The best home sitz bath is made of durable plastic and is designed to sit inside the rim of a toilet. Certain designs of this model are also equipped to be portable for individuals who travel frequently. This type of item can be purchased from medical equipment manufacturers and through Internet ordering.
A home sitz bath is a basin in which one individual can sit to fully immerse their hips and buttocks in water. This type of basin is commonly used to treat hemorrhoids and the injuries that can be associated with childbirth. Other ingredients may be added to the water like bath salts, vinegar, and herbal remedies. These items are intended to reduce swelling in affected areas, stimulate blood circulation, and kill any yeast and bacteria growing in the region. Recipes for these remedies may be located online or obtained from a health care professional.
The best home sitz bath is one that fits comfortably around the rim of a toilet when the seat is lifted up. This design allows the basin to be completely filled with water, and contains several small openings in the back towards the top of the rim to allow for any overflow. The lower portion of the basin should be flat so that the user may sit comfortably on a level surface that does not contain any inclines or sloping sides. Fresh, warm water can be added regularly to the basin to maintain a constant temperature, while excess lukewarm water flows down into the toilet.
The basin itself should be made of a durable plastic. This material provides a maximum amount of support for the back and hips. It can also remain rigid within the opening of the toilet without endangering the user. Some varieties of home sitz bath are made of a soft vinyl which is inflated and placed over the toilet. This material, while somewhat softer than plastic, provides no spinal support, and can slip from the edges of the toilet. It also risks coming in direct contact with potentially inflamed and sensitive areas of the body, which may remain lifted away from the edges of the bath when using hard plastic.
This type of home sitz bath may be designed to be portable. Portable versions of this bath are also designed to be used with a standard sized toilet, such as one in a hotel or a motor home. They are additionally equipped with a travel water pouch containing a mild salt water solution for bathing. This water pouch is connected to the basin by means of a rubber tube. Consumers can attach the basin to any toilet to which they have access, and fill it using the provided pouch without the concern of transporting water into the small tub. Refill pouches may be purchased in bulk from online retailers.