What is a sitz bath?
The sitz bath is a form of balneotherapy (bath therapy), i.e. the medical application of baths using natural substances such as healing water or healing earth. Balneotherapy is a branch of hydrotherapy.
During a sitz bath, the patient sits in a tub so that only the lower body is in the water. The water temperature and any bath additives depend on the complaints to be treated. The focus is on diseases of the genital and anal area and the surrounding skin. Here, a sitz bath can support other treatment measures.
Ask your doctor to clarify your symptoms before using a sitz bath. He or she can determine the cause and assess whether a sitz bath is suitable for treatment.
When should you use a sitz bath?
Depending on the water temperature, a sitz bath is suitable for treating various complaints.
Warm sitz bath
A warm sitz bath can increase blood circulation and relax the muscles due to the water temperature alone. Depending on the bath additive, other effects may be added, such as an anti-inflammatory or skin and mucous membrane care effect. The warm sitz bath is generally suitable for
- haemorrhoids
- Tears in the skin/mucous membrane of the anus (anal fissures)
- Itching in the genital or anal area
- Cystitis, especially if it causes urinary retention and pain
- Psoriasis
- Diaper dermatitis and diaper rash
Temperature-increasing sitz bath
The temperature-increasing sitz bath is helpful for
- anal fissures
- constipation
- Recurrent inflammation of the bladder or prostate
- Irritable bladder (overactive bladder with frequent urge to urinate)
- Renal and intestinal colic and kidney stones
- Pain in the coccyx and muscle tension
- Menstrual cramps (including excessively heavy or absent periods)
Cold sitz baths are comparatively unpleasant and are rarely used today.
What do you do with a sitz bath?
In a sitz bath, only the lower abdomen and the base of the thighs are covered with water. Special sitz baths (e.g. as an insert for the toilet) make this position easier. They are available from specialist sanitary retailers.
In principle, however, a sitz bath is also possible in a normal bathtub: lean your back against the edge of the tub and put your legs up, for example on a shower stool. For small children, the washbasin or a large bowl is suitable for a sitz bath.
The body outside the water should be kept warm during the sitz bath (e.g. with a bath sheet, blanket, socks). The following recommendations apply with regard to water temperature and bath duration:
- With the temperature-increasing sitz bath, more and more warm water is added during the application so that the temperature slowly rises from 36 °C to 40 °C. Here too, the bath lasts ten to 15 minutes.
- A water temperature of around 18 °C is selected for cold sitz baths. The duration of application is significantly shorter than with warm sitz baths.
Immediately after a warm or temperature-increasing sitz bath, you can cool down briefly with cold water.
Additives for the sitz bath
Camomile, oak bark and other medicinal plants are possible bath additives. However, there are other additives that can be used, such as the so-called potassium permanganate sitz bath. The decisive factor is which complaints are to be treated. Examples:
- Chamomile flowers: anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and promotes wound healing. Helpful for various inflammatory skin changes, for example in the external genital area of women (vulvitis).
- Oak bark extract: The tannins it contains have an astringent effect on the tissue. Helpful for mild inflammation of the skin as well as burning, oozing and itching, for example with haemorrhoids.
- Hamamelis (leaves or bark): astringent, anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving, e.g. for hemorrhoids.
- Potassium permanganate: disinfectant and antipruritic. Often prescribed for diaper dermatitis
Example: Sitz bath for diaper dermatitis
A sitz bath for children with diaper dermatitis (inflammation of the skin around the diaper) can be prepared as follows:
- with oak bark extract: Pour a liter of boiling water over 25 to 50 grams, leave to infuse for a quarter of an hour and then add the brew to the bath water.
- with pansy herb: Steep two to three tablespoons in one liter of boiling water and then add to the bath water.
- with chamomile: Steep 25 grams of chamomile flowers in a liter of hot water and add to the bath water (possibly together with 10 to 20 ml of chamomile tincture).
What are the risks of a sitz bath?
Depending on your constitution, sitz baths put a strain on your circulation. In the case of existing cardiovascular diseases, even slight changes in heart rate and blood pressure can be dangerous. Elevating the legs during a sitz bath can also have a negative effect on the cardiovascular system. If you have cardiovascular disease (such as cardiac insufficiency), you should therefore consult your doctor before using the sitz bath. He or she may strongly advise you not to use the sitz bath.
If you have hemorrhoids, the bath water should not be too hot!
Incorrectly selected temperatures – i.e. water temperatures that are too hot or too cold – can cause skin irritation.
Bath additives can irritate the skin and trigger allergic reactions.
After a sitz bath, you should dry yourself completely and only carefully dab diseased or injured areas of skin. Skin folds in particular should be dry.
Allow your body to rest sufficiently after a sitz bath – lie down for an hour if necessary.
Home remedies have their limits. If your symptoms persist over a longer period of time and do not improve or even get worse, you should always consult a doctor.
