“How does anyone work out? I just got diagnosed, and I’m a hot yoga girl,” a myHSteam member asked the community.

For people living with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), some forms of exercise can be a double-edged sword. Maybe you want to stay active, lose weight, and reap other benefits of exercise. However, the wrong type of workout — especially one involving heat and sweat — can cause HS flare-ups, irritation, and discomfort.

This article looks at the possible benefits and risks of hot yoga for people with HS, so you can decide if it’s right for you before trying a class.

What Is Hot Yoga?

Hot yoga is practiced in a heated room, typically warmed to around 89.6 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (32 to 38 degrees Celsius) with 40 percent humidity. The heated room is meant to feel like the climate in India, where yoga began. The heat may help loosen your muscles, making it easier to move and stretch. Some people think sweating helps clean out the body, but there’s little scientific proof that it removes toxins.

One common form of hot yoga is Bikram yoga. It has a sequence of 26 postures and two breathing exercises performed over a 90-minute session in a heated room.

General Health and Safety Concerns With Hot Yoga

While hot yoga offers potential benefits, such as improved strength, flexibility, and stress reduction, it’s important to approach it with caution. This is especially true if you have certain health conditions like HS because excessive sweating and heat might make the inflammation and pain worse.

Below are some potential health and safety concerns to keep in mind, whether or not you have HS.

Dehydration and Heat-Related Illnesses

The high temperatures in heated rooms combined with the intensity of the hot yoga workout can lead to excessive sweating. This can increase the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion, or even heat stroke. Make sure to stay hydrated before, during, and after sessions. If you experience dizziness, lightheadedness, or nausea, stop immediately and seek medical attention.

Cardiovascular Conditions, Diabetes, and Pregnancy

Individuals with diabetes and/or cardiovascular problems (like heart disease) need to check with a healthcare provider before starting hot yoga. These conditions can put you at risk for complications. If you’re pregnant, make sure to get medical advice before participating in yoga.

Overstretching and Injury

Heat can make muscles feel more flexible, which might encourage you to deepen your stretches. However, this can sometimes lead to overstretching, causing joint or muscle injuries.

Always listen to your body and avoid pushing yourself beyond your comfort level. It’s safer to do deeper stretches with a trainer so you don’t hurt your muscles or joints by doing them on your own.

Skin Infections

The warm, humid environment of hot yoga studios can make it easy to spread bacteria and fungi. This can increase your risk of skin infections. You might check with your studio to ask about its hygiene practices. It’s a good idea to shower right after your session to help prevent skin infections.

Is Hot Yoga Safe for People With HS?

Managing HS involves being aware of triggers that can make the condition worse. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) notes that heat and friction may trigger HS flares, so it can help to limit activities that lead to excessive sweating and overheating.

Sweating is a natural physiological response to physical activity. It helps to regulate body temperature and prevent overheating. However, it can worsen HS symptoms. Sweating can irritate open skin and create a place where bacteria or fungi can grow, leading to skin infections or making skin problems worse. In hot yoga, the extra sweat may also increase inflammation and discomfort.

Dermatologists suggest the following to limit sweating in HS:

• Reduce physical activity in warm or hot environments, including outdoor spaces.
• Stay indoors in a cool setting. If that’s not an option, take breaks in air-conditioned areas whenever possible.
• During hot weather, try to only go outside in the early morning or late afternoon when temperatures are lower.

If your job or living situation makes it difficult to limit excessive sweating or overheating, ask your dermatologist for tips that might help.

What Type of Exercises Are Suitable for People With HS?

If you have HS, you may want to start with low-impact exercises, such as walking, swimming, traditional yoga, and cycling. These physical activities help your skin avoid further damage while also promoting cardiovascular health and weight loss.

Stretching exercises, like yoga, may also help you relax and improve flexibility, which might relieve some discomfort associated with HS.

Try to avoid exercises that cause heavy sweating because that can make HS worse. Even during low-impact exercises, it’s best to wear comfortable clothing that helps pull moisture away from your skin.

Many myHSteam members enjoy yoga, either at home or in studios heated or cooled to normal room temperature.

• “Morning yoga feels so good! Breathe in, breathe out 🥰.”
• “I’ve found yoga, swimming, and walking to be safer options.”
• “I started following beginner yoga videos. They’re slow, focused on breathing, no rushing. It’s amazing because you find yourself becoming more mindful of your body.”
• “Flare-permitting, I do gentle exercise (walking, mini-trampoline, tai chi, and yoga).”

As with any workout, start slowly at first. Talk to your doctor to find out what kind of exercise is best for you.

Find Your Team

On myHSteam, the social network for people and their loved ones living with hidradenitis suppurativa, more than 46,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with HS.

Are you considering trying hot yoga while living with HS? Have you found other exercises that work for you? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.