2023 Volume 49 Issue 3 Pages 138-143
Sauna burns have been reported to be triggered by loss of consciousness (LOC). At our hospital, we encountered five cases of sauna burns between 2012 and 2021. Age, sex, number of days from injury to first visit, mechanism of injury, injured site, causes of injury, % total body surface area, burn depth, presence or absence of surgery, hospitalization, and outcome were retrospectively investigated from medical records. The age of the subjects was 64-76 years old (mean 71±4), and all five cases were injured due to LOC. LOC may be associated with dehydration and decreased cerebral blood flow due to sauna bathing. Sauna burns are classified as contact burns or hot air sauna burns, both of which often deepen over time. We recommend informing sauna users about the risks of LOC and encouraging appropriate rehydration.
