Sitz Bath

Drug Class:	Commonly Known As:	Category:
		Adult

Sitz Bath - What is it for

A sitz bath is a warm water bath used for healing or cleansing purposes. It helps to relieve pain from:
Episiotomy wound (a surgical cut made between the vaginal opening and anus to aid in the delivery of the baby)
Hemorrhoids or piles (painful and swollen blood vessels in the rectum or anus)
The sitz bath basin is a plastic tub that fits over the toilet, and is filled with warm water or salt solution. When sitting in it, the water will cover only the hips and buttocks.

Sitz Bath - Side Effects, Precautions, and Contraindications

What side effects can Sitz Bath cause?

Before taking Sitz Bath , what precautions must I follow?

What food or medicine must I avoid when I take Sitz Bath ?

Sitz Bath - Dosage and How to Use

How should Sitz Bath be used?

How should it be used?

Rinse the sitz bath basin to remove any soap or salt residue.
Lift up the toilet seat and cover.
Place the sitz bath basin over the toilet bowl, and fill it with approximately two-thirds of warm water, NOT hot water*.
Add approximately 1 – 2 teaspoons of table salt (if required), and swirl the water till it dissolves.
Carefully sit down in the plastic sitz bath and ensure that the solution covers the entire vaginal and/or rectal area.
Soak for approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
When finished, rise slowly and pat dry with a towel.
Empty the sitz bath basin, rinse well and allow it to dry.

*If you have been asked to use an irrigation bag:

Close the valve before filling the irrigation bag with warm water (NOT hot water) or medicine prescribed by the doctor.
Allow the fluid to run through the tubing to remove any air.
Hang the bag on a hook, and connect the end of the tube to the sitz bath basin.
Make sure the hole at the end of the tube is facing up.
Lift up the toilet seat and cover.
Place the sitz bath basin over the toilet bowl.
Hang the irrigation bag up (at approximately shoulder level) and sit down in the plastic sitz bath.
Open the valve and let the solution flow from the irrigation bag into the sitz bath basin, onto the affected area, until the content finishes.
When finished, rise slowly and pat dry with a towel.
Empty the sitz bath basin, rinse well and allow it to dry.