Jenny Sitz Bath Tub

What is a sitz bath?

Purpose and Uses

What is a sitz bath?

A sitz bath is the process of taking a hot water bath that is used for cleansing, healing or relief purposes. The patient is

asked to sit in the tub.

Water only covers the hips and buttocks and the water may contain medicine. It is often used to relieve pain, muscle spasms or itching. To get relief from piles, sitz bath is recommended after piles surgery or after childbirth.

Why is sitz bath taken?

Sitz bath helps in treating and cleansing certain issues in the genital area, anal area and perineum. , Sitz baths help increase blood flow to these areas and relax the muscles.

Sitz bath can be done for the following reasons, it help s in relieving these symptoms:

1. Pain in the anal area

2. Pain, itching or bleeding from piles

3. Cleaning the perineum after childbirth

4. Period cramps

5. Proper cleaning of the anal area after surgery

6. Prostate pain during prostatitis exacerbation or

after prostatitis surgery

How is a sitz bath done?

Sitz baths can be done in 2 ways: in the bathtub or by using a sitz bath bowl.

In the bathtub:

To take a sitz bath in the tub:

1. Make sure the bathtub is clean. Fill the bathtub with 3

- 4 inches of hot

water. In some cases, the doctor may ask to use cold water instead.

2. Add Epsom salt or medicine in water as per doctor's advice

3. Slowly lower yourself into the bathtub and sit on the bottom of the tub. Do not sit until the water temperature is

comfortable.

4. Ask for help from a family member, friend or caregiver if needed.

5. If someone has a wound in the genital or anal area, there may be pain when water comes in contact with it. This pain should gradually subside. The patient should ensure that the area that requires treatment should be under water. They can also bend their knees to help expose the area that requires water contact.

In Sitz Bath Bowl: A sitz bath bowl is a special plastic container that is placed over a toilet seat. Do sitz bath like this:

1. Lift the toilet lid and seat. Place a clean plastic sitz bath bowl on the rim of the toilet. Make sure the bowl is firmly in place and won't move around.

2. Fill a sitz bath bowl with hot water from a container. The water should cover the

perineum. Make sure the water temperature is comfortable.

3. Mix Epsom salt or medicine in water as per doctor's advice. This allows water to flow into the bowl and to the area of your body that needs treatment.

4. The bowl may have a slot or hole at the back. This allows water to drain out so that it does not overflow onto the floor. If there are no holes,be careful not to overfill the bowl.

Sit slowly on the sitz bath bowl. Hold on to a handrail. Or ask for help from a family member, friend, or caregiver if needed.

For any type of sitz bath:

1. Sit in water for 10-20 minutes.

2. Add more hot water as needed to keep the water comfortable.

3. Get up slowly from the tub or toilet. You may feel dizzy. Hold on to a handrail or ask for help if needed.

4. Gen tly pat dry the anal area, perineum and genitals with a clean towel. Do not rub these areas.

5. Wash hands. If advised, apply an ointment or cream to these areas.

6. Wash the bathtub or sitz bath bowl with soap and water after each use.

7. Use sitz bath 2 -3 times a day, or as often as your doctor advises.

When should you contact a doctor?

Call your doctor right away if you have any of these:

1. Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher

2. Pain that gets worse

3. If the affected area becomes swollen, painful or

there is oozing in the area

4. Symptoms that don't get better, or get worse

Although sitz baths are very effective and help in relieving pain, if you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, you should contact your doctor.