Happy Summer! 
Because vacations and summer gatherings are popular in the warm seasons, we would like to share with you a few safety tips about “hot tub rash” from the CDC:

Hot Tub Rash Safety Tips

  • Do not submerge your head in a hot tub.
  • Remove your swimsuit and shower with soap after after getting out of the water.
  • Wash your swimsuit after using it.
  • Do not get in a hot tub if you see a green film or water discoloration.
  • Use test strips to check the water in the hot tub/spa or pool yourself for adequate disinfectant level and pH.

Above all, It’s important to remember if contaminated water stays on someone’s skin for a long time, it can cause “hot tub rash” (pseudomonas folliculitis). The rash usually appears a few days after you sat in a poorly maintained hot tub/spa, but it can also appear a few days after you swam in a lake or poorly maintained pool. For these reasons, avoid swimming or bathing in water if you are unclear about its cleanliness.

Because this skin reaction can affect people of all ages, it is important to remain vigilant.

Hot Tub Rash Symptoms

  • – An itchy, red, and bumpy rash
  • – Pus-filled blisters on chest, underarms, groin, or around hair follicles
  • – Red bumps or pain in ears if the head was submerged in contaminated water

Generally speaking, mild rashes may clear up in a few days without medical treatment. In the event that you believe you have hot tub rash, you should seek evaluation by a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment.  Especially with rashes that look like they are getting worse. With this in mind, we encourage you to visit our Urgent Care Center to be evaluated by our highly skilled and experienced medical staff.

Please use the below reference from the CDC for more information:  

https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/swimmers/rwi/rashes.html

Author:
Dina Elnaggar MD, MS, CAQSM
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