Connect with others who understand.

  •   Learn from expert-reviewed resources
  •   Real advice from people who’ve been there
  •   People who understand what you’re going through
Sign Up Log In
All Resources Treatments A-Z Personal Assistant Help Center Crisis
Powered By
Real members of myHSteam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Bathing! Do's and don't's?

A myHSteam Member asked a question 💭

What are some things that you use for baths? Any specifics on time and temperature? I use my bath about once or twice a month to bring down my stress levels.

I love bathing in warm water for at least an hour (costs of water makes it feel wasteful to do any less and I actually love staying in for a long soak) but I've been wondering if this causes flare ups due to the water temperature or the bath bombs.

I want to be able to enjoy my bath without worrying it might actuaaly make things worse, in… read more

April 24
 · 
Be the first to react
myHSteam

Baths can absolutely be a great tool for managing HS symptoms — so it's worth getting the details right so you can enjoy that long soak guilt-free! Here are some key do's and don'ts:

Temperature
- Stick to lukewarm water rather than hot. Hot water can increase inflammation and make symptoms worse
- Think "comfortably Show Full Answer

Baths can absolutely be a great tool for managing HS symptoms — so it's worth getting the details right so you can enjoy that long soak guilt-free! Here are some key do's and don'ts:

Temperature
- Stick to lukewarm water rather than hot. Hot water can increase inflammation and make symptoms worse.
- Think "comfortably warm" rather than steamy.

What to add
- Epsom salts are a popular choice — they can help with inflammation and are especially relaxing before bed, according to a myHSteam member.
- Colloidal oatmeal (finely ground oatmeal, about a cup) can help soothe itchy, irritated skin.

Bath bombs — proceed with caution!
- Many bath bombs contain fragrances, dyes, and allergens that can irritate HS-affected skin and potentially trigger flares.
- It's worth swapping them out for the gentler options above. About that long soak...
There's no strict time limit mentioned for regular baths, but if you ever try a bleach bath (more on that below), doctors recommend keeping it to 10 minutes max.

For your regular relaxation baths, keeping the water lukewarm and skipping the bath bombs is likely your best move to avoid triggering flares.

Bleach baths — a bonus option
Some people with HS use diluted bleach baths to help manage bacteria and reduce inflammation. If this interests you, definitely check with your dermatologist first, as it's not suitable for everyone. If given the go-ahead, the general guidance is ¼ to ½ cup of regular household bleach in about 40 gallons of lukewarm water, no more than twice a week, for 10 minutes. Always rinse off thoroughly and moisturize afterward.

The good news? With a few simple swaps, your monthly bath ritual can stay stress-relieving without working against you! 🛁

April 24

Related Questions

View All

HS tips ? Do's and don't's ?

A myHSteam Member asked a question 💭
Montreal, QC
November 2, 2022

Biologics and Pregnancy: 5 Facts
Sex and HS: myHSteam Members Share Challenges and Fears
Abscess That Turned Purple and Hurts: Causes and Treatment
Continue with Facebook
Continue with Google
By joining, you accept our Terms of Use, and acknowledge our collection, sharing, and use of your data in accordance with our Health Data and Privacy policies.
Already a member? Log In