Hot Tub Folliculitis
One of the negative things about taking a hot tub bath is the chance of becoming infected. One of the most common types of infections is known as hot tub folliculitis, which is caused by a type of bacteria that is commonly found in hot tubs, whirlpools, and even water slides. This form of infection causes inflammation of the hair follicles and rashes to form. The main bacteria that causes hot tub folliculitis is Pseudomanas aeruginosa, which thrives in areas where there is a lot of water and human contamination. We will examine what hot tub folliculitis is, what causes it, and how it can be treated.
The condition of hot tub folliculitis is basically inflamed hair follicles and rashes. The rashes and inflammation can occur anywhere on the body that has been in contact with the contaminated water. Usually the rash will go away on its own in seven to ten days, but it will leave a lesion that resolves over the course of several months. There are several other types of hair follicle inflammations, but hot tub folliculitis is the most common.
The inflammation is caused by the bacteria known as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which thrives in water that is commonly contacted by humans. They love to contaminate whirlpools, hot tubs, physiotherapy pools, and even water slides. This bacteria is only spread through contact with the infected water, not through contact with lesions caused by the infection.
This condition usually goes away on its own, with the rash leaving within seven to ten days, and the lesion left over in several months. There are several treatments that can help, including silver sulfadiazine cream or antibiotics. These usually help get rid of the rash and the bacteria causing the rash. Unfortunately, taking a shower after being in contact with the water will not get rid of the infection. Filtration of water, monitoring of disinfectants, and changing of water frequently are usually the only ways to prevent contamination.
The bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, inhabits bodies of water that are used by people a lot. The actual condition of hot tub folliculitis is simply inflammation of hair follicles and rashes; it is not a dangerous infection. The condition usually goes away on its own, and there are several ways to prevent infection. If the water is filtered and changed frequently as well as monitoring of the disinfectants, then the chances of getting the condition drop.