A doctor has warned of a “shower mistake that could happen to anyone” after a young man hit the gym and “almost didn’t survive.”
Dr Aditj Dhamija, a GP in India, shared a case involving a regular gymgoer who collapsed after a jumping into a hot shower immediately after an intensive workout.
But the regular post-gym habit put him in intensive care, with the doctor claiming “the patient barely escaped death”.
“A 24-year-old man hit the gym like every day … but when he didn’t come out of the bathroom for 30 minutes, the door had to be broken down,” Dr Dhamija explained in an Instagram video.
“He was found unconscious on the floor, pulse barely there.”
Once in the emergency room, he was put on a ventilator.
Dr Zac, a leading Australian GP, notes that in most cases, it’s not dangerous to shower after exercise.
“However, it can be risky if you jump straight in after intense exercise,” he told news.com.au.
“When you finish working out, your heart rate is high, blood vessels are dilated, and your body is cooling itself.
“Very hot water at this point can further dilate blood vessels and cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, which may lead to dizziness, fainting, or – in rare cases – collapse.”
He recommends waiting five to ten minutes to let your body cool down before turning on the hot water.
He also mentions that, when done carefully, hot showers can actually help recovery.
“They relax tight muscles and boost blood flow, which can be helpful later in the day. But they might also prolong inflammation and direct more blood to the skin instead of the muscles, possibly slowing recovery if used immediately,” he said.
He suggests opting for a cold or lukewarm shower straight after a workout, as these can help lower core temperature and reduce inflammation.
Sports medicine research shows that cooling methods like cold water immersion are most effective for muscle recovery, but shower temperature is still worth considering.
In his video, Dr Dhamija also warned to look out for signs that something’s wrong if you’re getting into an overly hot shower.
“Don’t ignore light-headedness or dizziness,” he said, and “Don’t forget to hydrate properly.”
He also advised rehydrating well after exercise, and if you feel faint, lie down and elevate your legs.
“Fitness should make you stronger — not take you closer to death.”
