bang.
He narrowly missed the hot wood stove.
He crashed onto the wooden floorboards and collapsed.
He just wanted to go to the sauna to cure his cold.
Was that a mistake?
In this detailed article from wellnessfuerdraussen.de we look at what happens in the body when you have a cold and what happens when you go to the sauna.
And what happens and can happen if you go to the sauna with a cold .
At a glance:
What happens in the body when you have a cold?
What different types of saunas are there?
What happens in the body when you take a sauna?
Going to the sauna with a cold: what are the advantages?
Going to the sauna with a cold: what's wrong with it?
Going to the sauna to prevent a cold?
Let's go.
What happens in the body when you have a cold?
Do you remember your last cold?
How did you feel?
The stuffy, runny nose, the scratchy throat, the headache.
We often feel tired and weak when we have a cold.
Climbing stairs or bending over is more of an effort than usual.
A cold can really throw us off track and make us feel like our body is working against us.
But what exactly happens inside when we have a cold?
Well, the beginning of a cold is often a runny nose caused by an upper respiratory tract infection.
This infection is usually caused by viruses and causes our nasal lining to swell and produce more mucus, resulting in a stuffy nose and a constant need to sneeze.
The viruses also attack the cells in our lungs, causing inflammation and increasing our urge to cough.
At the same time, our immune system produces more white blood cells to fight the infection. This can lead to fatigue and chills.
Additionally, when we have a cold, our bodies release increased amounts of histamine, a substance that can cause inflammation and swelling in the body. This explains why our eyes water and our noses and sinuses swell.
But don’t worry, our body is actively fighting this infection!
By supporting our bodies by drinking plenty of water, resting and keeping warm, we can overcome the cold more quickly and bring our bodies back into balance.
To judge whether it is good to go to the sauna when you have a cold, let's take a look at the different types of sauna.
What different types of saunas are there?
If you are a sauna lover and would like to try different types of saunas, there are a variety of options available to you.
One of the most well-known and popular types of sauna is the Finnish sauna. It is known for reaching high temperatures of around 80-100°C and producing dry heat. This promotes sweating and helps flush toxins out of the body.
A barrel sauna , especially the barrel sauna variant with a wood-burning stove, is used as a Finnish sauna.
Another popular type of sauna is the infrared sauna. Unlike the Finnish sauna, infrared rays heat the body and not the air in the room. The temperatures in the infrared sauna are significantly lower at around 40 to 60 degrees Celsius. This sauna is particularly suitable for people who do not tolerate high temperatures well or who have sensitive skin.
Another option is the bio sauna, also known as a soft sauna. This type of sauna uses lower temperatures of around 50-60°C, combined with higher humidity. This offers a gentler and more pleasant sauna experience, suitable for people who cannot tolerate the heat of a Finnish sauna.
You can use a barrel sauna with an electric heater as a bio sauna at home by combining the electric heater with a vaporizer.
Another popular option is the steam bath. A steam bath involves pouring hot water onto hot stones to create steam. The temperature is usually between 40-50°C and the humidity is high. This allows for deeper penetration of the skin and has a positive effect on the respiratory system.
Each type of sauna offers different benefits and it is worth trying different types to find out which one suits you best.
Reading tips:
Buying a barrel sauna: detailed guide
The 6 worst mistakes in barrel sauna care – and how to avoid them
What happens in the body when you take a sauna?
Sauna bathing offers a variety of positive effects on the body.
Dr. Johannes Wimmer has described this clearly in the video “ Sauna – protection against colds? ”.
Improved blood circulation is one of them. The heat in the sauna causes the blood vessels to expand, which increases blood flow. This allows defense cells to reach the infected areas more quickly and strengthens the immune response.
In addition, regular sauna use can stimulate the production of white blood cells , which play an important role in fighting off pathogens. This strengthens the immune system and supports the fight against cold viruses.
Another benefit of using a steam sauna or bio sauna is that it opens up the airways. The lower heat and steam in the sauna can open up blocked airways and help to loosen mucus and relieve the runny nose. This provides temporary relief from a stuffy nose and cough.
In addition, sweating in the sauna promotes the elimination of toxins from the body, which relieves the organism. This can help the body to recover more quickly from pathogens such as viruses and infections.
In addition to the physical benefits, saunas also have positive effects on mental health. Visiting a sauna often leads to deep relaxation and helps reduce stress. This is very important because stress can weaken the immune system.
Last but not least, sauna bathing can contribute to better sleep quality. The muscle relaxation promoted by sauna bathing supports restful sleep, which in turn is crucial for recovery from a cold.
Depending on the severity of the cold, these benefits also apply if you go to the sauna with a cold:
Going to the sauna with a cold: what are the advantages?
A sauna session can also offer some benefits if you have a cold.
The heat in the sauna stimulates blood circulation in the body, which in turn can help defense cells reach the affected areas more quickly. This can strengthen the body's immune response and help fight the cold.
In addition, sweating in the sauna can help to eliminate toxins from the body. Harmful substances such as bacteria and viruses are eliminated through the skin, which can speed up the healing process.
However, it is important to note that every body reacts differently to the heat of the sauna. If you feel unwell or weak, it is advisable to avoid a sauna session and instead resort to other methods of cold relief, such as sufficient rest, plenty of fluids and tried and tested home remedies.
Please remember: In order to go to the sauna with a cold and then benefit from the positive aspects, you should be a trained, regular sauna-goer.
Otherwise the following happens:
Going to the sauna with a cold: what's wrong with it?
If you have a cold, you should avoid going to the sauna.
A cold puts stress on your immune system, and the hot temperatures in the sauna increase this stress even further.
Your heart beats much faster than usual and your circulatory system is under a lot of strain to fight the cold.
When you go into the sauna, your body tries to avoid overheating, or "boiling", at the air temperature of 80°C - 100°C in the Finnish sauna. The body temperature only increases by 1°C - 2°C.
This means that in addition to the strain of dealing with the cold, the circulatory system must also cope with the hot sauna temperatures.
There is a great risk that your circulation will collapse.
Additionally, it can be difficult to breathe properly in a hot Finnish sauna with a stuffy nose. The heat and steam can further irritate the mucous membranes and clog the nasal passages even more.
Extreme cooling after a sauna session, such as a very cold shower or diving into an ice pool, can also be problematic, as the sudden change in temperature stimulates the mucous membranes and can cause the nose to become even more blocked.
This additional stress can make the cold worse and delay recovery.
We therefore recommend that you avoid going to the sauna when you have a cold and allow your body the rest and relaxation it needs.
By the way, avoid going to a public sauna when you have a cold, as you can easily infect other people.
What does this mean in concrete terms?
Going to the sauna with a cold?
It is not advisable to sweat in the Finnish sauna if you have a cold. The hot air can swell the mucous membranes and make the cold worse. It can also be difficult to breathe properly in the heat. It would be better to give your body the rest it needs to recover.
However, if you don't want to miss out on your sauna visit, you can choose the bio sauna or steam bath instead. In these sauna variants, the air is pleasantly warm and humid, which helps to increase blood flow to the mucous membranes and cleanse the airways. This can help you feel better and support the healing process.
However, remember that every body reacts differently, so you should pay attention to your body's signals and, if in doubt, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Going to the sauna with a sore throat?
Basically, if you have a really bad sore throat, it is better to avoid going to the sauna.
The heat and dry air can worsen symptoms and delay healing.
However, a mild sauna with high humidity can have a relaxing effect when a sore throat is just beginning or is already subsiding.
The moist air can soothe irritated throat mucous membranes and promote blood circulation.
However, if you decide to visit a sauna, there are a few things you should keep in mind: Avoid extreme heat and stay in the milder part of the sauna.
Take your time and allow yourself enough rest periods.
Drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated.
If your sore throat gets worse or you feel unwell while in the sauna, you should leave the sauna immediately.
Going to the sauna with a cough?
In most cases, you can go to the sauna despite having a cough, as long as there is no fever involved.
However, if you go to the sauna with a cough, it is important to choose a sauna with high humidity and low temperature (up to a maximum of 70 °C).
These conditions are particularly gentle on the respiratory tract and help prevent the cough from getting worse.
Even if you have a chronic cough, a sauna visit can have positive effects, as the heat helps to relax the muscles.
Going to the sauna with a fever?
If you have a fever, it is important to avoid the sauna.
There is a risk that the infection will worsen due to the change between heat and cold, as the immune system will be overwhelmed.
If the body is already struggling with elevated temperatures, the additional heat from the sauna can worsen the condition and lead to heat stroke.
Instead, to restore your well-being, you should get enough rest and drink plenty of fluids.
So the question for us sauna lovers is:
Going to the sauna to prevent a cold?
It's like sports. Doing it once doesn't help.
But regular sauna use trains the cardiovascular system and the immune system.
However, the key to success lies in regular application.
The alternation between a hot sauna and a cold cooling down afterwards is crucial.
The heat in the sauna causes the blood vessels to expand and the body to relax. This leads to an increased body temperature, which stimulates the metabolism and improves the work of the immune cells.
Cooling down after the sauna has the opposite effect: the cold causes the blood vessels to contract.
This alternation between heat and cold strengthens the immune system and promotes blood circulation. It is important to take enough time to cool down after using the sauna, as this achieves the desired effect.
Regular sauna use can strengthen the immune system and reduce the risk of catching a cold.
Conclusion
Finally, we would like to emphasize that when you have a cold, it is important to listen to your body's signals and take enough rest.
It is advisable to avoid visiting the sauna when you have a cold in order not to aggravate the course of the disease and possibly endanger other sauna guests.
Although the sauna can generally have a positive effect on the immune system, it is better to avoid it if you have an acute cold.
If you would like more information on how to properly deal with colds and tips for your sauna visits, we recommend that you consult your doctor or a medical professional.
You are also welcome to visit our website wellnessfuerdraussen.de to read more articles about the topic of saunas at home.
Remember that your health should always come first.
Listen to your body and give yourself enough rest, relaxation and care to get fit again quickly.
With this in mind, we wish you good health and, of course, many relaxing sauna visits when you are in top shape.