Hemorrhoids Hot Water Treatment
Overview
Hemorrhoids or piles are swollen, inflamed, sometimes bleeding veins in the anal area. They may occur externally, around the anus, or within the lower rectum, and may be caused by straining to pass a bowel movement or by pregnancy. Symptoms include itching, anal discomfort, hard tender lumps near the anus and bright red blood on the toilet tissue or in the toilet bowl. According to the Mayo Clinic, about half of adults have to deal with hemorrhoids by the time they reach age 50. One of the easiest ways to soothe external hemorrhoids is with a warm water bath, also known as a sitz bath.
Step 1
Check to make sure the sitz bath basin is clean--wash it if necessary with a solution of three parts hot water and one part white vinegar, then rinse thoroughly--and place it on the toilet. Depending on the basin shape and toilet shape, you may need to place the basin on top of or below the toilet seat. Wiggle it to make sure it has settled firmly into place and will not shift beneath you.
Step 2
Use a bowl, if necessary, to fill the basin with body-temperature water to within 1 inch of the overflow drain. Test the water temperature occasionally with the skin on the inside of your elbow, not your hand, and adjust as necessary. Remember that you are going to be soaking a very tender part of your anatomy in this water, so it is more appropriate to use water that is warm or lukewarm instead of hot.
Step 3
Sit down on the sitz bath slowly, as your motion may cause the water to overflow through the drain basin drain. You may want to have a watch or clock nearby so that you can check the time and a good book or magazine to read.
Step 4
Remain sitting in the sitz bath basin for 15 to 20 minutes or as directed by your doctor. Once you are done, stand up and gently pat your anal area dry with a clean, dry towel. Make sure to pat instead of wiping.
Step 5
Clean the basin after each use. Use a solution of three parts hot water to one part white vinegar to disinfect it, then rinse thoroughly and dry. You will want to repeat the sitz bath as recommended by your physician, usually once or twice a day.
Tips and Warnings
- Some sitz bath basins may come with a water reservoir and tubing to provide continuous water flow, much like a bidet. Connect the tubing to the reservoir and thread it into the basin as necessary, fill the reservoir with body-temperature water, and hang it somewhere near the toilet, higher than the basin. You may find a bent coat hanger helpful in suspending the reservoir. Not every sitz bath has overflow drains. If yours does not, start by putting just 1 or 2 inches of water in the bottom, then sit in it to see how high the water rises. Continue adjusting until you have found the right water level to cover your hemorrhoids but not overflow when you sit down. If you do not want to use a sitz bath basin, you can do the same treatment by sitting in a few inches of warm water in the bottom of the bath tub. Always make sure your sitz bath basin, or bath tub, is clean before bathing affected body parts.
- Never add oils, herbs or chemicals to your sitz bath unless directed to do so by your doctor. Hemorrhoids are so sensitive that almost anything but plain water will irritate them.
Things You'll Need
- Sitz bath basin Bowl Clean, dry towel White vinegar
About this Author
Marie Mulrooney has written professionally since 2001. Her diverse background includes numerous outdoor pursuits, personal training and linguistics. She studied mathematics at the University of Alaska Anchorage and contributes regularly to such websites as eHow, Garden Guides, LiveSTRONG and Trails.com. Print publication credits include national magazines, poetry awards and long-lived columns about local outdoor adventures.
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