Judi,

Hello! Welcome to the site. This decision is a personal choice. I decided years ago either to wash my hair in the sink or using cups in the tub to rinse off the shampoo.

Many will not do this but I avoid steam at all costs. I got used to taking baths. You do get used to the lifestyle modifications iover time.

Hi Judi,

NTM lives in the water supply. We get it into our lungs when we breathe it in or when it comes back up through our digestive system and goes into our lungs. Your doctor is right that you should avoid aerosolized water. This incudes hot tubs, inside swimming pools, saunas, and traditional showers. The issue with showers is that a typical showerhead pressurizes the water and creates an aerosol that hangs in the air. Since you are in a small, enclosed space, it is easy to breathe that in. You need to change something in that equation to prevent breathing in the aerosol. Your idea is one answer. Here are a few other alternatives that you can try:

1. Install a rainfall showerhead that allows large drops of water to fall on your head without pressure

2. Install a Pall or similar .22 micron water filter on the showerhead to physically remove the NTM. These filters need to be changed on a regular basis.

3. Open doors, windows, etc. Use an exhaust fan and/or dehumidifier to keep the aerosol from building up in the bathroom

None of these plans are perfect, but each one reduces your exposure to breathing in NTM to some extent.

Great tips John. I adapted to a warm bath over the years. I leave the bathroom while the water is running, turn on the fan or open the window while I am running the water. The warmth of the bath, with Epsom without steam is therapeutic for me. We all make our personal decisions of what works best for us over time.

Glenys,

Hello! Welcome to the communityMany of us were advised to take showers to loosen up the mucus years ago. However, the steam in showers is not recommended for anyone who has NTM or Bronchiectasis since mycobacterium can be present in the steam.

Glenys,

In addition to the community support you receive here on BronchiectasisandNTM360, you can call one of our Patient Ambassadors directly by phone at (833) 411-5864. Our Ambassadors are real live patients with experiences similar to yours and understand what you may be going through.

You can also email us at info@bronchiectasisandntm360.org to get more information about showers, steam and mycobacterium

Our Ambassadors can’t provide medical advice but may be able to assist you with additional information and resources.

Chronic sufferer of bronchiectasis and NTM here. I also wash my (short) hair in the sink rather than in the shower, to avoid steam spray anywhere near my face. Mostly take baths, but I sometimes use a handheld shower head below the head/neck, while wearing an N95 COVID mask and basically standing near an open window by the bathtub, as there is no overhead fan in my NYC 110-year-old apartment's bathroom. I soak both my shower head and kitchen faucet sprayer head every month in vinegar, as a disinfectant. I am a lifelong swimmer, but now sorrowfully avoid indoor pools and steamy gym shower rooms as advised by my pulmonologist. Who knows if this is actually doing me any good, but I am trying everything I can to avoid infections.

NanM,

Hello! Washing your hair in the sink, cooler/ non steamy shower or bathtub is a personal decision. There are mixed views from our health care professionals . Some patients take risks and take full showers, others do not. Personally, I decided not to take the risk and I have adapted to washing my hair in the tub using plastic cups to wet it and rinse it off; I find this easier than to wash my the sink.

Showering/bathing has been one of the hardest adjustments for me. I have neck problems so can't wash my hair in the sink, and not a fan of bathtubs (although I may give that another try). I took the shower head off the pipe so my shower feels like a garden hose now but my doctor advised big drops only. Has anyone tried this shower head: https://shopshowerclear.com/products/brushed-nickel-shower-head

Travel is always a challenge as I'm reluctant to remove shower heads in hotels or rental properties so I try quick wet & rinse and turn off the water in between. Still feels like I'm taking a risk every time though.

Hi Jill,

While traveling, you can zip a mesh laundry bag designed for washing delicates around the shower head. It will consolidate the water into big drops. If you don't have one, tie a towel around the shower head and it will do the same.

At home, you can either use a rainfall shower head or get an inline .22 micron filter.

Jill,

I have not used the ShopShowerClear product.