Hot Sauna for CLL Patients

[Lovely67]

I am diagnosed with CLL since 2021 and curregtiy on W&W with relatively stable WBC. I have hot sauna in my building gym. Is it beneficial for me to do hot sauna once a week or can sauna trigger CLL to activate into a fast progression? Thank you

[lankisterguy Volunteer]

Hi Lovely67,

I don't believe we have any clinical data supporting or discouraging a sauna or other warm/hot methods. There is no indication that heat, massage or other physical contact treatments slow or increase the progression of CLL.

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We do have these 18 previous posts that mention sauna: healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

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Len

[HopeME in reply to lankisterguy]

However, saunas are a breeding ground for bacteria much like hot tubs. Thus, I avoid both despite enjoying them prior to my CLL diagnosis.

[Lovely67 in reply to HopeME]

Thank you

[LeoPa in reply to HopeME]

How does that work? The temperature in dry saunas is so high that bacteria can't even survive it, can it?

[Lovely67 in reply to lankisterguy]

Thanks

[Lovely67 in reply to lankisterguy]

Thank you Len

[RZ8983DV]

I was diagnosed with CLL 16 years ago with relatively stable low lymphocyte and WBC , not needing treatment. I go to the sauna in my local gym for short periods I don't 't think it has any effect one way or the other

[Lovely67 in reply to RZ8983DV]

Thank you Dave

[Tingy]

My CLL consultant who is a professor recommended that I avoid sauna's, jacuzzi’s, hot tubs etc, as they’re a breeding ground for bacteria. That was when I was first diagnosed nine years ago and have avoided them since.

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator in reply to Tingy]

Infection risk with sauna's, jacuzzi’s, hot tubs etc., would be my concern too.

Neil

[Lovely67 in reply to AussieNeil]

Thanks Neil

[Lovely67 in reply to Tingy]

Thanks Tingy

[Lovely67 in reply to Tingy]

thanks

[onu1tadi2 in reply to Tingy]

I would be afraid of jacuzzis, but a proper sauna is very dry heat, very high temperature, enough to kill bacteria. A sauna for me has often cured colds (as has been used for centuries in countries where it originated.) But am not sure now with CLL treatments, whether to venture into one. Once this summer, in fresh country air, I did go into one, but sat on the lower bunk to avoid hottest temperatures. Then went into a cold lake at night. It really energized me. But i would not recommend it to anyone, as each person is different.

[Skyshark]

Saunas are too hot, 80 degrees C and should have low humidity <20%. Bacteria dry out quickly and die. Viruses the outer jacket of fats melt just like butter.

Stay out of steam rooms! Warm, wet surfaces are very close to the conditions in a Petri dish in an incubator but without the food media.

Pools and jacuzzi are safe if properly chlorinated.

The biggest risk for jacuzzi and sauna is close proximity to other users where the virus/bacteria are airborne and don't have time to be killed.

bathparlor.com/are-saunas-f...

Transmission risk in saunas

Risk: Low (Should mitigation conditions be met)

Confidence: Medium

Transmission risk in steam rooms

Risk: High

Confidence: Medium

gov.wales/sites/default/fil...

Safe for CLL? That's a whole different question. There are posts on HU about Heat Spike Protein (HSP) being a trigger.

Sauna abuse.

1: Dashing out for a cold shower. The whole point to a sauna is to open the pores and sweat. A cold shower negates this by closing the pores.

2: Splashing lots of water around on the coals or heater. The water may initially produce a lot of hot steam. About 6 people a year in the UK are scalded badly doing this and need skin grafts, then they are going to be shaking hands with their arse. The water that doesn't turn to steam wets the sauna and has to be heated and evaporated, the specific heat of water and latent heat of evaporation will cool the sauna. I've seen saunas that are so wet there was condensate on the glass door. It's supposed to be dry heat.

3: Locate the thermostat and pour cold water on it. When it gets too hot get out of the sauna. Bad news for everyone that follows.

[onu1tadi2 in reply to Skyshark]

My origins are the land where Sauna originated. Water is not splashed onto the coals until the sauna is cooling down (no longer being heated at the end) to add heat for stragglers. As for jumping in snow or cold lake, it is good for you, as long as you first sweat it out and wash. Then the last thing you do is the lake. And the cold lake will not feel cold if the sauna has heated your body as it should.

[Skyshark in reply to onu1tadi2]

Many UK saunas have electric heaters with a bed of fake coals above it.

[Splash24]

I used a sauna regularly for a few years, I never had any issues, I stopped because the gym closed. I'm thinking purchasing one. Several studies have been done on the benefits from a cardiovascular perspective. Not sure from a cancer-heat shock protein perspective.

[Sushibruno]

I’ve been enjoying the pool, hot tub and steam room at my local gym. 😔 this is making me re think this.

[Sewster]

My husband built us a custom sauna in our home - love it and use often October-June here in northern Michigan!

[Northland in reply to Sewster]

My profile pic is from Copper Harbor! My niece is an emerg doc in Marquette.

[Northland]

I have a sauna in my house and use it 3 times a week or more. I set it at 70C and throw a lot of water on the rocks. There is no bacteria as it is too hot and dry. I haven't experienced any issues from sauna usage since being diagnosed with CLL 5 years ago. My parents are from Finland so I have taken saunas since birth.

[Bluesinthenight]

Since my CLL diagnosis, I have used the sauna at a local gym for at least 12 years without any harmful effects. Dry heat is fine and it feels great after a workout, especially in wintertime. I avoid overcrowding and end my sessions when this occurs. I will not sacrifice this helpful heat for my muscles and fitness given that I have not experienced any harmful effects of 20 minutes in a sauna several times a week. For me, crossing a busy street in my city carries greater risk than a sauna session.

[Lovely67 in reply to Bluesinthenight]

Thanks