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How do I Use Soap for Leg Cramps?

Anna T.
Anna T.

If you want to use soap for leg cramps, you should put two to four opened bars of soap in the bed with you at night. Some people place the bars near their feet, while other people place the bars near the muscle that is aching. You might also want to put the opened soap inside of a sock or pantyhose so that it doesn't mess up your sheets. Most people try to replace the bars of soap at least once every few months with fresh bars. The brand of soap for leg cramps you decide to use is probably irrelevant because many people claim that any type of soap seems to help with their leg cramps.

Most experts agree that there is no definite medical reason as to why soap for leg cramps should work, but many people use it for that purpose regardless of the reasons. The idea of using soap for leg cramps has been around for many years, but the popularity of the method probably reached its peak when advice columnist Ann Landers reported having success with it. When she tried soap for her leg cramps and claimed it worked, many of her readers tried it as well. In spite of the fact that doctors and scientists cannot understand why the soap method should work, the majority of people who try it claim that it works very well.

Using soap for leg cramps is worth trying if you get them at night.
Using soap for leg cramps is worth trying if you get them at night.

The use of soap for leg cramps may be worth a try if you suffer from leg cramps at night. If you have leg cramps during the day, there are some other things you can do to help alleviate them. Sometimes warm water will help to stop a leg cramp, so you might consider taking a warm water bath or shower if your cramps act up during the day. Massaging your cramped muscles or flexing them might also get rid of the cramps. In the event that the soap method does not work for you at night, you might want to try the warm water, massage, and flexing remedies before bed so you can sleep better.

People who suffer from leg cramps may want to take a multivitamin that includes potassium.
People who suffer from leg cramps may want to take a multivitamin that includes potassium.

There are also some preventative measures you can take to stop leg cramps from developing. Some doctors claim that staying hydrated and taking a daily multivitamin might ward off leg cramps because leg cramps are occasionally the result of dehydration and vitamin deficiencies. You should also try to avoid sitting or standing in one spot for too long. If your job requires that you do this, try to take breaks as often as possible so you're not constantly in the same position. It's also a good idea to wear shoes that have proper support because continually wearing shoes that are worn out could contribute to leg cramps.

Discussion Comments

Rotergirl

I use good old Ivory Soap as a leg cramp remedy. It works. I don't how how, but as Pippinwhite noted, it's surely not going to hurt you.

I'd recommend using regular soap, though, not a glycerine soap like Pears. That's good soap, but the glycerine base would probably get really sticky over time, and I don't know if it would work as well. Ivory Soap is cheap and if it doesn't work, you haven't lost anything. Just put it in the soap dish in the bathroom and use it for its intended purpose. No problem.

Pippinwhite

This is one of those remedies that may work by the placebo method: people think it works so it does. Whether that's the case or not, the nice thing about it is that it cannot possibly hurt you. There's no way having a bar or two of soap in the bed is in any way harmful. As long as you're not allergic to it, why not try it? It might help the leg cramps.

I can say from personal experience that it does seem to work. I've tried it and have had good luck with my leg cramps diminishing quite a bit. I don't remember the last time I had a bout with them, in fact.

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    • Using soap for leg cramps is worth trying if you get them at night.
      By: Maridav
      Using soap for leg cramps is worth trying if you get them at night.
    • People who suffer from leg cramps may want to take a multivitamin that includes potassium.
      By: Nenov Brothers
      People who suffer from leg cramps may want to take a multivitamin that includes potassium.
    • Sleeping positions may contribute to leg cramps.
      By: vgstudio
      Sleeping positions may contribute to leg cramps.
    • Massaging or flexing cramped muscles may help better than using soap.
      By: Maridav
      Massaging or flexing cramped muscles may help better than using soap.
    • Staying hydrated can help to prevent leg cramps.
      By: beerfan
      Staying hydrated can help to prevent leg cramps.
    • A person should put two to four bars of soap in bed with a person at night if he or she wants to use soap for leg cramps.
      By: ksena32
      A person should put two to four bars of soap in bed with a person at night if he or she wants to use soap for leg cramps.
    • A lack of potassium, calcium or magnesium can cause leg cramps.
      By: stryjek
      A lack of potassium, calcium or magnesium can cause leg cramps.