How to Do a Sitz Bath 

Hemorrhoids can develop for various reasons, making them a common medical condition. Therefore, you can find plenty of home remedies to help treat mild cases without needing hemorrhoid removal. The easiest and most effective hemorrhoid treatment is giving yourself a sitz bath. If you’re unfamiliar with what a sitz bath is – don’t worry! Here you can find out how to do a sitz bath properly so that you can make a speedy recovery. 

Your Guide to Sitz Baths For Hemorrhoid Treatment 

Giving Yourself a Sitz Bath

You can give yourself a sitz bath for hemorrhoid treatment in two ways. Choosing between either using your bathtub or a sitz bath kit. Depending on your choice, here are two instructions on how to give yourself a sitz bath. 

The Bathtub Method

• Clean Your Bathtub: Dirt & grime is rich in bacteria that can impede healing or, at worst, cause infection. Scrub & rinse your bathtub thoroughly before making your sitz bath.
• Filling Your Tub Up: Ensure you fill the tub up to three or four inches high with warm water. You should only need a little water & the water should be at a comfortable temperature that doesn’t burn. 
• Get Into The Tub: Step in & allow your perineum to soak for 15 to 20 minutes. The best position for a sitz bath is to bend your knees or dangle your legs over the tub’s sides to keep them out of the water.
• Drying Off Properly: When you step out, don’t rub or scrub your perineum with your towel – it can cause pain & irritation. So, gently pat yourself dry to avoid it. 
• What To Do Afterwards: Once done, rinse your tub thoroughly & keep in mind to give yourself a sitz bath one to four times a day, depending on your comfort. Remaining consistent helps to soothe your skin. 

The Sitz Kit Method

You can easily buy a sitz kit from any store or local pharmacy. A sitz kit comes as a round, shallow basin slightly larger than your toilet with a plastic bag and tubing. They’re perfect for those who want to avoid awkward seating positions from a bathtub sitz bath since you can sit on them after securing them onto your toilet.

Here is how to go about using a kit:

• Secure The Basin: After placing the basin on the toilet, ensure it stays by trying to move it. If it doesn’t, it’s safe for you to sit. 
• Prepping Everything: Pour approximately three inches of warm water before you sit, or use the plastic bag and tubing to fill the tub with water after you’ve sat down. 
• During Your Soak: Like a bathtub sitz bath, you will want to soak for 15 to 20 minutes. If it runs cold, you use the plastic bag to add warm water. Thankfully, with a kit, no overflowing occurs since it has a vent to prevent that. It just overflows into the toilet, which you can flush. 
• What to Do Afterwards: Once finished, stand up to pat dry gently. Again, avoid rubbing or scrubbing. Ensure you clean your sitz bath kit, so it’s ready for use again. 

Depending on your condition, you can take a sitz bath with or without medication. Some medical professionals can prescribe medications to put in a sitz bath (e.g. povidone-iodine, which has antibacterial properties). However, most people only use water without anything put into it. Alternatively, some want extra relief by adding Epsom salt, vinegar, or baking soda into the water to create a soothing solution. 

Award-winning, innovative and passionate, N.A. Hemorrhoids Centre is a hemorrhoid clinic in Calgary offering reliable hemorrhoid treatment. As hemorrhoid specialists, we can treat anal fissures, anal fistulas, anal abscesses, anal itching and more. As a naturopathic hemorrhoid clinic with an international reach, our services are the right solution to treat your sensitive and uncomfortable concerns. Contact us today at 403-796-7551 for more information or to book your appointment.