Does sauna or steam room help asthma?

[Freesi]

I have seasonal asthma which is worse when summer is hot and pollen is high. I’m interested to know if sauna or steam rooms help? My local gym has both and someone has recommended I try them.

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

With most things in life... it depends!

Some asthmatics say it really helps, others find they are a trigger! Personally I find that I usually feel tight whilst inside but a lot better once a leave (better than when I went in), however I very rarely use them.

Sorry to not be more helpful but best thing to do it try it out. Leave your pump outside jic, and go in. If you find it really triggers you, leave, have your pump and never go back. If you find it helps then it’s worth doing. Good luck and fingers crossed!

[twinkly29]

Absolutely not for me, for either. But that's because it makes my chest worse. I expect for others it does help though.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

Do you have to pay extra for them? If not then I agree with Emma to try! If you do then maybe try at home - I really can't do steam rooms but I also find inhaling with steam and even a hot steamy shower difficult. If those are an issue for you too, then maybe steer clear of trying the steam room if you have to fork out for it...

A word of warning that some steam rooms/saunas apparently like to scent the steam. If you're sensitive to some scents (eg I have problems with rose, lavender, eucalyptus and various others) then you may also want to check with your gym if they do this - you may be ok with the steam but not the scent.

[SheilaC]

I used to use the steam room, hot tub and indoor swimming pool but with hindsight, this was not good. I have mild bronchiectasis and became infected with a mycobacterium which is found in places like that and also soil/compost. Anyone with some lung damage should be aware of this. If you are interested, look up NTM at The British Lung Foundation website.

[Freesi]

Thanks for this advice, everyone. I don’t have to pay as I belong to the gym, so will give it a try but cautiously. So good to be able to tap into the experiences of people who’ve trodden the path before...