Can a Bar of Soap in Bed Cure Restless Legs Syndrome?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsIs a Bar of Soap Effective?Causes of RSLEffective TreatmentsWhen to See a Provider

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Is a Bar of Soap Effective?

Causes of RSL

Effective Treatments

When to See a Provider

While placing a bar of soap in your bed is unlikely to cause harm if you try it, no scientific evidence supports the claim. If you experience leg cramps or RLS, speak with your healthcare provider for treatment options.

Verywell / Laura Porter

Will a Bar of Soap Ease Leg Cramps and RLS?

Advocates say that something in the soap—magnesium,lavender, or even electrically charged ions—seeps into the skin and alters your body chemistry. Magnesium and lavender are popular additions to sleep aids. However, there is no evidence to support the claim that placing bars of soap at the foot of your bed will help relax your legs and ease leg cramps or RLS.

How Soap Is Used

Some say you should place soap at the foot of the bed. Others say it must be close to the location of the cramps. Under the sheet and inside a sock are two other suggestions. It isn’t clear how soap in such different locations could have the same effect on the legs.

To date, there haven’t been any scientific studies done to test the effects of a bar of soap on symptoms of RLS or leg cramps.

There is no medical evidence to suggest that bar soap can alleviate either restless legs or leg cramps.

Causes of Restless Legs Syndrome and Cramps

Leg cramps and RLS have different causes and risk factors.

What Causes RLS?

The cause of RLS is unknown. Often, RLS can develop without any risk factors.

Sometimes RLS occurs with other neurological disorders. It has been linked to a condition calledperipheral neuropathy, which is damage to the nerves throughout your body. It’s also associated withmultiple sclerosisandParkinson’s disease.

RLS can also be a problem during pregnancy. There’s some evidence that, in pregnancy, RLS is linked to lower amounts of the minerals iron, magnesium, and zinc.

In the general population, RLS is associated with alack of ironin the body.It may also be due to abnormalities with a brain chemical called dopamine.Dopaminehelps to control the way your body moves. Iron is essential for dopamine synthesis, which may explain why low iron states, like pregnancy, increase the risk of RLS.

Research also suggests RLS is linked with nerve damage in the legs from diabetes, kidney problems, certain medications, sleep disorders, and alcoholism.

What Causes Leg Cramps?

Leg cramps have different causes, and they can increase as you get older. Leg cramps can happen if you are low on electrolytes like calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Electrolytes are minerals that are needed for various body functions, particularly nerve and muscle functions.

In general, severe electrolyte imbalances are rare and can cause life-threatening complications, like heart rhythm abnormalities. However, mildelectrolyte imbalancesare more common and can affect anyone. For example, if you’re dehydrated or have over-exerted yourself physically, that could bring on a bout of leg cramps.

You may also experience frequent leg cramps if you have a condition that affects your fluid and electrolyte balance, such as diabetes, liver disease, or kidney failure that requiresdialysis.

Effective Treatments for RLS and Cramps

If a mineral deficiency is causing your RLS or leg cramps, your healthcare provider may start there. However, several additionaltreatment optionsare available to help you find relief.

Treatments for RLS

Your healthcare provider or a sleep specialist may suggest:

Prescription medications can include:

Treatments for Leg Cramps

Dehydration or low electrolytes are common reasons for leg cramping. If either is the underlying cause, drinking water or electrolyte-infused beverages can often help.

If cramps are related to overexercising, easing up on your workout or exercising in a cooler environment may relieve cramping.Stretching, massage, and heat application can also treat and prevent cramping. Warming up before exercising can be preventative as well.

Magnesium supplements are often marketed as muscle cramp relievers. However, they have not been definitively proven to alleviate leg cramps.

Currently, there are no medications specifically known totreat leg cramps.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

While there is no harm in placing soap in your bed, it’s unlikely to bring you relief, either. If your symptoms don’t improve, speak with your healthcare provider or asleep specialistabout research-backed treatment options to help you get the rest you need.

RLS and leg cramps can cause symptoms that affect sleep and daily life. Contact your healthcare provider for treatment advice if your symptoms are severe enough to cause the following symptoms:

Summary

It’s been said that tucking a bar of soap under your sheets can help to relieve the pain of leg cramps or the discomfort of restless legs syndrome.

There is no scientific evidence to support this home remedy. If you’re dealing with either of these health conditions, it’s a good idea to see a healthcare professional to identify the cause so you can find an effective treatment.

13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pharmacist’s Letter.Sleeping with soap will ease restless legs syndrome.Ghasemi M, Rejeh N, Bahrami T, Heravi-Karimooi M, Tadrisi SD, Vaismoradi M.Aromatherapy massage vs. foot reflexology on the severity of restless legs syndrome in female patients undergoing hemodialysis.Geriatrics (Basel).2021;6(4):99. doi: 10.3390/geriatrics6040099.Merck Manual Professional Edition.Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) and restless legs syndrome (RLS).NHS Inform.Leg cramps.Yıldırım E, Apaydın H.Zinc and magnesium levels of pregnant women with restless leg syndrome and their relationship with anxiety: A case-control study.Biol Trace Elem Res. 2021 May;199(5):1674-1685. doi: 10.1007/s12011-020-02287-5.Connor JR, Patton SM, Oexle K, Allen RP.Iron and restless legs syndrome: treatment, genetics and pathophysiology.Sleep Med. 2017;31:61–70. doi:10.1016/j.sleep.2016.07.028Hallegraeff J, de Greef M, Krijnen W, van der Schans C.Criteria in diagnosing nocturnal leg cramps: a systematic review.BMC Fam Pract. 2017;18(1):29. doi:10.1186/s12875-017-0600-xNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Restless Legs Syndrome.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS).Edinoff AN, Nix CA, Hollier J, et al.Benzodiazepines: uses, dangers, and clinical considerations.Neurol Int. 2021;13(4):594-607. doi:10.3390/neurolint13040059Al-Kassmy J, Alsalmi M, Kang W, Huot P.Anticonvulsant Agents for Treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome: A Case Report With Lamotrigine and a Review of the Literature.Neurologist. 2024;29(3):173-178. Published 2024 May 1. doi:10.1097/NRL.0000000000000552Maughan RJ, Shirreffs SM.Muscle cramping during exercise: causes, solutions, and questions remaining.Sports Med. 2019 Dec;49(Suppl 2):115-124. doi:10.1007/s40279-019-01162-1Garrison SR, Korownyk CS, Kolber MR, Allan GM, Musini VM, Sekhon RK, Dugré N.Magnesium for skeletal muscle cramps.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 Sep 21;9(9):CD009402. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009402.pub3.

13 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pharmacist’s Letter.Sleeping with soap will ease restless legs syndrome.Ghasemi M, Rejeh N, Bahrami T, Heravi-Karimooi M, Tadrisi SD, Vaismoradi M.Aromatherapy massage vs. foot reflexology on the severity of restless legs syndrome in female patients undergoing hemodialysis.Geriatrics (Basel).2021;6(4):99. doi: 10.3390/geriatrics6040099.Merck Manual Professional Edition.Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) and restless legs syndrome (RLS).NHS Inform.Leg cramps.Yıldırım E, Apaydın H.Zinc and magnesium levels of pregnant women with restless leg syndrome and their relationship with anxiety: A case-control study.Biol Trace Elem Res. 2021 May;199(5):1674-1685. doi: 10.1007/s12011-020-02287-5.Connor JR, Patton SM, Oexle K, Allen RP.Iron and restless legs syndrome: treatment, genetics and pathophysiology.Sleep Med. 2017;31:61–70. doi:10.1016/j.sleep.2016.07.028Hallegraeff J, de Greef M, Krijnen W, van der Schans C.Criteria in diagnosing nocturnal leg cramps: a systematic review.BMC Fam Pract. 2017;18(1):29. doi:10.1186/s12875-017-0600-xNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Restless Legs Syndrome.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS).Edinoff AN, Nix CA, Hollier J, et al.Benzodiazepines: uses, dangers, and clinical considerations.Neurol Int. 2021;13(4):594-607. doi:10.3390/neurolint13040059Al-Kassmy J, Alsalmi M, Kang W, Huot P.Anticonvulsant Agents for Treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome: A Case Report With Lamotrigine and a Review of the Literature.Neurologist. 2024;29(3):173-178. Published 2024 May 1. doi:10.1097/NRL.0000000000000552Maughan RJ, Shirreffs SM.Muscle cramping during exercise: causes, solutions, and questions remaining.Sports Med. 2019 Dec;49(Suppl 2):115-124. doi:10.1007/s40279-019-01162-1Garrison SR, Korownyk CS, Kolber MR, Allan GM, Musini VM, Sekhon RK, Dugré N.Magnesium for skeletal muscle cramps.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 Sep 21;9(9):CD009402. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009402.pub3.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Pharmacist’s Letter.Sleeping with soap will ease restless legs syndrome.Ghasemi M, Rejeh N, Bahrami T, Heravi-Karimooi M, Tadrisi SD, Vaismoradi M.Aromatherapy massage vs. foot reflexology on the severity of restless legs syndrome in female patients undergoing hemodialysis.Geriatrics (Basel).2021;6(4):99. doi: 10.3390/geriatrics6040099.Merck Manual Professional Edition.Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) and restless legs syndrome (RLS).NHS Inform.Leg cramps.Yıldırım E, Apaydın H.Zinc and magnesium levels of pregnant women with restless leg syndrome and their relationship with anxiety: A case-control study.Biol Trace Elem Res. 2021 May;199(5):1674-1685. doi: 10.1007/s12011-020-02287-5.Connor JR, Patton SM, Oexle K, Allen RP.Iron and restless legs syndrome: treatment, genetics and pathophysiology.Sleep Med. 2017;31:61–70. doi:10.1016/j.sleep.2016.07.028Hallegraeff J, de Greef M, Krijnen W, van der Schans C.Criteria in diagnosing nocturnal leg cramps: a systematic review.BMC Fam Pract. 2017;18(1):29. doi:10.1186/s12875-017-0600-xNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Restless Legs Syndrome.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS).Edinoff AN, Nix CA, Hollier J, et al.Benzodiazepines: uses, dangers, and clinical considerations.Neurol Int. 2021;13(4):594-607. doi:10.3390/neurolint13040059Al-Kassmy J, Alsalmi M, Kang W, Huot P.Anticonvulsant Agents for Treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome: A Case Report With Lamotrigine and a Review of the Literature.Neurologist. 2024;29(3):173-178. Published 2024 May 1. doi:10.1097/NRL.0000000000000552Maughan RJ, Shirreffs SM.Muscle cramping during exercise: causes, solutions, and questions remaining.Sports Med. 2019 Dec;49(Suppl 2):115-124. doi:10.1007/s40279-019-01162-1Garrison SR, Korownyk CS, Kolber MR, Allan GM, Musini VM, Sekhon RK, Dugré N.Magnesium for skeletal muscle cramps.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 Sep 21;9(9):CD009402. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009402.pub3.

Pharmacist’s Letter.Sleeping with soap will ease restless legs syndrome.

Ghasemi M, Rejeh N, Bahrami T, Heravi-Karimooi M, Tadrisi SD, Vaismoradi M.Aromatherapy massage vs. foot reflexology on the severity of restless legs syndrome in female patients undergoing hemodialysis.Geriatrics (Basel).2021;6(4):99. doi: 10.3390/geriatrics6040099.

Merck Manual Professional Edition.Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) and restless legs syndrome (RLS).

NHS Inform.Leg cramps.

Yıldırım E, Apaydın H.Zinc and magnesium levels of pregnant women with restless leg syndrome and their relationship with anxiety: A case-control study.Biol Trace Elem Res. 2021 May;199(5):1674-1685. doi: 10.1007/s12011-020-02287-5.

Connor JR, Patton SM, Oexle K, Allen RP.Iron and restless legs syndrome: treatment, genetics and pathophysiology.Sleep Med. 2017;31:61–70. doi:10.1016/j.sleep.2016.07.028

Hallegraeff J, de Greef M, Krijnen W, van der Schans C.Criteria in diagnosing nocturnal leg cramps: a systematic review.BMC Fam Pract. 2017;18(1):29. doi:10.1186/s12875-017-0600-x

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Restless Legs Syndrome.

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS).

Edinoff AN, Nix CA, Hollier J, et al.Benzodiazepines: uses, dangers, and clinical considerations.Neurol Int. 2021;13(4):594-607. doi:10.3390/neurolint13040059

Al-Kassmy J, Alsalmi M, Kang W, Huot P.Anticonvulsant Agents for Treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome: A Case Report With Lamotrigine and a Review of the Literature.Neurologist. 2024;29(3):173-178. Published 2024 May 1. doi:10.1097/NRL.0000000000000552

Maughan RJ, Shirreffs SM.Muscle cramping during exercise: causes, solutions, and questions remaining.Sports Med. 2019 Dec;49(Suppl 2):115-124. doi:10.1007/s40279-019-01162-1

Garrison SR, Korownyk CS, Kolber MR, Allan GM, Musini VM, Sekhon RK, Dugré N.Magnesium for skeletal muscle cramps.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 Sep 21;9(9):CD009402. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009402.pub3.

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