A Soak Could Help You Find Some Relief Urinary tract infections are one of the most common outpatient consultations in the United States. They are one of the most common causes of fever in the young and elderly and can cause urinary incontinence in women. Yearly, around 250,000 cases of kidney infections or pyelonephritis occur among women in the United States. Costs for the diagnosis and management of urinary tract infections in the United States can reach up to a total of $2-3 billion dollars a year. It might seem like a simple infection, but it can be really costly when you think of it from that scale. It is an essential infection to treat because it can lead to serious complications such as sepsis and renal damage if left untreated. That is why a lot of other remedies are being tested to see if they can alleviate symptoms of urinary tract infections. This article will discuss how Epsom salt baths are good for UTIs, what benefits Epsom salt baths have, and how to prepare an Epsom salt bath. What are Urinary Tract Infections? What are the Symptoms? Urinary tract infections are infections of the parts that serve as the passageway of the urine out of our bodies; this includes the kidney, bladder, ureters, and urethra. Urine is a sterile substance that passes out of our bodies; therefore, the introduction of bacteria can lead to a bladder infection, inflammation, and pus formation that can lead to various symptoms. Symptoms of a urinary tract infection include pain and burning sensation while urinating, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, blood in the urine, and abdominal pain. What are Epsom Salts? What Do They Do? Epsom salt or magnesium sulfate is a white, crystalline water-soluble chemical compound that has been used for centuries to treat various illnesses. Epsom salts are commonly used to relieve sore muscles, stiff joints, itching, skin irritation, and sunburn and are used as relief for headaches or foot pain. Its uses in the human body are varied, and it has been found to provide relief for various ailments, which include urinary tract infections. How is an Epsom Salt Bath Good for UTIs? What Benefits do Epsom Salt Baths Have? Epsom salts provide several benefits for treating urinary tract infections. The primary benefit of using Epsom salt baths for bladder infections or urinary tract infections is to relieve pain. Epsom salt baths can help relieve pain and discomfort associated with UTIs. UTIs present with a burning sensation, pain while urinating, and cloudy urine. The warm, calming nature of Epsom salt baths has been shown to help relieve this. [youmaylike] If you soak in an Epsom salt bath, it can be helpful to reduce inflammation as well. Because they are rich in magnesium, they can help cleanse the urinary tract and aid in the healing process. The increased concentration of magnesium sulfate is believed to help change the environment in the urinary tract, which can lead to conditions unfavorable for bacteria to grow. It can help prevent bacteria from growing or multiplying when you soak in an Epsom salt bath and has a disinfectant property. Epsom salt baths can also improve the circulation of blood in the body. It can cause dilation of the blood vessels leading to improved blood flow, which also promotes the passage of cells that help in the body’s immunity. Epsom salt baths provide an overall relaxing and calming experience that can leave you feeling detoxified as well. Are Epsom Salt Baths the Answer to UTIs? Although Epsom salt baths may relieve urinary tract infection symptoms, there is not enough evidence to recommend using Epsom salts over established treatments like antibiotics. Epsom salt baths are currently home remedies that can be adjuncts to treatment but cannot be used to replace the treatment of urinary tract infections with antibiotic medications. In order to treat the infection, you should still take an antibiotic regimen prescribed by your physician. Are Epsom Salt Baths Risk-Free? Do Epsom Salt Baths Have Any Side Effects? Generally, Epsom salt baths are safe and don’t have a lot of serious complications. However, you still need to make sure that Epsom salt baths are safe for you. The most common side effects of Epsom salt baths include allergic reactions. So if you have an allergy to Epsom salt, it is better that you avoid this. It can also aggravate pain or discomfort if you have an open wound or breaks or scratches in the skin. If you have these, stay away from Epsom salt baths to avoid further complications. How Do You Prepare an Epsom Salt Bath? The general way to prepare an Epsom salt bath is to dissolve Epsom salt in warm water. Epsom salt is easy to find and can easily be bought in health and grocery stores. Recommendations include dissolving 1 to 2 cups of Epsom salt in a gallon of warm water to create a water-soak bath. It is important not to put too much to avoid irritation and drying of the skin. Let the Epsom salt dissolve in the water, which can take about a few minutes. If you have a bathtub, you can prepare it to submerge and soak in it. However, this can be done as you shower as well. When you have a bladder infection or a urinary tract infection, you can do a water soak for 15-20 minutes to help relieve symptoms. Rinse after every water soak. This can be done daily or on an average of 2-3 times per week. Doing this soak gives ample time in providing relief until the antibiotics start doing their work and control further growth and multiplication of bacteria, completely eliminating symptoms such as pain. If you think you have a urinary tract infection, consult your physician for an evaluation. Further, you should seek medical attention if you are experiencing any serious side effects from using Epsom salt baths. There are no studies that show that using an Epsom salt bath for UTIs will prevent or cure a urinary tract infection, so it is still important to go to the doctor for proper management. Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms of a urinary tract infection.
Latex Allergy Symptoms to Be Aware Of
A latex allergy refers to your immune system’s reaction to some substances found in natural rubber. These proteins are retained during the production of latex products which can then trigger allergies. There are several ways in which you could get exposed to products made from latex, and these are:
- Skin contact from latex gloves
- By inhaling the powder — most sterile gloves are coated with corn starch powder which is displaced into the air on opening the gloves
- Some medical instruments contain rubber, and when they come in contact with blood, they can trigger an allergic reaction
- By contact with the mucous membranes lining the eyes, mouth, vagina, and rectum
Although a latex allergy is more common among health workers because of their frequent use of latex products, others at risk of developing the allergy include:
- Individuals who use condoms, urinary catheters, or work with rubber frequently
- People who are allergic to food, such as bananas, pineapples, tomatoes, potatoes, and apples
- People with bone marrow defects
- Those with several other allergies and asthma
Allergic reactions to latex do not manifest the same way for everyone and, based on this, they can be classified into two groups:
Contact Dermatitis
This can either be irritant or allergic. Irritant contact dermatitis occurs as a result of prolonged and continuous exposure to the constituents of latex materials. This type is mild and typically starts at about 12 hours after contact. It is characterized by itching, tingling sensations, and scaling of the affected area.
Allergic contact dermatitis, however, is severe and delayed. The reaction is from substances used in processing latex and can be about 24 hours after contact. It affects more areas of the body and takes a longer time to subside.
Hypersensitivity to Latex
This type of allergy is the most severe form. Although it is not common, when it occurs, it can be life-threatening. It can present as allergic rhinitis with malaise, fever, cramps, and itching. There could also be systemic conditions such as chest tightening, low blood pressure, difficulty breathing, and an increased heart rate. This type of allergic response requires an urgent visit to the emergency room.
Symptoms of a Latex Allergy
Latex allergy symptoms can vary and depend on how much of the allergen you came in contact with and how your body responds to them. They could be mild, moderate, or life-threatening. Some of the symptoms include itching, small bumps all over the skin with some redness, and pain.
Systemic allergic reactions can appear as:
- Rashes and swelling in parts of your body that didn’t make contact with latex products
- Redness of the face
- Nasal congestion
- Teary eyes
In some uncommon instances, anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening allergic reaction, could occur. This manifests as:
- Oral, nasal, or facial swelling and pain
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty breathing
How to Get Diagnosed
Most cases that present in the clinic are diagnosed based on their symptoms and history of contact with allergens, including latex. In people who do not have symptoms but are concerned that they may have latex allergies, a skin test can be done. Your skin test could be a:
- Scratch test — the latex allergen is applied on your skin’s outer surface and is scratched to get it absorbed
- Intradermal test — a tiny portion of allergen is injected just beneath your skin
- Patch test — this requires sticking a patch containing the allergen on your arm for about two days
The scratch and intradermal test results take about 15 minutes, but the patch test takes days. Also, an allergen specialist has to be present during any skin test to manage any severe reactions before they become life-threatening.
When visiting a clinic, it is vital that you inform the staff of your allergies so they can use alternative materials to avoid a reaction.
Examples of Products Containing Latex and Alternatives
When you think of latex products, it is easy to assume that most of them would be found within a hospital environment. Surprisingly, many common household materials contain latex, and as with most allergies, the more you are exposed to it, the worse the reaction becomes. Some of these household products include:
- Rubber dining and cooking utensils
- Children’s toys
- Rubber slippers and shoes
- Toothbrush handles
- Condoms and sanitary items
- Waterproof beds
- Rubber key handles, bands, stamps, and cords
- Rubber keys on controllers and calculators
Also, latex is included in some items such as balloons, checkout belts, buttons on machines, and gloves worn at restaurants during food preparation.
Therefore, it is important to be conscious of any latex materials in your household and have plastic or metallic alternatives for use. While shopping or using the atm, wear nylon gloves to reduce the chance of unconsciously coming in contact with latex materials.