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The Dangers of a FIR Sauna

Unlike traditional or conventional saunas, which warm the air, the far infrared (FIR) sauna warms objects and the bathers via radiant heat. The use of FIR saunas may lead to various health benefits by matching infrared rays to the same frequency as the water in the body's cells, but what are the possible adverse health effects?

  1. Overheating

    • With any type of sauna, the biggest danger is overheating, which can occur when the body becomes dehydrated or is depleted of electrolytes and other minerals from excessive sweating. People in a FIR sauna should drink at least a half cup of water every 15 minutes. Two major problems that can occur are heat exhaustion and heatstroke, both of which can be fatal if not properly treated.

    Interaction With Drugs

    • There may be changes in the effect of certain prescription drugs due to an interaction with infrared therapy, according to healthyinfraredsaunas.com. People using prescription drugs should check with their doctor or a pharmacist before using a FIR sauna.

    Other Drug Effects

    • According to the-infrared-sauna-effect.com, tiny residues of certain medications used in the past and stored in the body may enter the bloodstream and cause the same effects they did when originally taken. Similarly, it is possible for a person who has taken hallucinogenic drugs in the past to experience another "trip" in a sauna.

    Implants

    • Surgical implants such as metal pins and artificial joints are generally not heated by infrared rays, according to healthyinfraredsaunas.com, but people with an implant should get medical advice before using a FIR sauna and discontinue use if they notice any pain near an implant.

    Silicone

    • Because silicone absorbs infrared energy, silicone implants or prostheses may be warmed by infrared heat, reports healthyinfraredsaunas.com. Anyone with implanted or prosthetic silicone should check with the surgeon about using infrared therapy.

    Effects on Skin and Hair

    • According to searchwarp.com, infrared saunas can dry the skin and hair. Possible effects are irritation of the nasal and lung passages and flakiness and itchiness of the skin. Some people notice reddening of the skin and feel sunburned after an infrared sauna.

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