The short answer
Possibly. In 1,935 Finnish men followed for 26 years, those who used a sauna two to three times a week had 27% less respiratory disease, and those who went four or more times had 41% less, than men who went once a week or less. It is one observational study. There is no good evidence that a sauna cures a cold.
Weak evidence
Small or short studies, surveys, or results that are mixed. How we grade
On this page
What did the Finnish study find?
Researchers followed 1,935 men aged 42 to 61 from the Kuopio study for a median of 25.6 years. During that time, 379 were diagnosed in hospital with a respiratory disease: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma or pneumonia.
After adjusting for smoking, lung function, weight, income, diabetes and other factors, and compared with men who had one sauna a week or fewer:
- Two to three sessions a week were linked with 27% less respiratory disease and 28% less pneumonia.
- Four or more sessions were linked with 41% less respiratory disease and 37% less pneumonia, though the pneumonia figure was borderline.
How strong is that?
Weak. It is one cohort of men from one region, and the same questions about healthier people choosing frequent saunas apply as for heart health. Smokers with poor lung health might also avoid hot, dry air.
The researchers suggest some possible reasons for a real effect: heat may help clear mucus, improve lung function for a while and reduce inflammation. These are not yet tested in trials.
Can a sauna prevent or cure colds?
Finns have long believed so, and older, small studies hinted that regular sauna users caught fewer colds. We haven’t found a good-quality trial that settles it. The idea that you can “sweat out” a cold has no evidence behind it.
If you have a fever, don’t use a sauna. Your temperature is already raised, and heat stress on top of an infection increases strain on your heart and the risk of fainting and dehydration.
Keep reading
- Is a sauna good for your skin?
What the research says about saunas and skin: hydration, barrier function, acne, eczema and psoriasis, and what to watch out for.
Weak - Do saunas detox you or help you lose weight?
Sauna detox and weight loss claims, checked: what is in sweat, how much weight you lose in a session and why it comes straight back.
None - Is a sauna good for your heart? What the studies show
Saunas and heart health, graded: what decades of Finnish research found on heart deaths, stroke and fitness, and what it can't prove.
Moderate
Common questions
Should I use a sauna when I have a cold?
It may feel soothing, but there is no good evidence it shortens a cold. If you have a fever, skip it: your body is already hot, and a sauna adds strain and dehydration. Rest and fluids are the safer choice. And stay home to avoid spreading it.
Is a sauna good for asthma?
Some people with asthma find warm, dry air easy to breathe, while hot, steamy air or sudden cold can trigger symptoms in others. If you have asthma, take your reliever inhaler with you and leave if your chest tightens.
Does steam clear your sinuses?
Warm, moist air can make a blocked nose feel better for a while. It doesn't treat the infection.
References
- Kunutsor SK, Laukkanen T, Laukkanen JA. Sauna bathing reduces the risk of respiratory diseases: a long-term prospective cohort study. European Journal of Epidemiology, 2017.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Laukkanen JA, Laukkanen T, Kunutsor SK. Cardiovascular and other health benefits of sauna bathing: a review of the evidence. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2018.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Hannuksela ML, Ellahham S. Benefits and risks of sauna bathing. American Journal of Medicine, 2001.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
First published 4 November 2026. Spotted an error? Tell us and we'll correct it. Read our editorial policy.