Disclaimer: I am not a nurse. I am a disabled person who has some kind of chronic undiagnosed condition where my leg sucks and I have POTS both these things make showering basically impossible for me. So I’m trying to give some hygiene/quality of life advice to my fellow chronic illness crew.
Good hygiene is basically somethings essential when sick, as it can ward off infections and help your immune system. Unfortunately, it is extremely tiring but super necessary to keep up.
There is no shame in that. Something that used to be easy for me (showering) now makes me pass out, run out of breath, and throw up. So, I have looked at alternative ways, as good hygiene can keep my really sick body from getting sicker. That's what this post and subsequent posts are made to do.
I have good arm and back mobility and can walk to the bathroom even on extremely bad days. If you have worse mobility, you might not be able to do some of these things, and that's okay. I just hope you can get some ease from at least something here, and I'm sorry if I am not the best source for you and your symptoms.
I just want to make it clear I will not tolerate any bullying or shaming under this post. You might be able to do all of these things as an able-bodied person, and that's cool, good for you. I can't. I am disabled. I can't maintain good hygiene in traditional ways, and I am making this post for people who also have that struggle.
So, saying all that, let's get into it.
The joys of all chronic conditions are that some days, you just straight up can not leave your bed. However, this doesn't have to just be information for the chronically ill, but anyone who is sick and trapped in bed, which sucks especially because you tend to become warm and sweaty and feel gross. So in this post, I will talk about making a bed kit to help keep yourself clean and healthy. I will follow this up with a second post later this week for ways to keep your bedroom fresh so you do not always sit in dirty bedding and stale, sick air. I will also discuss things like washing in depth and hair washing in another post, as those are the things you need more energy for than you would probably have when trapped in bed for days. This post is just for your hygiene and making a bed kit.
So, first, what is a Bed Kit?
Basically, it's a mix of toiletries and other things that are in easy reach for you to grab while you're trapped in bed. I'm going to list essential things first and explain why they are there, and then add items that will be a bit more expensive/require more effort if you feel up to them. The kit can be stored in anything from a plastic bag to a nice box; just be sure it's in reach for days you can't really move.
Baby Wipes/face cloth and a small body wash: On bad days, I think often the worst thing, sensory-wise, is how damp and sweaty you can get, and cleaning that sweat is usually super crucial to both your physical health and your basic level of comfort. So get yourself a pack of really wet Baby Wipes. (I know these things are bad for the environment, so you can use a face cloth and water from the bottles instead. Just be sure to leave the wet face cloth out of your kit when you're finished to get it washed, and have a pack of 5 in your kit if you are bed-bound for another few days.) Once you have your wipe/cloth, you will do what I call the pits and bits wash. This is exactly what it sounds like, so add a tiny amount of body wash (not enough to be sudsy, but enough to fold your cloth in half and rub it to get a bit of foam). For the pits and bits wash you are going to go in for exactly whats in the title and lightly clean over those areas, being sure to also add in any area where you might have extra cresses (like under your boobs) to wipe away all that sweat. You should try to do this when you wake up and when you're going to sleep, but if you can only do it once a day, that's fine. Do not push past your limit.
Face Wipes/Cloths and face wash: Use these in the same way as above. You can also use a cloth here, but be sure to use a different one on your face to prevent bacteria from spreading. If you are feeling up to it, you might want to put on moisturiser as well.
Hand Sanitiser: This is useful to have at your side, especially if you have to use hazardous materials such as injections and needles. However, don't overuse it if you don't have to, as it can dry out your skin.
Hand Lotion and Lip Balm: Yeah, when you're sick, you probably won't be able to do a full-body moisturise, and that's fine, but from my own personal experience, my hands and lips can get pretty dry, and sometimes, if they're too dry, they crack and open cuts, so it's just nice to have these at times. If you are prone to dry skin, I suggest having a lotion for your elbows and knees, but nothing more strenuous than that.
Two Water bottles: This kit will require at least two sealed water bottles. One should be taken to drink throughout the day so you don't get dehydrated/take medication, and one should be poured on your clothes and toothbrush to use throughout the day. Do not put anything into this bottle, as you might also want to drink that later in the day, which I'd recommend, since once a bottle has been exposed to air, the water inside can go stale, so there is no point in putting it back to save for another sick day. On days you feel healthier, I'd recommend using reusable bottles (preferably metal) to reduce plastic degradation. Still, you should be fine using bottled water from packs if that's easier.
Toothbrush and Toothpaste: Mouth hygiene is pretty important and expensive to address, so I recommend not skipping brushing your teeth. However, that doesn't mean you have to stand in front of the sink for 2 minutes when you don't need to. Put your toothpaste on your brush, wet it with water by pouring it over your bowl/basin, and spit into it. Don't rush to clean this if you don't need to. Dried toothpaste foam isn't going to kill anyone.
A Plastic Bowl or Basin: As I said above, this is to spit your toothpaste into, but if you are prone to vomiting, I recommend using a basin as it has a bigger surface area.
Hair Brush and Hair Ties/Band: If you don't have long hair, you're probably not going to get that sweaty tangle at the back of your neck, but if you have longer hair, you definitely will just want it out of your way when you're sick. I'd recommend getting into the habit of braiding your hair before you go to sleep, as that is the easiest way to keep your hair off your face and not cause as much tension as a ponytail/bun would. If you forgot or don't know how to braid, keep this brush handy. Brush your hair a few times a day (I'd recommend getting a cushion brush as it feels the nicest if your head is tender.) Don't worry if your hair is gross or oily, just try to keep it out of your face so it's not annoying you by braiding or using a cloth hair band to push it all back. (I am sadly not the best person to go to if you have a natural curl to your hair, so if you are someone who does and has a way of helping, please reblog this with advice.)
Tissues: Phlegm, vomit, and snot are a problem, so it's nice to be prepared.
Small Bin Bag: It's always a good idea to get a little roll of very small bin bags you can keep in the kit until they run out. This is just to keep your bed clean, to throw in your tissues, wipes, and whatever else, so you're not sitting in clutter. I'd also recommend using a septate bag if you used face cloths instead of wipes, so you don't just have wet clothes sitting beside you until you can get them washed.
Change of underwear: Changing your underwear can be a bit of a hassle when you're sick, but I would keep on top of it as it prevents infections and rashes from developing. Ideally, the best way to keep this portion short is to bring a change of pants when you go to the bathroom in the morning and change there. My best advice for your comfort is to get a multi-pack of cloth underwear, as pretty much all plastic-based fabrics can lead to infections if worn daily or if you keep them on long enough. I recommend baggy cloth boxers because underwear elastic can cut into your hips and thighs after a while, especially if you're sleeping and pushing skin against it.
These items are basically just little bits and pieces that might also help, but they are definitely not necessary to maintain good hygiene.
Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is a good lotion in some cases and has a pleasant smell. It can also be used for Oil Pulling, a practice you can Google that is good for your gums and makes your breath nice. (DO NOT DO THIS IF YOU ARE ALLERGIC OR NAUSEOUS)
Dental floss: This is an alternative to keeping your gums clean if Oil Pulling is not for you, but I would recommend one or the other, given how expensive dentistry has become.
Peppermint or Ginger Gum/Sweets: Both peppermint and ginger are great antiemetics and can leave your breath smelling a bit nicer.
Ginger Biscuits or Cereal Bars: It's important to have a snack that won't turn your stomach while you're bedbound.
A Small Pan and Brush: To sweep up crumbs in your bed so you can stay comfy.
A pillow spray: This will make your pillow smell nice and relaxing, even if you're in bed for a while.
White Tiger Balm and a Dressing Gown Belt/Scarf: Tiger Balm, specifically the white one, is arguably one of the best things I've ever used against tension headaches. It is especially great if rubbed into the temples, behind the ears, and the hinge of your jaw. Combining it with wrapping a piece of fabric around your head and tying it tightly can reduce head pressure and allow you to sleep.
Eye Masks: These are good for keeping out light if you really need to sleep, even during the day. They are especially recommended if you have light sensitivity.
Deep Heat/Deep Freeze: Great to have if you have a muscle or joint problem.
Udder Cream: This will sound pretty strange, but this stuff is magical as a joint pain aid, especially on the shoulders and back. I learned about it a while ago from some builders in the family, and it's definitely giving me some ease. However, be warned to use it sparsely and thoughtfully clean your hands after application so you don't touch your face, mouth, or any other orifice as it can burn them. It also smells like the strongest mint candy cane in the world but is good for easing muscles.
And with that, I'm done for now. I will be making little posts like this for the next few weeks and will set up a master post when I make the second one in the series. I hope this was helpful. If you can think of anything to add to these kits that is low-effort but good advice, I strongly recommend doing so. I hope you all have a nice day.
