by relaxing the anal sphincter (muscle in your anal region). Doctors usually recommend taking a sitz bath for constipation to ease the movement of the bowel.

A sitz bath is a painless technique to help soothe the anal region associated with several common medical conditions. Its key features include:

1. Non-invasive: Sitz bath doesn't involve any cuts and is proven effective in relieving pain, itching, and discomfort caused by conditions like haemorrhoids, perianal abscess, anal fissure, etc.
2. Easy to use: Sitz bath is very easy to use and requires no professional medical expertise. 
3. Inexpensive: All you need to take a sitz bath is a plastic tub in which you can comfortably sit. If you don't have one, several tubs and kits are available in the market for a low price. 

All you need to make a sitz bath at home is a plastic tub in which you can comfortably sit. Usually, a sitz bath at home is advised for at least ten minutes, up to three times a day. If the anal area is extremely sore, taking a sitz bath after every bowel movement is advisable. Your doctor will recommend the exact frequency and time depending on the severity of your condition. Several kits are also available online and in many stores that can help you take a sitz bath at home.

Steps for Sitz Bath Procedure

1. Clean the tub well before taking a sitz bath at home. Check for any cracks or weakened areas before using. If there are any cracks, replace the tub with a new one to avoid water spillage.
2. Fill the tub with lukewarm water up to 2-3 inches. Ensure that it's enough to cover your perineum area fully.
3. Make sure that the water is comfortable to touch, or you could burn your skin. The ideal temperature is 40 degree Celsius.
4. You can add Epsom salt to the water as it helps to reduce swelling. 
5. And you're done! Sit in the tub and make sure your perineal area is perfectly covered.
6. Soak in for 15 to 20 minutes.
7. After a session of sitz bath, stand up and dry the area by gently patting it with the help of a soft towel.
8. Clean the tub thoroughly after using it for future use.
9. Don't share your tub with anyone else.

Note for sitz bath procedure: Do not add shower gel, soap, bubble bath or any other external agent to your sitz bath as it may irritate your skin and cause inflammation.

The sitz bath kit consists of a shallow basin slightly bigger than your toilet bowl. It can also have a plastic bag with a long tube at one end. While using a sitz bath kit, follow these steps:

1. Place the sitz bath from the kit on the open toilet properly.
2. You can directly pour the warm water into the tub before you sit down or directly sit in the plastic tub and then add the hot water.
3. To add hot water, fill the plastic bag with warm water.
4. Then slowly release the warm water from the plastic bag through the tube into the tub.
5. You can add Epsom salt to the warm water.
6. Soak in for 15-20 minutes and make sure the perineum area is completely immersed in the water.
7. Clean and dry the area by gently patting it with the help of a soft towel or a hair dryer.
8. Clean the tub after using it for future use.

A sitz bath has no significant risks since it is a painless method used as a preventive method to reduce symptoms associated with rectoanal disorders. A few risks that can be involved are as follows:

1. If the water is too hot, then it may burn your skin and may aggravate the symptoms.
2. There is an increased risk of infections in the perineal region if the tub is not cleaned thoroughly. 
3. After a sitz bath, if you dry the area with a hard towel, then it may further aggravate the condition by causing more rashes.
4. Stop taking a sitz bath for haemorrhoids or any other condition if your symptoms worsen, or you develop redness and puffiness in the perineal region.

A sitz bath is a therapeutic bath used to relieve pain, itching, and swelling caused due to conditions like haemorrhoids, anal fissure, or post-vaginal delivery. It is pretty beneficial with minimal risks. It is easy to prepare, and also it is cheap and effective.

Talk to your doctor about a sitz bath if you have any of the above conditions. You can also connect with our team of doctors on board to discuss your health issues and get them solved with a free consultation call. Visit HexaHealth and book your appointment now.