{"id":10613,"date":"2022-02-08T19:35:19","date_gmt":"2022-02-08T19:35:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bullfrogspas.com\/what-is-hot-tub-rash\/"},"modified":"2025-04-22T15:30:38","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T15:30:38","slug":"what-is-hot-tub-rash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bullfrogspas.com\/what-is-hot-tub-rash\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a Hot Tub Rash or Hot Tub Folliculitis?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do you or someone you know have red hives or bumps on your skin after using a public or poorly maintained hot tub? Don\u2019t fret; this skin condition is called hot tub rash or hot tub folliculitis.<\/p>\n

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You can identify it by red, itchy bumps that are sometimes filled with pus and may resemble an acne breakout, but maybe on a larger scale than usual. These bumps are sometimes (but not always) located on or near hair follicles, especially if you have recently shaved or removed hair using other methods.<\/p>\n

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This rash can show up anytime from a few hours to a few days after exposure. Hot tub folliculitis can affect any area of the body exposed to the water, especially any place where water was trapped for long periods, such as inside swimwear. Other symptoms include low-grade fever and patches of skin that are swollen, red, or particularly itchy.<\/p>\n

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Treatment Options<\/h2>\n

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A few treatment options are warm compresses, applying creams or lotions like Benadryl for itching, or antibacterial like Neosporin to avoid secondary infections.<\/p>\n

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Alternatively, you can try applying apple cider vinegar directly to the affected area or soak in a bath with it.<\/p>\n

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The good news is that generally, except in rare cases, hot tub folliculitis clears up on its own, without medical intervention. If your skin is healthy, the bacteria that cause the condition can\u2019t survive for long and will die without any assistance at all. If it doesn\u2019t go away on its own, we recommend that you make an appointment with your doctor to rule out anything more serious.<\/p>\n

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How to Prevent Hot Tub Folliculitis<\/h2>\n

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Once it\u2019s gone, you\u2019re going to want to prevent a reoccurrence of the experience, so here are a few ways you can avoid hot tub folliculitis in the future:<\/p>\n

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