Soaking in a hot bath with Epsom salts , scented oils and candles is one of my weekly pleasures. It is a great way to relax while helping your body detox as it raises your core temperature, dilates your blood vessels, aids blood circulation, lowers blood pressure and draws contaminants out through your pores, along with many other benefits .
But there are just as many health dangers to hot baths as there are bonuses. At the risk of getting too personal, I’d like to share a recent traumatic experience with a cleansing hot bath so that others are aware of the dangers and can take the necessary precautions.
This post was updated with photos on November 4, 2009. It took me awhile to get over myself before publishing them. 
My Bath Tub Trauma
Normally, Sundays are my bath night so I can wind down the weekend and gear up for the week ahead. But this week was different. The weekend was exceptionally busy and by Tuesday morning, I woke up with a sore throat. I called in sick so that I could rest, give my immune system a chance to attack the virus and escape the otherwise inevitable cold. A cold would certainly slow me down – the last thing I needed or wanted.
Drinking plenty of liquids and grabbing lots of sleep, the afternoon brought an impulse to have a hot, steamy bath with Epsoms salts. I thought, “This’ll take care of any nasty cold virus; I’ll flush it out!”
The bath was heaven and a half an hour later I stood to get out…and fainted! I was lucky: my face broke my fall. It could have been much worse since we have a narrow bathroom and I missed hitting my head on the porcelain sink, toilet and heat register.
When I woke, which was only seconds later, I was on the floor. I lifted myself up slightly, blinked, and blood started falling to the floor in big drops. Disoriented, I stood and looked in the mirror and sure enough, I was bleeding through my mouth and nose. Grabbing a clean facecloth, I soaked it, held it to my face and stumbled into the living room to grab the phone.
I had no thought processes at this point, by the way. I was confused, I couldn’t get a handle on what happened, and all I knew was that I needed help. It was pure instinct that led me to grab the phone and call my hubby on his cell. I got out, “I need your help. I’ve fallen.” And before he had a chance to respond, I was out for the count again.
He was able to call 911 and told them our address before I awoke and called him again. As I tried to talk to my Love (he spoke to both 911 and me at the same time), I staggered around, naked, dazed and confused, attempting to figure out how to get dressed. I managed to get downstairs, unlock the door and greet the E.M.S. guys with clothes and with a VERY crooked smile on.
An ambulance ride over to St. Joe’s Emergency, an ECG (electrocardiogram), blood work and 7 hours in the Emergency and we’re still clueless to exactly how it all happened. My face is smooshed in. My nose escaped being broken but it makes a funny crinkly sound now, and it’s bruised and swollen. My lips, the same and split open.
This photo was taken the day after the accident. I was on the phone with my Mom getting the TLC I needed. By the way, my nose is usually NOT that big.
I’ve been singing, “all I want for Christmas is my two front teeth” in my head since because they are what took the brunt of my fall. You might not be able to tell from the picture but they were in the middle of my mouth.
At least until 800$ worth of oral surgery (so far) and a lot of pain as the dental surgeon (thank you, Dr. Pain!) reset them by pushing them back into their sockets. Two of my front teeth are chipped and Dr. Pain used a metal splint and wired the front four teeth together for stability while they heal.
Here’s me after oral surgery and a trip to my dentist for repairs to the chipped teeth, 3 days after the accident. Much better, wouldn’t you say?
Health professionals suggest hot baths may be dangerous for individuals suffering from obesity or having a medical history of heart disease, low or high blood pressure, circulatory system problems, diabetes or pregnant women and their fetuses.
So, this bath tub episode of mine is a complete mystery. I JUST had a physical examination on Saturday with my Naturopathic Doctor and I’m in top physical condition (my blood pressure was perfect). I’ve never fainted before and am a bath-time master. Now, the bath was hotter than usual and I did a bunch of abdominal exercises before I got up. Exercise has the same effects on the body as hot baths so perhaps I lowered my blood pressure double-time and coupled with getting up too fast…
I have an appointment with my G.P. tomorrow for more tests to make sure it was the circumstances and not an underlying health problem.
Will I ever enjoy another hot bath? Certainly! The benefits of baths far outweigh the slight possibility of this ever happening again. Do I recommend hot, steamy baths for others? Definitely for healthy people! Just do what my friend Denise suggests: pull the plug and pour cold water in to gradually bring your core temperature down. And get up slowly.
Man, what a way to learn a lesson! Please, please, please be careful with your bath-time fun!
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February 29th, 2008 at 9:49 am
I have a friend who is not a bath person, so she is likely scoffing at this comment!
Perhaps the virus lowered your blood pressure, i get dizzy when i’m fighting a cold, so maybe the cold, the heat and the jump up all came together to cause this.
I could not live without a bathtub! But your story is a cautionary tale. Remember that the sauna can cause internal trauma due to the heat, so hot baths can do the same.
if you are ovulating, a raise of temp of only 10 degrees will kill the egg, so clearly, it’s affecting you.
see you soon Cutie, let me know if you need anything!
February 29th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
February 29th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Yes, Denise, this strange phenomenon is probably due to the set of factors involved. And the bath was really hot…
It’s interesting to note a couple of morals in the story:
- moderation is key because life has equal opposites; so hotter ain’t always better
- while some things may be in our control, it’s sometimes best to surrender. Maybe I needed that cold because I was over-committing myself?
Instead of a day or two off from a cold, I got a week’s vacation at Casa del Pain!
Honey: thank you so much for speeding in at a 140k/hr to save the day. (I bet that was the best part, eh Babe?)
And I promise, from now on, I’ll only take hot, steamy baths with you.
March 2nd, 2008 at 11:48 am
This reminds me of a hanging my grandmother used to have in her bathroom,
“Conserve water – Bathe with a friend!”
March 2nd, 2008 at 3:13 pm
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:10 pm
December 3rd, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Tip: do NOT exercise in the bathtub. It was just a couple of crunches… anyways, the exercise, hot water, probably dehydration… was enough to lower my blood pressure enough that when I stood up, all my blood went to my feet.
Smack. Right on the tile floor.
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:42 am
July 4th, 2009 at 10:59 am
And I’m SO happy to hear that you still enjoy hot baths.
Steph
Head Health Nut
August 16th, 2009 at 12:23 am
August 16th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
Steph Miller
Head Health Nut
August 20th, 2009 at 3:58 am
August 21st, 2009 at 12:54 am
Pregnancy really takes a lot out of a woman and so I wouldn’t be surprised if it was a contributing factor.
Yes, I take my time getting out of a hot bath (which I just enjoyed before checking the blog) now, too. No need to repeat the trauma! Hopefully enough parents read posts like this one to teach their youngsters about the risks (as well as the pleasures) of hot baths.
December 1st, 2009 at 4:17 pm
December 5th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Ooooo… I tried your window tip and it was wonderful! The steam was thick and the sensation from the contrasting temperatures was strangely enticing!
February 28th, 2010 at 5:41 am
You’re the first person I’ve heard of with this same experience.
March 4th, 2010 at 1:01 pm
March 4th, 2010 at 10:58 pm
It’s best you go see your doctor and ask if it’s alright for you to take a hot bath. Your blood pressure is only one aspect of your health condition…
All I know is that I’m in my early 30’s and very healthy, and I still fainted from a hot bath!
From my experience, precaution in taking hot baths are always warranted. I’ve also learned that cooling the bath water down before you get out will lower your blood pressure and being extra careful getting out are good tips to still enjoying hot baths.
But go see your doc just in case!
Steph @ Live Lighter.org