For many folks with disabilities, showering / bathing every single day just isn’t feasible. Sometimes, bad flares and mobility issues mean it’s quite literally impossible to get to the bath or shower.
Sometimes, we have such bad dizzy spells, or faint in the bath or shower, and need to rest for hours, days, and longer, just to recover. Sometimes bathing or showering severely exacerbates someone’s chronic pain. There’s a myriad of reasons why a daily bath or shower may not be possible for some folks.
As someone who (like most people) loves starting each day with a nice hot shower, it can be really difficult when you find yourself in a situation when you’re not always able to do that. But it’s possible to still feel clean and nice.
Here are a few of my tips:
1. Anti-bacterial wipes. The next best thing to showering. You can buy ones that are dermatologist approved, so won’t be harsh on your skin. Baby wipes are definitely useful too, but I find anti-bacterial wipes to be a bit better at giving that squeaky clean feeling.
2. No rinse shampoo. This is what the astronauts use to keep their hair clean in space. Can be purchased on Amazon for around $5, and works better than dry shampoo. Simply add to hair, comb through, and let dry. You can also add a spritz or two of water to help lather. Some brands are no rinse shampoo + no rinse body wash, so work as a two in one.
3. Spray bottles. I love getting spray bottles, and filling them with water and essential oils. Some oils, like tea tree, have anti-bacterial properties, so can be sprayed on feet or wherever you wish, to keep clean and free of odour (just be sure to dilute the oil enough, and add a carrier). Peppermint oil is also a good one to use. Rose oil is a favourite for simply smelling wonderful and ensuring the skin smells fresh and stays soft.
4. Split up tasks. If washing your hair and bathing at the same time makes you too unwell, or is simply an impossible task, delegating different days to the tasks often helps. One day, wash your hair in the sink (or, have someone help you if you can). The other day, wash your body. Also, if you are someone who likes to shave your underarms or legs, but find it too hard to do in the shower or bath, you can do so on your bed or lounge. You don’t need running water to shave. Instead, use a moisturising lotion on the skin before shaving to prevent dryness and cracking of the skin, and then shave the area as per normal. Wipe with a warm wash cloth.
5. Sink washes. Filling up the sink with nice warm water, and adding soap, can be a good way of freshening up. You can sit down next to the sink and use a washcloth to lather up and give yourself a clean. Less draining than a shower, and tends to cause less problems for people who are prone to syncope. It helps avoid the issue that hot running water can cause.
6. Get a shower hose attachment. You can buy a shower hose attachment which plugs into the tap, for around $10 online. This can be used for washing your hair in the sink, or for when sitting in the bath or on a shower stool. Many people find using these helpful.
7. Use a strong soap. Seems fairly obvious, but using a good, strong anti-bacterial soap when you do wash will mean you will remain cleaner, longer. When you do have good days, use that time to wash as best as you can.
8. Mouth wash. If you have mobility issues relating to your arms, and find it difficult to brush your teeth twice a day, sometimes just having some mouth wash to swill around your mouth really help freshen things up and remove bacteria.
9. Set out your clothes. Set out your clean clothes before you wash. This makes it so much easier. If you’re like me, and often need to rest for quite a while after washing, it really helps to have clothes all there, ready to be put on. I set them out on my bed where I know I’ll be laying down, and I get dressed from a supine (laying down) position. Also, having a nice cosy bathrobe to put on straight after a wash helps, because you can just relax and recover as much as you need to without feeling like you have to rush to get dressed.
10. Wear breathable fabrics. Not always practical, because depending on the climate, obviously sometimes we need to rug up. But wearing clothes made from cotton, for example, will mean your skin can breathe more and be less likely to accumulate bacteria and odour.
Lastly: I just want to add that I know it can be hard adjusting when you’re in a flare, or simply too unwell to shower every day. There’s so much stigma. But, remember that you’re doing the best you can, and what you’re going through is not your fault. A lot of people don’t realise how much of a luxury, and frankly a privilege, it is to be able to have a hot shower each day.
Also, if it makes you feel any better, dermatologists actually believe we only need to wash 2 - 3 times a week, and that daily showering is doing more harm than good, stripping our skins of protective oils. So, there you have it — if you’re in a situation right now due to your health that makes washing difficult, don’t feel bad about yourself, and remember that there are many ways to stay clean.
Please feel free to add any tips onto this post. I’d love to hear them.
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