Important Lifestyle Changes: Personal Hygiene

Bathing

Having a hot or prolonged shower/bath widens your blood vessels, increasing the risk of feeling faint (presyncopal) and increasing heart rate. 

If you do feel faint in the shower listen to your body, turn the shower off and sit down to avoid injury in case you faint.  Finishing your shower with cool water may help. 

Here are some tips sent in by patients with autonomic dysfunction:

• Drink a glass of ice-cold water/clear fluid/electrolyte drink prior to getting the shower.
• Grab rails in the shower
• Tell someone you are going in the shower
• Sit on a stool in the shower
• Shower later in the day
• Wet room if finances allow
• Allow time after showering to rest in a horizontal position
• Use a shower cap to avoid wetting hair
• A wash at the sink or use of wet wipes are an option on a day when a shower isn’t possible. 
• Open a window to ensure the room remains cool and well ventilated.

Hair care

• Dry shampoo spray
• Brush hair whilst in bed

Avoiding getting sweaty overnight

• Linen or cotton bedding/ nightwear helps reduce sweating
• Sleeping with a fan on
• Cool packs at hand
• Use of cool mats in the bed
• Antiperspirant use over night

All the tips above are based on patient experience and opinion.

Thank you to Ruby Usiskin for producing the image. Subject to copyright by PoTS UK.