How hygienic are saunas?

Author: Prof. Devin Koch MD  |  Last update: Friday, August 1, 2025

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.

How sanitary is a sauna?

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.

Is it common to get sick after a sauna?

Sauna has nothing to do with it,it can't create fever or make you sick.

Do saunas need to be disinfected?

Sauna Room Antibacterial Cleaners

To keep the sauna a safe and healthy environment, it is important to clean it regularly. Performing ongoing maintenance helps prevent the formation of wood stains, mold, mildew, and odor causing fungus.

Are you clean after a sauna?

Yes, so, the cleaning after sauna (with cold water, preferably) is so that your sweat pores wouldn't fill up with dirt that is on the skin. Right after sauna those pores are wide open as they have been doing their job (sweating).

Why Dr. Peter Attia Changed His Mind About Saunas | The Tim Ferriss Show

Should you wipe sweat off after a sauna?

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.

Is it OK to not shower after sauna?

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.

Are saunas germ-infested?

In terms of microbiology, a sauna does not pose a health risk, as the microbes that are typically found there are part of normal human flora. The amounts are usually too small to result in an infection, and microbes are unable to penetrate healthy, unbruised skin.

Why do you not wear clothes in a sauna?

CHEMICALS AND DIRT

The primary benefits of a sauna come from exercising your skin by exposing it to heat. Clothing blocks the heat transfer to your skin and holds the sweat against it that's trying to evaporate, negating most of those benefits.

Can you sweat out a virus in a sauna?

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.

Are there negative effects of sauna?

A sauna use may also cause blood pressure to fall, so people with low blood pressure should talk to their doctor to make sure sauna use is safe. People who have recently had a heart attack should also talk to their doctor first.

Why do I have to pee after a sauna?

How It Works: The heat in a sauna makes you sweat, which reduces fluid levels in your body. To balance this, your kidneys may increase urine production to help regulate fluid levels. Why It Matters: -This mechanism helps maintain your body's internal balance, known as homeostasis.

What toxins are released during a sauna?

Though in many cases of needed detoxification the liver and kidneys will do a better job eliminating toxins than sweat will, heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, mercury, and cadmium were all found to be released in higher levels of post-sauna sweat than in urine, making sauna therapy more effective than other types of ...

Are saunas in gyms clean?

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.

Can you get staph from a sauna?

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.

Is it okay to sauna everyday?

So, always make sure you're well-hydrated before and after your sauna or steam room sesh. You may be at risk if you've recently had a heart attack or any other cardiovascular issues, like high blood pressure, adds Dr. Parikh. Overall, it is generally considered safe to use a sauna every day, says Dr.

Should you go barefoot in a sauna?

While it's generally best to go barefoot, there are a few situations where wearing socks in a sauna might be acceptable: Foot conditions: If you have a foot condition that requires protection or if you're particularly concerned about foot hygiene in public saunas, you might consider wearing thin, breathable socks.

Why can't you bring water in a sauna?

Water: Hydration is key when using a sauna. It's important to drink plenty of water before and after your session to replenish any fluids lost through sweating. You can bring a water bottle inside the sauna, but make sure it's made of plastic or another non-breakable material.

Can I take my phone in the sauna?

The short answer is that it's generally not recommended to bring your phone into a sauna. The high temperatures and humidity levels can cause damage to your phone's internal components, and the risk of overheating or even explosion is not worth the convenience of having your phone with you.

Can you catch things from saunas?

Know that saunas and steam rooms can be a breeding ground for germs. The steamy environment in your favorite spa has the potential to cause a few issues, said Robin Evans, a dermatologist based in Stamford, Connecticut. Bacteria thrive in warm and moist areas, making a steam room a hot spot for risky organisms.

Does mold grow in saunas?

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.

What temperature kills bacteria in a sauna?

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).

What is sauna etiquette?

Shower Before You Enter

Not only is this hygienic—rinsing off sweat, body oils, and any cosmetics—it also preconditions your body for the heat. Don't: Use heavy soaps or fragrances before entering. The hot air intensifies smells, and you don't want to overwhelm your fellow sauna-goers with a potent scent.

Can sauna burn fat?

Saunas themselves do not directly burn fat. The weight loss observed after a sauna session is primarily due to water loss through sweating, which is temporary and regained upon rehydration. With that being said, there are a few ways that saunas can have indirect benefits that may support weight loss or body mass loss.

What should you not do after a sauna?

After the end of the sauna session, you should not clean yourself with shower gel or soap, just apply some lotion.

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