It is known that bath procedures have a positive effect on the body. You can add medicinal herbs, a pinch of sea salt, a few drops of essential oils. The bath removes fatigue well, cleanses the skin, and reduces muscle soreness. But is it possible to wash with a cold in the bathroom, take a shower? Often, we try not to go to the bath or shower until we are fully recovered. It is worth figuring out if this is correct?
Features of procedures
Perhaps every second person will argue that with a cold, cough, and even more so, a runny nose, spending a lot of time in a hot bath is undesirable. Moreover, doctors do not recommend immersion in a hot bath - this may be contraindicated for health reasons. There are many opinions that washing with a cold, feet soaring, when the body is "on fire" is not allowed in all cases. What do therapists think?
The patient has increased sweating with a severe cold with or without fever. A person is shown drinks with a diaphoretic effect, antipyretics. With clogged pores, the accumulated toxins are difficult for the body to remove. Therefore, it is imperative to swim in the bath. But without fanaticism. Only in this way the procedure will benefit the person who has caught a cold.
It is allowed to wash in hot springs with a cold, subject to a number of conditions. For example, you should refuse to drink alcoholic beverages. If you want to heal with mulled wine, it's better to do it later. And after that it is better to spend time with a cup of tea with lemon, a spoonful of honey than with a glass of wine.
If you want to swim with a cold, you should adhere to the following rules:
- Steaming is especially contraindicated for those who have a high temperature. If you wash like this with a cold, you can achieve an aggravation of the course of the disease, provoke an even greater deterioration in the condition. The water temperature is allowed not higher than 37 degrees.
- The time spent in the bathroom should be clearly limited. Indoors, the humidity indicator should reach 40-60%. Of course, in the bathroom it is much higher. This can provoke an exacerbation of a runny nose, cough due to an increase in the amount of mucus in the nasopharynx.
- In the shower, you should always use a hat. Washing with a cold, and wetting your head is not as useful as washing your body. Hair dries for a long time, during this time you can get caught in a draft, get even more supercooled, etc. If you wash your hair, you should immediately wrap it up in a towel, and then dry it with a hairdryer. It is better to swim in the bathroom or shower at night in order to put on woolen socks and warm up under the covers.
Herbal and salt baths
A bath with salt and medicinal herbs can be taken by adults and children. Chamomile, mint, linden decoctions, whole collections are added to the water. The patient breathes in vapors, the effect of inhalation is obtained. With the help of the procedure, it will be possible to alleviate the manifestations of the disease. Salt baths are useful not only for ARVI, but also for chronic diseases that are exacerbated by hypothermia. There are people who like to add to water mustard powder and so to wash with a cold. This should be done very carefully, do not take a hot bath with mustard when high temperature.
When a person has been feeling bad for several weeks, it is worth giving up the bath completely and going to the shower. it is necessary under the supervision of a doctor. he should appoint you, too, do not engage in amateur performances. If you neglect going to a specialist, you can forget about a speedy recovery and a fulfilling life.
Fever is a symptom of many diseases, most often colds. It not only impairs overall health, but also limits the most common life activities. Often, if you feel unwell with chills, you want to sleep, there is no appetite. When the body temperature rises, doctors recommend a good sweat, after which there is a natural desire to take a shower. In this regard, many patients have a question, is it possible to wash at a temperature.
The opinion of doctors
Most doctors believe that washing with elevated temperature perhaps, if a number of simple but very important conditions are observed.
- First of all, you must remember that you cannot take a bath with too hot water.
- Duration water treatments must be reduced to a minimum.
Important! Recent studies have shown that a properly prepared bath and the use of additional products, such as salt or essential oils, have a positive effect on well-being and promote a speedy recovery.
How to properly take a bath at a temperature?
In order not to harm the health of an already weakened body during an illness, you must adhere to the following tips while taking a bath:
- Do not wash in very hot water. And if you are a lover of a cold and invigorating shower, then during a cold it is worth giving it up.
Important! According to doctors, the optimal temperature of water for washing during illness should be 34-37 degrees.
- It is important to consider that there is high humidity in the bathroom. This adversely affects the condition of the lungs and respiratory organs during respiratory diseases... Prolonged exposure to a damp room increases cough and runny nose. For this reason, do not take water treatments for more than 10 minutes.
- After taking a bath, it is best to go to bed, which will even be beneficial to your health. If this is not possible, then lie under a warm blanket for at least 20 minutes after washing. A big plus would be a cup of hot tea or milk.
- In no case should you take a bath at a temperature while intoxicated. The illusion that the body in this case will be warmed both inside and outside is deceiving. This situation will only exacerbate the disease, especially if it is accompanied by a cough.
- Excessive stress on the body during hot water procedures is the key reason why you cannot wash at a temperature. It is advisable to give up taking a bath altogether in favor of a shower. If possible, use a washing cap to avoid wetting your hair and head.
- Any diseases of the circulatory system, and especially tachycardia and problems with blood pressure, are a categorical contraindication for taking a bath at a temperature. For people with these ailments, it is necessary to completely abandon water procedures until the temperature returns to normal.
The benefits of taking a bath at temperature
Despite the fact that doctors recommend strong restrictions on water procedures during colds, a properly prepared bath can improve the condition and help cope with the disease. Why, if you wash at a temperature, you can get a positive result? - There are several reasons for this phenomenon:
- First, during the flu and severe colds, aches and pains in the body often occur. Pain relievers are rather bad in this situation, and also work only for a short time. But taking a relaxing bath can relax muscles, thereby relieving discomfort.
Important! For this purpose, a hydromassage bath is perfect, which not only relieves discomfort in the body, but also increases blood circulation with the help of massage, which is useful for diseases.
- Secondly, steam procedures are one of the most popular in the treatment of diseases of the nasopharynx. The steam penetrates deep into the mucous tract and helps to cope with dryness, has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. For this purpose, you can take a warm bath with essential oils of eucalyptus, coniferous trees or lavender. It is recommended that you breathe deeply and often during aromatherapy, which will greatly relieve symptoms.
Important! The duration of such a water procedure should not exceed 10-15 minutes.
So, is it possible to wash at a temperature? - Definitely yes, if you follow all the recommendations. In addition, taking therapeutic baths will help to cope with the disease in the shortest possible time. However, if water procedures concern small children, then you should limit yourself to only 5 minutes of bathing in warm water only for hygienic purposes.
People often ask why you can't wash when you are sick. Let's figure out how water procedures affect our body, when you can and should wash, and when you have to refuse to take a bath.
general information
There is an opinion that at the moment when the body is attacked by viruses, water procedures weaken the immune system. Is this so and why is it impossible to wash when you are sick? There are some rules and contraindications for taking a bath during illness. Doctors recommend treating the procedure responsibly, then it will not only not hurt, but also improve your well-being.
The fact is that a warm bath usually has a beneficial effect on the body. In such healing baths they add sea \u200b\u200bsalt, various medicinal herbs and essential oils. Warm water can relieve fatigue and muscle pain. It unclogs pores and refreshes.
Then why can't you wash when you're sick? For colds and flu, many try to avoid water procedures before complete recovery, as they fear deterioration of the condition. How justified is this? Let's figure it out in order.
Medical opinion
Many doctors are surprised when they hear this myth and cannot understand why they cannot wash when they are sick with a cold or flu. Moreover, modern experts say that it is simply necessary to wash during illness. However, there are contraindications and recommendations for water procedures, which we will talk about below.
Colds can last for weeks, and avoiding taking a bath is simply unforgivable. The fact is that during an illness a person often sweats profusely, takes diaphoretic drugs. Sweat can clog your pores and prevent your skin from breathing normally.
Therefore, taking a bath during illness is necessary, it is beneficial. However, doctors do not recommend washing in.However, too hot baths are not advised even for healthy people. If the patient feels sticky, dirty, you can take a shower. Bathing in hot water is prohibited only if the person has a high temperature.
Rules for taking water procedures during illness
As mentioned above, you can take a shower or bath during illness. But do not forget that the body is actively fighting viruses and bacteria. But some patients still notice a slight deterioration in health after washing. So that the hygienic procedure does not delay recovery, you need to follow some rules.
1. In no case should you take a bath if you have taken alcohol shortly before. Often people with colds drink warm alcoholic drinks, for example grog or mulled wine. They do help warm up and sweat, but alcohol is not the best way out during illness. Such "treatment" must be abandoned in favor of folk remedies and medicines from the pharmacy. The liver is heavily loaded during illness, and it does not need extra work. If you do decide to drink a glass of hot mulled wine, then do not drink it either before or during your bath.
2. Do not forget that you cannot wash at temperatures, especially in hot water. While taking a hot bath, the fever will increase even more, which will aggravate the illness. The water temperature during swimming should be within 34-37 degrees.
3. Many are worried about how much you can not wash during illness. However, people rarely think that the time for taking water procedures should be limited. This is due to the high humidity in the bathroom. Normally, the humidity in the room should be kept at 40-60%. Lower rates (and this is often the case during the heating season) provoke the development of a cold.
High humidity also negatively affects the patient's condition. It contributes to an increase in the quantity and throat, which means that the cough and runny nose are aggravated and cause inconvenience to the patient. Therefore, the time spent in the bathroom should be limited. To reduce humidity, you can open the door slightly.
4. Take a bath during illness, preferably in the evening. After water procedures, you need to thoroughly dry yourself with a towel, put on warm pajamas, socks and go to bed. To prevent hypothermia, you can drink a hot drink, such as herbal tea with honey.
Essential oil baths
The bath can have a healing effect on the body and fight colds. You can buy essential oils that have antiviral effects. These are bergamot, tea tree, manuka, ravensara, eucalyptus, lavender oils. They boost immunity and help fight off colds early on.
Herbal baths
A herbal bath with decoctions of chamomile, mint, sage, wormwood or birch leaves will help alleviate the patient's condition. The steam from the water will serve as inhalation. A steep broth is added to water at a temperature of 30 degrees. The temperature is gradually raised to 37 degrees. Foot baths and steam baths bring relief.
To whom baths are contraindicated
There are times when you need to refuse to take a bath. Do not take it with oils or herbs that you are allergic to. An obstacle to taking a bath is the presence of such chronic diseases, such as circulatory disorders in the brain, varicose veins, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension. This procedure is prohibited if the patient has a high temperature or feeling unwell.
Swimming with chickenpox
Some people find that taking a bath during chickenpox can help relieve itching. At the same time, there is an opinion that you cannot wash with chickenpox. Which of this is true? Most ordinary people believe that you can wash after chickenpox only when the last crusts have fallen off.
But from doctors you can hear a different opinion. Doctors are convinced that warm water relieves itching, which can greatly torment the patient. But as with a cold, with chickenpox, you can start washing only after the temperature has subsided. You can take a bath or shower, at the patient's choice.
It is useful to add a decoction of a string, chamomile or calendula to the water. They will disinfect the skin and help the crusts to heal and dry faster. But it is forbidden to use soap and a washcloth, since the skin is already irritated.
You don't need to take a bath for long, but you can do it several times a day. Do not rub with a towel, otherwise you can rip off the bubbles. It is better to lightly dab the skin or let it dry naturally.
There is no need to beware of water procedures during colds, flu, chickenpox. So that they do not harm, you must follow some rules. A good bath will only alleviate the symptoms of the disease and promote a speedy recovery.
Viral infections are often accompanied by an increase in temperature. This indicates that the body is trying to cope with the disease. However, this condition is accompanied by severe discomfort. Therefore, many people are interested in whether it is possible to wash during this period.
Reasons for the rise in temperature
The normal temperature is 36.6 degrees. With an increase in this indicator, we can talk about the ingress of pathogens acute infection into the body.
An increase in temperature indicates the struggle of the body with the source of the disease. Also, an increase in such indicators provides the following effects:
- activates vital processes - defense reactions, the rate of production of antibodies and interferon;
- stops reproduction and eliminates pathogenic microorganisms.
Experts recommend lowering the temperature only after it reaches 38.5 degrees. It is at this stage that the load on the heart and lungs increases significantly. With a significant increase in temperature, there is a real danger to human life.
With a rapid deterioration in the patient's condition at not such a high temperature, it is also necessary to drink an antipyretic drug. You can also try to normalize your well-being in other ways. An effective way is a shower or bath at temperature. However, it is necessary to carry out water procedures correctly.
If the temperature exceeds 40 degrees, in some situations you can plunge into a bath with cool water. But it is not recommended to abuse this method.
While bathing, the skin should be lightly rubbed with a washcloth. Thanks to this, it will be possible to improve blood circulation and increase heat transfer. Often, to reduce the performance by 1 degree, you have to swim for 20 minutes.
Water procedures for infections
A bath or shower at a temperature is considered highly controversial. The feasibility of using such manipulation raises questions among doctors. Nevertheless, many experts advise taking into account not only temperature indicators, but also general health. In case of a serious violation of well-being, water procedures will only harm.
At the same time, bathing is an important procedure from a hygienic point of view. Of course, when the temperature rises, it is not recommended to stay in the bath for a long time, but a quick shower will only be beneficial. Instead of this procedure, in some situations, towel wipes are sufficient. After that, you must immediately dry yourself thoroughly and go to bed.
So at what temperature is it acceptable to take a bath? It is believed that water manipulation is prohibited above 37.5 degrees. Due to increased heat transfer, they can lead to blood redistribution. This will badly affect the body, which is already seriously weakened by the disease.
However, some doctors have a different point of view. They advise using bathing to reduce very high body temperatures. For this, the water temperature cannot exceed 36.6 degrees.
Thanks to the use of this method, it will be possible to significantly facilitate well-being. But this rule works only with red fever, in which there is no vascular spasm. White fever is a contraindication to using this method.
Bathing removes accumulations of harmful substances from the surface of the body, which leave the body with sweat. The shower allows you to remove toxic elements, germs and viruses. Therefore, the bath helps to speed up the healing process and increase the effectiveness of therapy.
If you need to urgently lower the temperature and do not have medications at hand, you can simply lower your legs into the pelvis with cold water... A cool shower will be an equally effective way. But this method is considered very radical and can only be used for adults.
If a person has viral disease, which weakens his body, it is very important to learn the basic rules. So, a bath at a high temperature cannot be combined with alcoholic beverages. If the patient drank hot wine, he will have to give up bathing.
In addition, you should not take a hot bath. This is especially harmful when the temperature rises significantly. This procedure will only lead to a deterioration in the human condition. The water temperature is at 34-37 degrees.
The duration of the procedure is also important. It should be limited as there is high humidity in the bathroom. This negatively affects the patient's well-being - it increases the synthesis of mucus, leads to an exacerbation of cough and increased symptoms of the common cold.
To reduce humidity in the bathroom, the door should be slightly opened during the procedure. It is also quite possible to turn on the hood.
Doctors note that water procedures are best done in the evenings. This is recommended before bed. Wear warm socks after bathing. You can also drink milk or tea with honey.
If a patient with a high fever and sore throat is about to take a shower, they should wear a bathing cap. For colds, it is not recommended to wet your head. Hair will dry out for a long time, which will cause hypothermia. It is also very harmful to sleep with a damp head - it will only aggravate the patient's condition.
If you still need to wash your head, wrap it with a towel after the procedure is completed. It is also quite possible to quickly dry your hair with a hair dryer.
If a person has no serious contraindications, it is very useful to add herbal decoctions to the bath. The following plants are best used for this purpose:
- chamomile;
- linden;
- mint;
- sage.
Thanks to the use of such products, the water procedure will become an excellent alternative to inhalation. By inhaling therapeutic vapors, it will be possible to alleviate the manifestations viral infection... However, before starting this procedure, you should still consult with your doctor. Some people have individual plant intolerance.
Bath visit when the temperature rises
Many people are worried about the question: can you go to the bathhouse with a serious increase in temperature? Experts categorically prohibit this procedure if the mark of 37 degrees is exceeded. In this case, there is inflammation, which the immune system is trying to cope with. This means that the human body is under serious stress.
Under the influence of temperature, the blood acquires a thicker consistency, which makes it difficult for the heart to work. If you go to the bathhouse in this state, there is a risk of a serious violation of the cardiovascular system, up to a heart attack.
It should be noted that with prolonged flu, you should not go to the bathhouse even after the temperature has returned to normal. Under the influence of heat, the cells of the virus can be activated. This will exacerbate the disease and dangerous complications... Against their background, there is a risk of pneumonia, chronic bronchitis or asthma.
Bathing rules for children
When the child's temperature rises, it must be bathed very carefully. It is forbidden to put a baby in a hot water bath. This will worsen the fever. There is also a risk of blood outflow into important organs, which will provoke a decrease in pressure. In this case, the child's skin will turn pale in the area of \u200b\u200bthe nasolabial triangle.
To avoid negative consequences, you need to follow simple rules:
- Start bathing 1 hour after taking the antipyretic agent. Before starting the procedure, you need to measure the child's body temperature - it should not exceed 37.5 degrees.
- You need to wash your baby in the shower. Don't put him in a hot bath.
- The water should be at a comfortable temperature for the child.
- After completing the water procedure, the baby should be gently wiped dry and put to bed.
- After the bath, give the child a warm drink.
Contraindications
There are many contraindications for carrying out such procedures at a temperature:
- It is strictly forbidden to carry out warming up after drinking alcohol. This will lead to increased heat and pressure fluctuations.
- It is not recommended to do such procedures for varicose veins.
- The risk group includes patients with hypertension and cerebrovascular accidents.
- It is not recommended to take a bath in the presence of pathologies of the heart and blood vessels.
- When adding medicinal plants to water, you need to make sure that there is no allergy to them. Particular care should be taken when bathing children.
- If you have diabetes, it is important to consider that there is a risk of low blood sugar levels as a result of bathing.
- Hot baths should not be taken by pregnant women at risk of miscarriage. During this period, water procedures can be carried out only after consulting a doctor.
Bathing in warm water puts a strain on the heart. This can lead to increased blood pressure and vascular disorders. Taking a warm shower is recommended to minimize the risks.
Doctors recommend that at elevated body temperature, rest as much as possible, drink hot liquid and take medications... You can also often hear recommendations that during this period it is better to refuse to take a shower or bath. Is it really?
Can I wash at high temperatures?
Washing by washing is different. Someone means by this procedure lying in a hot bath for 30 minutes, someone - just taking a shower. When the mark rises above 39 degrees, it is worth postponing this hygienic procedure until the temperature decreases. If it fluctuates in the range of 37-39 degrees, nobody canceled the hygiene procedures.
Check out our publication How often should I wash?
The disease can last for several days, in some cases even for 2-3 weeks. And this does not mean at all that you need to avoid hygiene procedures. FROMadmit that you and the people around you will not be very pleasant to hear an unpleasant smell from you, will you? You can refuse the procedure on days when the temperature is too high and has reached more than 39 degrees. On other days, no one canceled hygiene procedures.
Can I wash at 37 degrees? This temperature is not high, so you can feel free to take a shower or bath. The optimum water temperature is not less than 34 and not more than 37 degrees.
Of course, you will have to give up lying in the bathroom. The procedure should take a minimum of time, no more than 5 minutes. Do not worry at all! This will lead to the fact that the body temperature rises even more, your well-being will worsen.
What will happen if you do not wash at a temperature?
This is also not good, since during the illness the skin becomes even more polluted. The pores secrete a large amount of oil, and the skin accumulates a thick layer of dirt and sweat. Because of this, metabolic processes are disrupted, a rash may appear, and the elimination of toxins through the skin worsens.
Procedure rules
The water used must not be too hot, select a medium temperature. As for the duration, take a bath or shower for no more than 4-5 minutes. Wipe dry and wear warm clothes after the procedure.
Most of those who did take the risk of taking a hot bath at high temperatures report that their condition has worsened. That is why, even if you love taking a bath, we advise you to abandon the procedure and replace it with a warm and short shower. So you prevent possible complications and deterioration of well-being.