Are Infrared Saunas Safe?

Infrared saunas got their start in Europe. They are becoming more popular here in America and if you go to a spa, gym, or even, at times, to see a physician, you may find them there. These saunas are not as big as the traditional one. The difference between them and a traditional one is that they use infrared heat to make you sweat.

One of the many great things about infrared saunas is that you can get all the health benefits of the sun without the harmful effects of the sun. Since it does not hurt your skin like the sun can, there is no need for you to wear sunscreen. Using them on a regular basis is not bad for your health. However, it is a good idea to limit the amount of time you spend on them because you may get a burn from the radiation. Even though you do need to keep that in mind, it is not possible for you to get permanent skin damage from them.

Even though they are safe, there are still possible side effects (just as there is with any kind of sauna) that can make your sauna experience unpleasant. However, if you are fully informed of what you need to do before you use a sauna, then you should have no problems when you use any of today’s best infrared saunas.

Dehydration

Dehydration is one of the most common possible side effects of using an infrared sauna. If it happens, you need to take care of being dehydrated as quickly as possible so it does not turn into a more serious issue. When you are dehydrated, it is because your body loses too much water usually because you sweat it out. It is okay for you to sweat some, but you have to ensure that you are not sweating too much. Dehydration is very serious, especially with little ones and senior citizens, so you need to watch them carefully in a situation where they could possibly become dehydrated.

To avoid becoming dehydrated while you are in a sauna, you need to ensure that you consume a lot of water before you enter one. When you are finished with the sauna, it is a good idea to drink water, juice, or sports drinks to rehydrate yourself. Alcoholic beverages are not good for you due to the fact that they will make you even more dehydrated.

Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is a more critical and serious type of dehydration. You can have a heat stroke if you do not use an infrared sauna like you should [1]. If you stay in it for too long or turn the temperature up too high, you can have a heat stroke. The reason for this is that your body cannot cool off as it should. A sign that you may be having a heat stroke is if you stop sweating. Additional symptoms of heat stroke are headaches, feeling queasy, dizziness, and your heart rate speeding up. If you have these symptoms, while you are in a sauna, you need to get out of it right away, rehydrate, and lower your body temperature.

Bruising or Swelling of Injuries

Infrared saunas are an ideal way to treat persistent and recurrent pain conditions like arthritis. They can also help heal other injuries. There are some exceptions to the healing that these saunas can do though. Certain side effects like enhancement of bruises or inflammation of a sprain or strain can get worse if you use a sauna not long after the injury took place. It is a good idea to wait at least two days after you were injured to use a sauna.

Making Illnesses Worse

Infrared saunas help many people every year with relief from pain and better health. However, some diseases and illnesses do not respond well to the high temperatures and sweating that comes with using them. People that have any type of heart disease, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, hemophilia, cancer, or multiple sclerosis needs to discuss with their physician whether or not the benefits of using an infrared sauna outweigh the side effects that may cause a sudden onset of their illness.

Heart Problems

The heat from a sauna can make the blood vessels in the heart dilate. That means that the blood will move with very little effort. If a person is hypertensive or they have other conditions where they need a moderate amount of exercise, the use of a sauna could be beneficial to them. On the other hand, if a person has recently had a heart attack, has an unstable angina condition, or severe abnormal narrowing of the aorta, should stay away from them.

Issues With Medication

There are times when the use of a sauna can have an adverse effect on how effective some medications may be. For anyone that is taking a heart medication, barbiturate, a diuretic or any medication that may limit their body’s ability to sweat or properly cool off, they need to get the okay of their physician prior to using one.

Also, if you are using a sauna for the first time ever, it is a good time to talk to your doctor beforehand. They can help you figure out if there are infrared sauna side effects that you need to be concerned about.

If you plan to use an infrared sauna, you just need to ensure that you do all you can to avoid getting the side effects of dehydration and heat stroke. Be sure to meet with your doctor and ensure that you will be safe when you use one. However, you should feel safe and secure in the knowledge that doctors use infrared light to keep premature babies warm in their incubators. Also, N.A.S.A. uses it to keep their astronauts warm. If they are trusted by doctors and government agencies, then it is very likely that you will be safe when you use an infrared sauna as long as you use the proper safety guidelines.