Hot tub folliculitis (Hot Tub Rash) – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hot Tub Rash

Hot tub folliculitis (also known as Pseudomonas aeruginosa folliculitis) is a common type of folliculitis, a condition which causes inflammation of the hair follicle.[1]:272

This condition is caused by an infection of hair follicles due to the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The bacteria is commonly found in hot tubs, water slides, and such places. Children are more prone to this because they usually stay in the water longer than adults. Hot tub folliculitis appears on the skin in the form of a rash, roughly resembling chicken pox and then developing further to appear as a pimple. Hot tub follicultis can be extremely painful and/or itchy, and left alone without scratching will go away much more quickly. If the rash is aggravated, it can stay, worsen, and spread lasting for months. By that point it is much more difficult to treat. The dots usually go away after about 7 to 10 days, but the condition leaves a hyperpigmented lesion that goes away after a few months.

Legionella is another bacteria associated with hot tub folliculitis.

Normally, the rash does not need specific treatment and will go away on its own. Antibiotics may be prescribed in some cases. If the rash continues to appear longer than the 7 to 10 day time period, a physician should be consulted. Folliculitis that is not treated properly could worsen and cause abscesses.

Dermatopedia | A Dermatology guide and database for Patients » Hot Tub Folliculitis

Hot tub folliculitis is an itchy, red, bumpy rash that occurs within 1-4 days of bathing in a hot tub, whirlpool, or public swimming pool. As water temperature rises, changes occur in the amount of free chlorine.

This alters the ability of the chlorine to kill bacteria, and the bacteria then grow. The most commonly associated bacteria is Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The bacteria infect the hair follicles and cause red bumps and pus or pimple like bumps to develop.

Areas that are typically affected include the sides of the torso, armpits, buttocks, arms, thighs and breasts. Earaches, sore throat, headache, fever and malaise have been associated with the rash. Rarely, the infection can spread to the blood.

Treatment:

The rash tends to go away on its own without treatment in 7-14 days, but sometimes antibiotics may be applied to the skin or taken by mouth to hasten resolution of the rash. Preventative measures include water filtration, automatic chlorination to maintain free chlorine at 1 ppm, maintaining water pH between 7.2 and 7.8, and changing water.

Reference:

James WD, Berger TG, Elson DM. Andrews’ diseases of the skin: clinical dermatology, 10th edition. Saunders, 2005.

Angela Leo, D.O.

Department of Dermatology

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine/Frankford Hospital

Philadelphia, Pennsylvannia.

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November 8, 2013June 24, 2020