Are you one of the fifty million people in the United States who suffer from allergies? If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you probably approach each new allergy season with a certain amount of dread.
An allergic reaction brought on by the changing of the seasons might make you feel very ill. Surprisingly, it is your immune system that is responsible for initiating an allergic reaction in you.
Those who suffer from allergies are always looking for ways to get relief. One option you may have heard about is regularly swimming in an infrared sauna.
But does a sauna help with allergies, or is that just a myth? We looked at the research and here’s what it says.
Does A Sauna Help With Allergies?
The short answer to that is yes; saunas can help with allergies.
However, not all saunas can relieve allergies. And not all types of allergies can be relieved by saunas.
Sauna bathing may help with allergies for many people. However, it will not provide much, if any, relief for everyone who suffers from allergies. Not all people are the same, and not all allergies are the same. And the severity of their allergies can be thought of as existing on a spectrum.
There are some people who will never be able to improve their tolerance to, for example, peanut butter or shellfish. And as a result, these types of food will continue to pose a risk to them throughout their entire lives.
However, a sizable segment of the allergic population will experience a significant reduction in the severity of their reactions with the consistent use of infrared saunas. This is the case for those who are sensitive to foods or airborne particles.
Multiple studies show that spending time in an infrared sauna can help reduce the severity of chronic allergy problems. And you can use infrared (IR) saunas in place of, or in addition to, other allergy treatments. This is because a sauna does not have any of the side effects associated with conventional medications.
Infrared saunas have been proven to be effective in reducing allergy symptoms by scientific research. In one of the studies, the participants received infrared treatment first thing in the morning for a period of seven days.
Participants reported an improvement in every one of their symptoms. This included symptoms like sneezing, stuffy nose, and itchy nose and eyes.
The finding of a research project conducted at Khon Kaen University in Thailand is even more impressive. This research showed that regular usage of an infrared sauna for a period of six weeks had a positive effect on the body’s Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), which comprises the immune system.
Participants in this study reported feeling less ill after. The researchers also saw a reduction in the hyperactive component of the ANS, which is responsible for bringing on allergic reactions.
In conclusion, infrared can improve your allergy symptoms, just not all of the time.
