Taking a bath benefits the human body. This procedure not only cleanses the skin and pores, but also helps relieve fatigue, soothes and relaxes. But is it allowed to bathe in the bath with a cold? During this period, people often refuse to wash, because they are afraid to worsen their situation. Are they right or wrong?
Do you need baths for colds
A disease is not a reason to stop worrying about personal hygiene. It must be borne in mind that a sick person often sweats a lot. And this is just one of the reasons that baths for colds are necessary.
Doctors agree that immersion in moderately hot water during an illness in most cases is not only allowed, but also beneficial. The body warms up evenly and efficiently, which speeds up the healing process. However, each case must be considered individually. There are situations where taking a hot bath does more harm than good.
Indications
When should I take a bath with a cold? What indications for this procedure exist?
- Labored breathing. Staying in conditions of high humidity, exposure to warm steam - all this contributes to the rapid disposal of the common cold. Dry cough of the patient becomes wet, breathing is facilitated.
- Body aches. This problem is often encountered by patients with acute respiratory viral infections. Warm water will help relieve pain in muscles and joints. The general condition of the patient will improve. However, it is important that the water is just warm and not hot.
- Toxin poisoning. The human body suffers from poisons that secrete pathogens. Excessive perspiration is observed, which leads to the fact that pores are clogged. The elimination of accumulated toxins slows down. Taking a bath with a cold helps cleanse the pores. The healing process is accelerating.
- Depression. Some people easily endure the need to stay in four walls, observe bed rest. Others who feel the need for constant movement spoil their mood. Bathing in hot water helps to normalize the psycho-emotional state.
Important points
So, doctors give a positive answer to the question of whether it is possible to take a bath with a cold. However, a person must remember a number of important rules and adhere to them.
- Hot water and alcohol are an unacceptable combination for a sick person. There are people who drink alcohol to warm the body with a cold. However, during illness, it is better to abstain from alcohol. And certainly you should not plunge into the bath after a glass of mulled wine. It is also undesirable to eat one hour before swimming.
- Bathing with colds is not prohibited, but the duration of the procedure must be controlled. A long stay in a room where there is increased humidity is contraindicated to the patient. This leads to increased mucus production in the throat and nasopharynx. The question of how long you can swim, it is better to ask your doctor. Children are not recommended to do this for longer than 5-7 minutes, while adults can lie in the bathroom for 10 to 20 minutes (depending on the condition).
- The door to the bathroom should be kept slightly ajar. Thanks to it the humidity level decreases. All windows and doors in the house should be closed, this will avoid draft.
- Diving in hot water is best before going to bed. After the procedure, it is recommended to immediately get into bed and wrap yourself in a warm blanket. Be sure to take care of additional warming of the legs. Socks must be worn on them.
- After taking a bath during a cold, it is useful to drink a glass of warm milk with honey or a mug of herbal tea. These drinks will have an additional warming and relaxing effect that the patient needs. After that, you can go to bed.
Contraindications
As mentioned above, a hot bath for colds is not shown in all cases. There are a number of contraindications that are dangerous to ignore.
- High body temperature (39-40 degrees). Doctors are unanimous that in such a situation, hot water only enhances the symptoms of the disease. To maintain personal hygiene, you can take a short shower. Water should be warm, not hot.
- Chronic diseases of the heart and blood vessels, high blood pressure. In the presence of these factors, it is also recommended to abandon the bath in favor of the shower.
- Headache. Hot water will also increase the symptoms of the disease, and will not help to defeat it. There is a chance that the pain will intensify.
- Allergy. In the presence of a similar problem it is not forbidden to bathe in a hot bath. However, you should refrain from adding aromatic oils and medicinal herbs.
Consult a doctor
The unequivocal answer to the question of whether you can take a bath with a cold or not, is not always easy to give. Therefore, it is best for a person to discuss this issue with their doctor. If the doctor forbids the patient to bathe in hot water, then in no case should this ignore the ban. The doctor can also determine the optimal duration of the procedure, give other useful recommendations.
Ginger and garlic
How to enhance the healing effect of a hot bath for colds? This will require garlic and ginger. The ingredients must be cleaned, grated separately. Garlic gruel should be wrapped in gauze and then placed on the bottom of the bath. Ginger should be poured with boiling water, and then wait half an hour until it is infused. The resulting tincture is poured into the bath.
Bathing in water, in which garlic and ginger are added, is indicated for the first symptoms of a cold. The procedure lasts no more than 10 minutes.
Mustard
A mustard bath is indicated for patients with affected mucosa. Bathing in such water helps to quickly eliminate sore throat, cough. The procedure is shown and with a runny nose.
Preparing a mustard bath is easy. It is necessary to wrap 100-200 g of powder in a cloth or gauze, and then lower the bundle into water. Lying in the bath for longer than 10 minutes is not recommended. We must not forget that such a procedure can provoke tearing. If you put a sheet on the bath, you can avoid this.
Aromatic
Is it possible to immerse yourself in a bath with aromatic oils with a cold? This procedure is very useful, as it combines the effects of warming up and inhalation. Essential oils substances that kill pathogens enter the patient’s mucosa. The healing effect of steam is also enhanced. You can use one of the recipes below.
- Lavender. You need to mix soda and salt in equal proportions (6 teaspoons each), and then add 10-12 drops of lavender oil. All this is thoroughly mixed, added to water. Lavender oil has a positive effect on the state of the nervous system, helps with coughing. It is better to take a bath before bedtime, as it helps to fall asleep.
- Marjoram. You need to take 5 tablespoons of salt, add 5 drops of marjoram oil. The mixture is added to water. Taking such a bath eliminates body aches and relieves stress. For maximum relaxation, 5 drops of lavender are also allowed.
- Eucalyptus. It is necessary to mix 5 tablespoons of salt with 7-8 drops of eucalyptus oil. The resulting composition is added to the bath. This recipe will help the patient who is worried about body aches. The procedure also helps with a runny nose and cough.
- Sage. You need to take a cup of salt, add 2 tablespoons of oil. Then, tea tree, orange and sage oils are added in equal proportions - 7 drops each. The mixture is thoroughly mixed, poured with a small amount of water. Its addition to the bath will provide an antibacterial effect. It also helps relieve shortness of breath.
Herbal
Mankind has long known the benefits of various medicinal herbs. They have a healing effect with colds. For example, you can take motherwort, mint, nettle and needles (30 g each) in equal proportions, chop and mix thoroughly. The mixture must be poured with 2 liters of boiling water, after which it should simmer for about 30 minutes over low heat. After it can be added to the bath.
Good help with colds birch and oregano. Approximately 300 g of the collection of these herbs should be poured with 10 liters of boiling water. The mixture is infused for an hour, then filtered and added to the bath. Additionally, it is allowed to use sage, birch and mint leaves, this will enhance the medicinal effect.
How to take a shower?
The answer to the question of whether it is possible to take a hot bath with a cold is not always positive. In some cases, it is better to give preference to the soul. This allows you to take care of body hygiene and at the same time not to worsen your condition. How to make the procedure as safe and useful as possible?
- Water should be pleasantly warm, not hot. The optimum temperature is 35-37 degrees. Overheating will complicate the condition of the patient, increase heat.
- The door to the bathroom should be kept half open to avoid excessive humidity. At the bottom, it is advisable to put a non-slip mat. We must not forget that it is difficult for a sick person to stand on his feet.
- Standing in the shower for a long time is not recommended. First of all, this warning is relevant at high body temperature.
- It is advisable to refuse hair washing for several days. Drying hair takes a long time, especially if it is long. This can lead to hypothermia. Under the shower, the patient is recommended to stand in a special hat that protects hair from water.
- Taking a shower is often not worth it. It is enough to do this once a day. The procedure is best done before bedtime. Immediately after this, it is necessary to rub the body with a terry towel, put on socks, cover yourself with a warm blanket.
Conclusion
Sickness is not a reason to neglect the purification of your body. If the patient follows the rules that are described in the article, then he will not only not harm himself, but will also accelerate the healing process.