Introduction
Scabies is an incredibly contagious skin infection caused by microscopic mites that burrow into the upper layers of the skin. It can be uncomfortable, and those with scabies often feel intense itching or a crawling sensation. Although home remedies such as over-the-counter creams can help relieve the symptoms, they may not be enough to eliminate scabies. As such, you may be interested in trying alternative treatments, such as an infrared sauna, in effectively killing scabies mites and their eggs on your body.
This article will discuss whether infrared saunas are effective against scabies and provide steps you can take to ensure that your sauna session is as effective as possible. Additionally, we’ll explain other methods and treatments you can use alongside infra-red saunas to get rid of scabies more quickly:
What are Scabies?
Scabies is a contagious skin condition caused by tiny mites that burrow into the top layers of the skin. The mites may cause itching, burning, and a pimple-like rash. They can spread from person to person through close contact or contact with infested items such as clothing, furniture, and bedding. There is no single effective treatment for scabies; instead, a combination of treatments may be necessary to relieve symptoms and treat an infestation.
Many people believe that infrared sauna therapy can kill scabies mites. This therapy increases body temperature and endeavors to increase circulation throughout the body to help detoxify it. Some scientific studies suggest that exposing scabies mites to high temperatures could effectively kill them, but more research is needed. In addition, it’s often unclear whether any benefits attributed to infrared sauna therapy are due directly to the treatment itself or to improved hygiene practices associated with frequent hot showers and increased body temperature following sauna use.
There is no evidence suggesting that heat exposure via an infrared sauna could be an effective method for killing scabies mites on its own; instead, it should be used in conjunction with other proven treatments such as prescription medications like permethrin cream or oral ivermectin medication. However, suppose you’re considering using an infrared sauna therapy for treating scabies mites. In that case, it’s essential to discuss this option with your healthcare provider before doing so to determine if this treatment option could benefit you specifically.
How Does Infrared Sauna Help Treat Scabies?
Infrared sauna therapy is becoming increasingly popular as an effective treatment for scabies. This sauna therapy utilizes infrared light to penetrate the skin and kill the mites that cause scabies. It can also help open up and cleanse your pores and reduce inflammation.
This article will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of infrared sauna therapy as a treatment for scabies.
Increase in Body Temperature
One of the main ways an infrared sauna helps treat scabies is by increasing the body temperature. It is because scabies mites are sensitive to extreme temperatures, and too much heat can dry them out and kill them. In addition, studies show that body temperatures above 110°F (43°C) can take away the mites’ ability to regulate their temperature; by increasing your body temperature, the mites die naturally. Therefore, an infrared sauna can help raise your body temperature just enough to have a combined effect: it soothes itching while simultaneously killing off any mites present.
Additionally, increased circulation resulting from the infrared heat may reduce inflammation in affected areas.
Sweat Detoxification
Infrared saunas are known for their ability to promote natural sweat detoxification, which is essential for the treatment of scabies. Sweat toxin removal is the principle behind alternative medicine’s whole-body cleansing strategies. It has been demonstrated that sweat helps rid the body of harmful toxins and pathogens.
Sweat detoxification involves increasing body temperature to induce sweating, which allows the body to release some toxins stored in fat cells.
Infrared saunas can stimulate core temperatures high enough to engage sweat glands and induce a deep purifying sweat that can help rid the body of impurities, including scabies mites and their eggs. Furthermore, once released from their hiding places in the skin’s sebaceous ducts, they may not be able to re-burrow because they cannot tolerate water and high heat in an infrared environment such as an infrared sauna.
Infrared saunas also provide other health benefits, such as:
- Improved blood circulation
- Increased metabolic rate
Both of these contribute to general feelings of well-being and may help treat scabies on a more comprehensive level.
Improved Immune System
An infrared sauna is one of the natural treatments used to treat scabies. The heat in a sauna promotes circulation and increases perspiration, which helps to flush out toxins in your body. But the most important benefit is that saunas can improve your immune system.
A stronger immune system means that your body can fight off infections better, including scabies mites. In addition, the healthy sweat produced during an infrared sauna session opens the pores of the skin and releases stored waste, allowing for easier absorption of oxygen and improved circulation throughout the body’s lymphatic system. It also helps reduce inflammation caused by scabies since it removes any excess fluid buildup in the body.
The intense heat from infrared radiation causes these positive effects on the immune system. Unlike traditional steam rooms or other hot treatments, infrared saunas heat your muscles and tissues directly rather than warming their air temperature by a few degrees (which would do nothing to help dysfunctions within your body). It heats our cells to promote immunity-strengthening detoxification while existing soothing conditions, such as itching or discomfort associated with scabies infection. In addition to strengthening immunity, improved circulation keeps skin surfaces free of toxins that may be present due to an infestation. As such, it can be concluded that an infrared sauna may help treat scabies by restoring balance within our bodies and providing a safe way of removing them from our systems before they cause more damage or spread throughout our environment.
Safety Considerations
Infrared saunas have been used to treat various conditions, but it is essential to understand the safety considerations before using an infrared sauna for scabies. Although the heat may kill scabies mites, the risk of burning and exhaustion exists. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the potential risks and follow safety protocols when using any infrared sauna.
Time Limits
When using an infrared (IR) sauna, it is important to adhere to all safety recommendations the manufacturer sets. While toxicity levels of IR sauna use remain low and negligible, certain safety events should be kept in mind each time you use it. One such factor to consider is the length of time spent in the sauna. Excessive exposure can lead to adverse effects, including dehydration and nausea.
Time limits should be strictly followed when using an IR sauna. Depending on your type of sauna, you may need to limit your session durations or time these sessions throughout the day with breaks in between. For example, traditional dry infrared saunas often employ a strict limit of two 20-minute sessions per day with at least one half-hour break between sessions to rest and recharge. This 20-minute rule applies for most dry and wet saunas; however, some newer units may allow for slightly longer session durations, such as 30 minutes per session maximum or 600 calories consumed before ending a session. It is essential to research your specific unit’s safety recommendations before beginning any IR therapy journey.
Temperature Limits
Infrared saunas can provide many therapeutic benefits, including pain relief and relaxation. However, there are many safety considerations before using an infrared sauna for healing. One crucial factor to consider is temperature.
Many infrared saunas are designed to provide a comfortable sweat-inducing experience within specific temperature ranges. The ideal temperature range for infrared use is between 110 and 120 degrees F (43 and 49 degrees C). If an infrared sauna goes above the recommended temperature range, it may cause burns or other skin injuries. Therefore, it’s crucial to monitor the heat level in the room and discontinue use if it becomes too high for comfort.
In addition, it’s important to remember that skin temperatures can reach up to 113 degrees F (45 degrees C) during an infrared sauna, so water should always be present when undergoing this therapy. Finally, for scabies, it’s important to note that infrared therapy alone won’t solve infestations; a comprehensive medical treatment plan overseen by qualified personnel is necessary to eradicate scabies infestations effectively.
Other Precautions
An infrared sauna is generally considered safe, given that you follow proper instructions and safety protocols. Here are some precautions to consider before you use an infrared sauna:
- Consider visiting a doctor for pre-treatment screening and ask if infrared therapy is advisable for your particular situation.
- Keep your sessions short, not to exceed 30 minutes at one time. It also applies to children.
- Start by using the lowest setting possible, increase it gradually as you become more accustomed to the heat, and as suggested by your physician.
- Hydrate yourself before and after using the sauna – water helps maintain the ideal body temperature during your session and aids in the elimination process afterward.
- Avoid prolonged exposure – once you have achieved optimal benefits or feel uncomfortable because of excessive heat, exit the sauna immediately.
- Refrain from using drugs or alcohol in an infrared sauna, as they can accelerate dehydration and other adverse health effects.
- Do not attempt to exceed manufacturer-specified temperature limits, and do not lie down while operating a unit – sitting up is recommended until you reach higher tolerance levels over time and with subsequent use.
- Make sure the room is adequately ventilated with fresh air; avoid overcrowding; never use a unit unsupervised; never leave young children unattended around a heated unit; permanently discontinue any activity which induces nausea, dizziness, or other discomforts during operation; never nap in an active unit; always follow manufacturer instructions for installation and maintenance; never attempt to modify or repair a unit, especially one that its original OEM distributor has recalled; if repairs are necessary to contact only qualified personnel for assistance.
Conclusion
The conclusion is that an infrared sauna will not necessarily kill scabies like it would eliminate other parasites. Therefore, to obtain the best possible results from a session in an infrared sauna, one should take proper precautions before and after using it. It includes wearing protective clothing and showering immediately after the session to reduce any potential spread of the mites or other parasites.
The best way to kill scabies is to be treated them with a topical insecticide or an oral medication prescribed by a doctor. Combining this with regular environmental cleaning and avoiding sharing personal items can also help prevent re-infestation.