Medical Encyclopedia: Sitz bath (Print Version)

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Medical Encyclopedia: Sitz bath

URL of this page: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002299.htm

Definition

A sitz bath is a warm water bath used for healing or cleansing purposes. You sit in the bath. The water covers only the hips and buttocks. The water may contain medication.

Sitz baths are often used to relieve pain, itching, or muscle spasms. The baths are often recommended to relieve pain and speed healing after hemorrhoid surgery or an episiotomy.

Update Date: 1/22/2007

Updated by: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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