Infrared saunas differ from traditional saunas because they use infrared light to warm the body directly rather than heating the air around you. This technology allows for a deep, penetrating warmth at lower air temperatures compared to a conventional steam or dry sauna. When you are feeling unwell, the question of whether to use an IR sauna is nuanced. Potential benefits for immune support and symptom relief must be weighed against the risks of placing extra strain on a body already fighting an infection. The decision depends on the specific illness, the severity of your symptoms, and how your body responds to heat.
How Infrared Saunas Affect the Body During Illness
The heat generated by an infrared sauna induces a state known as hyperthermia, which involves a mild elevation of the core body temperature. This artificial fever state can stimulate certain aspects of the immune response, such as increasing the production of white blood cells and heat shock proteins, which are important for cellular defense. However, the core temperature increase is an added physiological burden when the body is already working hard to regulate temperature due to illness.
The infrared heat causes a significant cardiovascular response because the body attempts to cool itself down through increased circulation. Blood vessels dilate, a process called vasodilation, which enhances blood flow and helps deliver oxygen and nutrients more efficiently throughout the tissues. This improved circulation can also help transport immune cells to areas of infection, potentially supporting the body’s natural healing processes.
The heart rate increases, which means the cardiovascular system is undergoing extra exertion. This effect is generally beneficial for healthy individuals, but it represents an additional workload for a sick body. The deep sweating induced by the infrared heat is also part of the body’s thermoregulatory effort, which primarily results in significant fluid and electrolyte loss.
Symptoms and Conditions Where Use May Be Helpful
Using an infrared sauna may offer temporary, localized relief for individuals experiencing only mild, non-febrile symptoms. The relaxing warmth is often found to be soothing and can help address generalized muscle aches and stiffness that accompany the initial phase or recovery stage of a mild illness. This relief is partly due to the vasodilation effect, which can improve blood flow to tired or sore muscles.
For mild respiratory discomfort, the warmth can sometimes feel helpful for clearing nasal passages and alleviating minor congestion. The heat may help to loosen mucus, making it easier to breathe for a short duration. Additionally, the simple act of sitting in a warm, quiet environment can reduce stress and promote relaxation, which may support the immune system indirectly by lowering cortisol levels.
Infrared sauna use is best considered during the recovery phase or when symptoms are very minor and localized, such as a mild head cold. The focus should be on short, low-temperature sessions, and only if the individual feels well enough to tolerate the heat. Any advice for use applies only when a fever is definitively absent, as the risks outweigh any potential benefits once the core temperature is elevated.
Critical Safety Warnings for Use While Sick
The primary contraindication for using an infrared sauna while unwell is the presence of a fever. When a person has a fever, their body’s thermoregulation system is already strained in an attempt to control the elevated core temperature. Adding external heat from a sauna can push the body into dangerous levels of thermal stress, potentially leading to overheating or heatstroke.
Dehydration is another significant danger because illness often depletes the body’s fluid reserves, and the intense sweating from the sauna exacerbates this loss. The depletion of water and electrolytes can worsen existing symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Adequate hydration with water or electrolyte solutions before, during, and after a session is mandatory to mitigate this risk.
Individuals should be cautious about combining sauna use with certain medications, especially fever reducers or decongestants, as these drugs can interfere with the body’s natural ability to regulate temperature. If symptoms include severe fatigue, nausea, or active infections like a chest infection, the body requires rest, not additional thermal stress. Any sensation of dizziness or increased discomfort during a session requires immediate exit from the sauna to prevent further health complications.