Hot tubs and pools can provide an environment for bacteria to grow. These bacteria can make you sick with an infection or disease. This includes the Legionella bacteria that cause
Legionnaires’ Disease
, which can be fatal.
Can you get sick from your hot tub?
Steamy hot tubs can also pose a risk of
Legionnaires’ disease
, a type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. These bacteria are found naturally in water, and hot tubs that aren’t disinfected properly can become contaminated with Legionella, according to the CDC.
What illness can you get from a hot tub?
Hot tubs and pools can provide an environment for bacteria to grow. These bacteria can make you sick with an infection or disease. This includes the Legionella bacteria that cause
Legionnaires’ Disease
, which can be fatal.
How do you know if you have bacteria in your hot tub?
If your hot tub smells funky, there may be some bacteria lurking in the water—even if it looks clear and clean.
Trust your nose and use your test strips
to diagnose the problem. If your hot tub has a musty odor, this is a sign that there isn’t enough sanitizer in the water.
Can you get a fungal infection from a hot tub?
Limit
Chlorine Exposure
Pair that with the heat of a hot tub (which encourages yeast growth) and you have a dangerous environment. When this happens, you can become more susceptible to pH imbalance that leads to infection. This doesn’t mean you must avoid pool time, but stay aware and take frequent breaks.
Why are hot tubs bad?
When hot tubs aren’t cleaned well, their moist environment is the perfect breeding ground for
bacteria
. Pseudomonas, one type of bacteria that thrives in hot tubs, causes infections of the hair follicles and skin. Symptoms include red, itchy bumps on the belly and areas covered by your bathing suit.
Can hot tubs cause cystitis?
What causes UTIs? Contrary to popular belief, poor hygiene, hot tubs and tampons aren’
t
the main culprits for UTIs. Typically, a urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria migrate from the rectum, across the vagina, and into the urethra and urinary bladder and cause an infection (cystitis).
Can hot tubs cause ear infections?
Hot Tubs
You don’t normally submerge your head in a hot tub or dive underwater, but
bacteria in the hot tub are capable of infecting you with swimmer’s ear
if you’re not careful. Dry ears are less likely to become infected, so do what you can to keep your ears free from moisture.
How long should you sit in a hot tub?
Ideally, you should aim to time your hot tub sessions to last
between 15 and 30 minutes
. Depending on the factors at play (i.e. water temperature), you might be able to extend your soak to 45 minutes. Keep in mind that you can always re-enter your hot tub later on!
How do you know if your hot tub is dirty?
Toss a dime into the hot tub and see if it’s heads or tails
. That’s how clean and clear the water should be – you should be able to see the bottom drain as well as read your dime. Also, try the sniff test. If the water smells funky, dank or acrid, keep out.
What happens if you go in a hot tub without chemicals?
Using your hot tub without chemicals could
turn the water green within a matter of hours
, posing a huge safety risk to users. You can read about what to do if your hot tub water is cloudy, foamy or green here.
Can swimming give you a yeast infection?
SUMMER VAGINAL INFECTIONS
The balance of the vaginal environment may be disrupted by various factors inherent to the summer season, including swimming, heat and humidity. This imbalance leads to the proliferation of fungi called Candida albicans, which is often at the root of vaginal yeast infections.
Can you get worms from a hot tub?
A person (or animal) contracts the infection by swallowing the parasite, either from putting something contaminated into the mouth or from swallowing contaminated water. In addition to pools and hot tubs, it is possible to get the infection from any type of
“recreational” water
including lakes, rivers, and the ocean.
Can high PH in hot tub cause rash?
Acidic water, as you might imagine, can be irritating to soak in. For some, this will be worse than others, depending on their skin type and tolerance. Some may experience itching on their back and calves, but others may have a much more severe reaction, including rashes and even burns.
Is hot tub bad for kidneys?
A hot tub or spa is not harmful to anyone with chronic kidney disease
as long as you stay well hydrated during the treatment. Dehydration in the spa or hot tub could lead to a temporary decrease in kidney function.
Is it healthy to sit in a hot tub?
Regular soaking in a hot tub may provide several health benefits, such as muscle relaxation, pain relief, and
improved sleep
. Some studies suggest a wider variety of health benefits, but more research is needed to determine the specifics of hot tub therapy with particular conditions.
