“Saunas are usually just too hot for the human body but not hot enough to kill the germs such as haemophilus and streptococcus. It is, therefore, important that such places do thorough cleaning and sanitization,” he says.
In hospitals, these bacteria may cause infections to patients with weakened immunity. However, in saunas, they normally cause no issues, because they are susceptible to both heat and dryness and cannot therefore survive at the bench level. The amount of fungi and mould in a sauna depends on the humidity.
Dry saunas range in temperature from 176°F to 212°F with a humidity less than 20%. This dry, oppressive environment is inhospitable for nearly all bacteria and viruses which thrive under cooler, more moist ecosystems.
A home sauna that's in regular use can be kept free from lingering bacteria by following the simple practice of curing prior to each use. Because saunas use mostly dry heat at high temperatures, they are (mostly) self-cleaning.
Heat doesn't kill viruses, it stimulates them. More than that, unless the heat is enough to damage your skin, it also encourages the growth of bacteria. You're much more likely to catch infections in a steam room than anywhere else.
The reduction in stress levels when using a sauna may be linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular events. One study, conducted in Finland, followed 2,315 men ages 42 to 60 over the course of 20 years. Findings suggested that people who use a sauna may have a lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.
Saunas use either dry or wet heat. A person may find that using a wet sauna may help with cold symptoms in a similar way to how steam may ease them. However, a 2017 study found that exposure to humid, warm air, such as in a sauna, has no effect on a cold.
Several factors can have an influence on how often to clean a sauna. However, if a sauna is used quite regularly, the recommendation is to clean it at least once a week.
Sauna and COVID-19
Such viruses are relatively resistant to cold and therefore are more likely to cause sickness in winter months. However, the protective lipid envelope is destroyed if the temperature is held between 55–65°C (131–149°F) for 15–30 minutes. Only one minute will do if the temperature is 80°C (176°F).
Certain communal living factors such as sauna use, crowding (e.g. shared bedrooms and bathrooms), and sharing of potentially contaminated surfaces and items (e.g. sauna benches or towels, particularly by children) probably contributed to the transmission of MRSA and high morbidity in the community.
If you notice any visible mold or bacterial growth, then you should clean the entire sauna with bleach in order to prevent further growth and potential damage to the wooden surfaces. With frequent sauna use, it is also important to mop the floor of the sauna with a wet mop and gentle detergent.
Humidity and Moisture: Saunas, by their very nature, are humid. This high moisture content accelerates mould growth – especially in an outdoor setting where ventilation may be limited.
Although sauna bathing does not cause drying of the skin-and may even benefit patients with psoriasis-sweating may increase itching in patients with atopic dermatitis. Contraindications to sauna bathing include unstable angina pectoris, recent myocardial infarction, and severe aortic stenosis.
If your heater uses stones, they will occasionally need to be washed as well. Be sure to allow the stones to completely air dry before turning on the heater. That is really about all there is to keeping a sauna sanitary. Because they use mostly dry heat, saunas are largely self cleaning.
Dry saunas optimally range in heat from 176°F to 194°F with very low humidity (<20%). These conditions are inhospitable environments for germs, bacteria, and viruses that can make us ill. According to the USDA, most common forms of bacteria that are pathogenic to humans cannot live in temperatures over 165°F.
People use their saunas for many different reasons. If you want to increase perspiration to encourage weight loss and removal of toxins you should shower before an infrared sauna (a hot shower) as this can help to up your perspiration levels. However, we do recommend that you should shower after an infrared sauna too.
Your sauna's heater longevity depends on the type of heater, how often it's used, and if your water is unusually salty or acidic, which may accelerate deterioration. In general, a sauna heater should last anywhere from 5 to 20 years. (Sauna heaters in commercial saunas are subject to much more vigorous use.
Thoroughly wipe yourself off after your sauna. Optionally shower 15 minutes later with room temperature or cold water. Hydrate all the time and during your session, but avoid restroom breaks that interrupt your session.
Saunas can boost your immune system by raising the body temperature and giving you an “artificial” fever.
Similar to how hydration promotes drainage, keeping your sinus cavities moist helps reduce sinus pain and enables mucus drainage. To keep your sinus cavities moist, consider trying the following: Use an air humidifier. Sit near steam, breathing it in from a sauna or hot shower.
The Myth of Sweating Out a Fever
Sweating is a sign that the fever cycle is shifting, not that the act of sweating is resolving the fever. Scientific Perspective: Research in medical science suggests that deliberately increasing your body temperature and sweating does not help defeat an illness faster.
But, if you're reading online about using an infrared sauna for liver detox, you're probably reading a quite misleading explanation of what is truly happening. A sauna doesn't detox the liver directly - instead, it helps detoxification processes become more optimal by removing toxins from the equation!
The effects of the sauna on cortisol and thyroid hormones are mixed, and the sauna does not seem to affect testosterone levels. However, animal research shows the sauna does improve insulin sensitivity, which is essential for body composition as well as muscle growth.