Hot tub rash - recurring

[lizzy181]

We recently purchased a portable spa and unfortunately, in our ignorance, didn't handle the chemistry properly. I got folliculitis, which I had gotten previously from a public spa, so I knew what it was - bumps in the bathing suit area, relieved by staying out of the spa for a few days. However, my husband and a friend contracted a different sort of rash, centered mostly on the back and legs - lots of little, angry-looking red bumps that itch horribly. My husband received antibiotics and topicals and the rash mostly went away, although you can still see the red marks where the bumps were. We emptied the spa, thoroughly cleaned and now have a handle on the chemistry balance. Any time he uses the spa, he starts to itch again, although not severely. My friend, who only used it that one time and lives in another state, got over her rash, but recently used a hotel spa that caused her legs to break out and begin itching again, enough to keep her awake all night. Primary doctors, dermatologists don't seem to know what this is and only treat it topically to ease the itching. I do not have any of the same symptoms and use the spa daily with no problem.


This discussion is related to Long Term Rash.

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

There may be an underlying allergic component involved here. Was the rash itchy?
Like folliculitis, do they involve hair follicles? Do they still respond to the antibiotics?

I suggest that they have this assessed by an allergologist or immunologist. There must be a component in the spa equipment itself or in the water which could have caused the break outs.

Do avoid any spa for now, until this has been assessed by an allergologist. Prevention is best achieved by avoiding all possible triggers. This may be a recurring folliculitis,

Does your husband take medications for the rash each time it recurs? If yes, does the rash  respond to the antibiotics?