Shower Tools for Energy Conservation Shower Tools A few basic tools can help make showering easier for people with MS, and the good news is that most of them aren’t that expensive. Shower Chair A shower chair may be the most useful item you can buy, says Orlando. “Just the ability to sit down, so your body doesn’t have to do as much work holding you up, can do a lot of good.” Transfer Bench One variation of a shower chair is known as a transfer bench, which is placed with one end inside your bathtub and the other end outside it — to help you get in and out of the tub, letting you scoot along the bench. You can then continue to sit on the end that’s inside the tub while you wash yourself. Washing Tools Many handheld washing tools exist, with scrubbing surfaces ranging from brushes to sponges to loofahs. The important thing is finding what works for you, based on your preferences and mobility considerations. “If you go to the shower aisle, you’ll find different wands that can help you reach parts of your body easier,” says Orlando. Handheld Shower Head Having a handheld shower head, rather than a fixed one above your head, can also make rinsing a lot easier, especially if you shower in a seated position. A version with an extended handle can be very helpful. “With a long-handled hosed shower head, you can bring it close and reach behind you,” says Sandoval. Many handheld shower heads let you adjust the flow of water, including a button or lever that can reduce or pause the flow of water to make it easier to soap up without standing or reaching for the main faucet in your shower. Pump Bottles To help reduce the frustration of lifting shampoo bottles or holding a bar of soap, you can use products that come in pump bottles, including combination products that can be used on your hair and body, to save space and make showering more efficient. Nonslip Mat or Strips To reduce the risk of falling in the shower, using a rubber mat or installing nonslip strips or tape in your tub is a very good idea when you have MS. “If MS is affecting the sense of touch in your feet, you might not realize how slippery the floor is or that you’re beginning to lose your footing,” says Orlando.
For people with multiple sclerosis (MS) , taking a shower can be anything but a relaxing experience. Symptoms like leg weakness, dizziness, and fatigue can make it difficult to wash yourself and could even increase your risk of falling and injuring yourself.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976290aed2e81-21ed-439b-9d09-a5722f27092e While having MS can make showering more complicated, some strategies and tools can make the process easier and safer. And if your living situation and budget allows, modifying your bathroom in certain ways can help even more. Here are some ideas for easing your shower routine when you have MS.
How MS Complicates Showering How MS Complicates Showering Depending on your symptoms, MS can make showering more difficult or even dangerous in a number of ways. “Taking a warm shower or bath can trigger the heat sensitivity phenomenon and make symptoms worse,” says Alexius Sandoval, MD , medical director of the multiple sclerosis rehabilitation program at Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore. Even very small increases in your body temperature — which can happen if you take a hot shower — can slow or block the signals sent or received by nerves that are damaged due to MS. This can result in dizziness, muscle weakness, fatigue, decreased reaction times, or difficulty staying focused.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629cc45337f-d9ac-4b8a-bf66-dcb8ac9380d1 Sensory changes or balance issues due to MS can increase the risk of injuring yourself in the shower. “Showers can be fairly dangerous places,” says Christopher Orlando, MD , a neurologist and MS specialist at Keck Medicine of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. “There are wet surfaces that are easy to slip on and a lot of things you could bang yourself up on if you slip and fall.” Balance issues in MS can get worse in the shower because many people rely on their eyes to stay balanced. “If they need to close their eyes, such as if they have shampoo on their head, that can challenge their balance,” says Dr. Orlando. Leg stiffness or spasticity can interfere with getting in and out of the shower, and can make it harder to steady yourself if you slip or lose your balance. “Your body will have a harder time making quick, reflexive movements to catch you,” Orlando says. Many people with MS get fatigued easily, which can make it difficult to find the energy to shower — or to get anything done after your shower. “Even something as simple as taking a bath can take a lot of energy,” says Dr. Sandoval. While showering may not seem mentally taxing to most people, MS-related brain fog or cognitive impairment can make it difficult for some people to follow the normal steps that are part of washing yourself. “Sometimes in the sequence of steps you take to complete a shower, you might miss a step,” says Sandoval, which could lead to mishaps like forgetting to wash or rinse off part of your body.
Larger Bathroom Modifications Bathroom Modifications Bathroom modifications can be expensive, and major renovations won’t be an option for everyone. But it may be worth looking into whether your insurance covers modifications that your doctor says you need. “Definitely involve your doctor in that process so they can document your disabilities and the need for those modifications,” says Orlando. The process of going through insurance can be long and difficult, but it may save you money or let you make a change you otherwise couldn’t afford. Grab Bar One of the most useful bathroom modifications for MS is installing a grab bar in your shower. “A grab bar should be installed professionally,” says Sandoval, since it needs to support your weight — your life could depend on it. “Don’t use suction cups, and don’t use a towel rack for support in the shower,” he says. If the space in your shower allows, a grab bar should ideally be installed diagonally so that you can hold it in a standing or seated position, Sandoval says. Walk-In Shower When it comes to more extensive renovations, installing a walk-in shower is a good option for many people with MS, Orlando says. The most disability-friendly setup would be a curbless or barrier-free shower, which lets you enter the shower using a wheelchair or wheeled shower chair. This typically involves extensive modifications to your bathroom to ensure a seamless surface and proper drainage in the shower. Lighting and Visual Cues Other useful bathroom modifications, Sandoval says, can be installing better lighting or adding visually contrasting elements to help you recognize tripping hazards, such as a step or slope. Larger Changes If your space allows for it, you might consult with a home safety specialist about changing the layout of your bathroom or widening the entrance to accommodate a wheelchair. Ask your doctor about resources to help you make your bathroom safer and easier to use, such as an occupational therapist. “Don’t feel like you have to deal with all the difficulties you’re having,” says Orlando. “Sometimes you’re so used to dealing with them that you don’t realize how much help is out there.”
Changes in Routines That May Help Helpful Changes in Routine A number of habits can help reduce the risks involved with showering for people with MS, starting with making sure that you’re not using water that’s too hot. “In general, we recommend a lukewarm water temperature for your bath” or shower, says Sandoval. Temperature If you have numbness or other sensory changes from MS that make it more difficult to judge the water temperature, Sandoval recommends using an unaffected part of your body to test the water or using a thermometer. You can also help reduce steam buildup in your bathroom by keeping the door slightly open or turning on a built-in vent fan. Fatigue In general, it’s a good idea to take a shower when you have more energy and won’t feel too fatigued afterward. For many people, that’s earlier in the day — but don’t schedule a shower when you’ll be rushed. “Allow extra time after the shower to rest and cool down,” says Sandoval. But some people with MS take the opposite approach when it comes to fatigue, and they take a shower when they already feel close to exhausted. “If you run out of steam by the end of the day, some say to take a shower at night, so if it fatigues you, you can just go to sleep,” Sandoval says. Energy Conservation While you’re in the shower, you can reduce the need to bend down or reach up high by keeping your shampoo, soap, washcloth, and any other shower tools easily within reach. “There is a concept of an easy-reach zone, depending on whether you can stand,” says Sandoval — roughly from your knees to just above your head in whatever position you’re in. Another idea to help preserve your energy is to dry off using a terry cloth robe while seated instead of using a towel. This can reduce the effort used by your arms and upper body when using a towel. Safety For safety, many people with MS prefer to shower only when someone else is in the house with them, Sandoval says. You may want to leave the bathroom door unlocked “so that somebody can come in to rescue you in case you fall,” he says.
The Takeaway For people with multiple sclerosis, bathing in lukewarm water can help prevent heat-related symptom flare-ups. To manage MS-related fatigue, try scheduling showers when your energy is highest, or bathe at night so you can rest immediately afterward. Tools such as shower chairs, handheld shower heads, and nonslip mats can help you conserve your energy and reduce the risk of falls on slippery surfaces. Consider professional bathroom modifications like grab bars or walk-in showers. Consult your doctor or an occupational therapist to help document the medical necessity for insurance purposes.
