Treating Eczema with Infrared Sauna Therapy
Infrared saunas have become increasingly popular over recent years.
Unlike a traditional sauna which heats the air around you, an infrared sauna uses infrared light to warm your body directly. The infrared lamps and electromagnetic radiation penetrate through the skin and deliver heat to the body; reaching the human tissue before the air is able. Because of this, infrared saunas can function at a far lower temperature than the traditional sauna while still providing the benefits.
What are some of the therapeutic benefits of infrared sauna therapy?
- Muscle and joint pain relief
- Emotional stress reduction
- Restful sleep promotion
- Improved circulation
- Body detoxification
- Skin rejuvenation
It’s common knowledge that heat therapy works wonders on sore muscles. Considering the common use of mattress heating pads, it’s also clear that it can effectively reduce stress and encourage better sleep. Vasodilation the widening of blood vessels in response to heat, causes the body to sweat – excreting small amounts of toxins we’re exposed to on a regular basis.
Skin rejuvenation, the sixth benefit listed above, might be a lesser known effect of sauna therapy. In this article we’re going to narrow in on eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, and how infrared sauna therapy can benefit this common skin condition.
What is Eczema?
Eczema is a skin condition that causes dry, itchy, inflamed skin.
It is partially caused by an overreaction of the immune system. What happens is that the skin’s immune cells send inflammatory signals to the skin’s surface, leading to dryness and itching. Rather than regulating tissue homeostasis, the immune cells prompt you to scratch the itchy skin. This in turn further breaks down the superficial layer of skin cells – which invites germs, allergens, and irritants to permeate into the body. In response to the presence of invaders, the immune cells transmit even more inflammatory signals to the skin’s surface, worsening the dryness and itchiness. Without treatment, the vicious cycle will continue.
The onset of eczema can occur at any age, but most commonly affects children. It’s a chronic condition characterized by flare ups. In addition to the dryness, itchiness, and redness, it can also be accompanied by raised bumps, oozing, and skin thickening. Untreated eczema can lead to the development of hay fever, asthma, sleep disturbances, food intolerances, skin infections, and hypo or hyperpigmentation.
How Infrared Sauna Therapy Can Help
Studies show that infrared saunas help to decrease systemic inflammation by reducing the presence of materials with pro-inflammatory properties. The heat produced by infrared light also promotes blood flow, which aids in the reduction of chronic skin condition symptoms. Healthy circulation delivers oxygen and essential nutrients to the skin, which visually improves the appearance of skin. Keeping the skin well nourished can prevent the eczema from progressing and also lower the frequency of flare ups.
Emotional stress can also be responsible for the onset and progression of chronic skin conditions. Your sympathetic nervous system controls your fight-or-flight response. When the SNS is triggered, the high level of stress can alter the body’s ability to perform its involuntary functions; one of such functions being the skin’s ability to repair itself. Infrared saunas promote relaxation, which combats the SNS.
While there is still no known cure for eczema, the delivery of infrared light to the skin lessens the severity of skin lesions, reduces inflammation, and eases skin-damaging stress. For those living with the skin condition, a regular visit to the infrared sauna can improve quality of life, skin appearance, and overall health.
Katrina Jenkins
Author, Licensed Massage Therapist
Katrina Jenkins graduated from Towson University in 2013 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science and worked as a nurse’s aide briefly before pursuing her true passion. She graduated from the Massage Therapy Institute of Colorado in April 2016 with honors and completed the Touch of Healers Scholarship Program the following summer. She has been a part of the Moyer Total Wellness Team since the summer of 2017.
Resources
Danny Bonvissuto (2024). Slideshow: How to Improve Your Circulation. [online] WebMD. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/dvt/ss/slideshow-dvt-improve-circulation.
Lambert, A. (2021). Stress and eczema. [online] National Eczema Society. Available at: https://eczema.org/information-and-advice/triggers-for-eczema/stress-and-eczema/.
Lindberg, S. (2018). Infrared Sauna Benefits: 9 Reasons Saunas Are Good for Your Health. [online] Healthline. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/infrared-sauna-benefits.
Mayo Clinic (2023). Atopic dermatitis (eczema) – Symptoms and causes. [online] Atopic dermatitis (eczema). Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atopic-dermatitis-eczema/symptoms-causes/syc-20353273.