Saunas, including infrared saunas, cannot be considered a “curative” treatment for Lyme disease and do not directly remove Borrelia bacteria from the body. Some strains of Borrelia bacteria are more sensitive to heat; for example, the ideal reproduction temperature for the Borrelia afzelii strain is around 33°C. This strain is primarily associated with joint symptoms.
The Borrelia garinii strain, which has a higher heat tolerance, requires an ideal growth temperature of around 37°C, but can also survive in animals with a body temperature of 39-42°C.
The effect of heat can theoretically improve blood circulation and immune response, but it is not sufficient on its own to treat the infection. Heat causes the body’s core temperature to rise to a certain extent, but not enough to safely destroy the bacteria, so we do not usually recommend it as a primary therapeutic tool for Lyme disease.
However, if a person is asymptomatic and tolerates it well, sauna use can temporarily improve general well-being, circulation and muscle tone, but some people may experience fatigue, muscle stiffness or temporary mobility limitations after using an infrared sauna. This is not uncommon, but it may be a physiological reaction caused in part by the effects of heat and fluid loss, as well as an imbalance in ion levels due to the loss of salt through sweating, rather than Lyme disease itself “worsening” directly due to the sauna.
At the same time, it has not been proven that the discomfort is due to the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction caused by the destruction of bacteria.
If you experience such symptoms after using an infrared sauna (e.g. difficulty moving, exhaustion, headache), it is advisable to rest, drink plenty of fluids, take complex microelement and mineral supplements, and see if you experience a similar reaction during regular, long-term use. If the symptoms are severe or persistent, be sure to consult a doctor, as there may be several factors behind such symptoms.
We have previously written in detail about the health benefits of saunas, as well as the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction.
(C) Lyme Borreliosis Foundation
