Bathing with baking soda is one of the most natural ways to cleanse your body. It is a sustainable way of bathing, and unlike other soaps, it doesn’t leave a slippery floor. Made with the goodness of antibacterial and antifungal and antibacterial properties, it is a one-stop remedy for all your skin problems. It also treats various health issues like rashes, sunburns, provides pain relief, etc. Studies show that it detoxes your body and offers several other hidden health benefits. Let’s take a look at them here.
Facts About Taking a Baking Soda Bath
When you should consider taking a baking soda bath
1. Baking soda bath for Yeast infections
- Baking Soda is excellent in treating itchy skin as well as yeast infections.
- A study in 2013 showed that Baking Soda had antifungal properties.
- A study in 2014 also showed that it was effective in treated Candida infections, the same one responsible for yeast infections.
- Another study in 2005 verified that baking soda baths are effective in treating psoriasis.
[Read: Home remedies for Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)]
2. Baking soda bath for Diaper Rash
Every baby is bound to have a diaper rash sometime in their infanthood. There are many over the counter ointments available to treat them, but baking soda is a natural alternative.
A warm baking soda bath for rashes also prevents recurrence. It soothes the soft skin and brings relief from the constant rubbing of the diaper in the rash area.
You can use this by just soaking the area of rash instead of rubbing against the affected area.
Eczema is a dry, itchy condition of the skin that gets inflamed, cracked, and feels rough. The most common type of eczema is atopic dermatitis(2), which comes with itchy patches around elbows, behind the knees, and in areas where the body bends.
Baking soda cannot treat eczema but definitely alleviates the symptoms of it. Taking a bath with baking soda helps in reducing flare-ups, the itching, and redness of the skin.However, you must immediately pat dry the skin and moisturize it after a bath.
4. Poison Ivy and Poison Oak
Baking soda bath benefits us in treating poison ivy. The American Academy of Dermatology states that adding baking soda to a hot water tub is effective in providing relief from poison ivy.
Sodium bicarbonate, as its commonly known, is usually an ingredient for baking, but it also solves another purpose. Now that you know about its uses go for a baking soda bath for rash treatment if you suffer from poison oak or poison ivy.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease and is accompanied by scaly, red plaques on the skin. Although there is no guaranteed medical treatment for this, the focus is to manage its symptoms.
One natural way to manage the flare-ups of the disease would be to take a bath with sodium bicarbonate.
There may be a slight burning sensation if applied directly; hence a bath is recommended.
[Read: Home Remedies for Psoriasis]
6. Detox Bath
The best way to take a natural detox bath is to opt for Epsom Salt and Baking Soda bath.
Take ¼ cup Epsom Salt,1/4 cup Baking Soda, and add to hot boiling water. Mix them in a jar and keep aside. Prepare a hot water bath and 1/3 cup of ACV to it. Next, add the mixture and soak for a minimum of half an hour. This boosts magnesium levels in the body and soothes the body and skin.
7. Chicken Pox
Chickenpox is caused by a virus and is accompanied by symptoms of itching and cold-like symptoms.
Take a bath with 2 cups of baking soda and warm water magically heals the skin. Take this bath thrice every day to reduce the pain and itching caused by chickenpox.
8. Baking Soda bath for UTI’s
A kidney detox using baking soda prevents the spreading of bacteria and reduces damage caused to the kidney by E.Coli. Drink 1 tsp of baking soda mixed with water of you suffer from frequent UTI’s.
[Read: Foods to Avoid with UTI]
9. Vulvar vestibulitis
Take a bath with baking soda and soak for half an hour every day to reduce symptoms of this disease(3). It soothes skin and reduces itchiness.
To treat constipation naturally, add 1 tsp of Baking Soda to a quarter cup of water. Drink it. This reduces pain, bloating, and troubles associated with constipation.
The right procedure to use
Baking Soda Bath
Things you will need
- 2 cups baking soda
- Bathing tub of hot water
- Fill in warm water in the tub and add 2 cups of baking soda to it.
- As soon as it dissolves, soak yourself inf or half an hour.
- Use a clean towel and pat to dry yourself.
- You can do this twice every day.
Things to remember
It should be avoided by people who suffer from
- Skin infections
- Open wounds
- High blood pressure
- Faint often
- Allergic to baking soda
- Baking soda baths for babies must be done strictly under supervision. It is not very recommended.
If you want to cleanse your body naturally, you must take a bath with sodium bicarbonate. It is an inexpensive way to treat several health ailments which otherwise would require harmful medication and intrusive method of treatment. It has several antiseptic properties that are good to maintain overall skin health. Do not forget to get yourself a bottle of baking soda the next time you step out.
1. How to Use Baking Soda for Hives?
Sprinkle some baking soda and oatmeal to the water for a bath to reduce the itchiness of hives.
2. Is It Harmful If Ingested While Bathing?
It may possibly be. Prevent it from getting into eyes and ears and don’t drink it while bathing.