Rash After Being in Jacuzzi

Updated on June 11, 2008
G.R. asks from Daly City, CA
23 answers

Hi
My 6 year old and 3 year old swim/play in our jacuzzi (not to hot though). A day o two after they have the worst rash on the backs, necks and stomachs. It is very small like a heat rash. I am wondering if I am getting the chlorine amount wrong???? They love going in there and not sure what to do, it doesn't seem to bother them but it bothers me.
Geneva

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B.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

i would go to a pool store and ask what the ph and chlorine levels should be at and get a test kit so you can test for these levels. My kids had that happen also.
Or you can have someone come out and test for you.
take care
B.

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J.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

We use bromine in our hot tub, WAY less allergenic than chlorine. We have soem friends who have salinated their hot tub.

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M.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

sounds like it may be a "hot tub rash" (i.e. hot tub folliculitis). It's an inflammation of the hair follicles caused by a Pseudomonas bacteria in people who are exposed to poorly chlorinated hot tubs, jacuzzis, etc. kids spend a lot of time in the water (at least mine does), so they're more likely to be exposed. i thought of this when you said the water is not too hot. this rash is treatable with an antibiotic, so if it doesn't seem to clear up, take your children to their doctor. (ps the kids don't have to appear to be sick to have this skin infection).

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H.W.

answers from Las Vegas on

G.:

It sounds like heat rash to me. Even if you jacuzzi isn't too hot, the heat can still get to your children. But if you're worried about the chlorine levels, I would take a sample of the water to your local pool supply store. They will test the water for you (for free) and let you know if any of the chemical levels are off and what you need to do to fix it. Hope this helps

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S.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi G.. My husband and I have gotten this rash before from our jacuzzi. It is a type of bacteria or something. We had to go to the Dr. & get medication. My husband did alter the chemicals and it hasn't happened again. You can get instruction from the pool & spa stores where you buy the chemicals. Good Luck!

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R.S.

answers from San Luis Obispo on

The doctor has said it is a reaction to the chemicals in my case.

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L.S.

answers from Las Vegas on

It could be something called folliculitis which is an inflamation of the hair folic. It can be caused when there is too much bacteria in the water and it gets on their skin. I know this, because it happened to me when I got into a hot tub after several young children had been playing in it. I think because the water wasn't hot enough, the bacteria festered and then attacked. It is VERY painful. You will probably need to take them to the Dr. for an antibiotic cream to help get rid of it. If that is in case what it is. It took a long time for mine to go away. I feel for you and hope they get to feeling better.

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D.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi, I had the same thing happen to me and it was the chlorine level, You can take a water sample to your local pool store an they will test it for you..You might have to raise the ph..I started all over and switched to Bromine instead and so far so good.

D.
www.dalex.myarbonne.com

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L.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

I'm afraid I don't have any specific advice re: your children's rashes ... though I'm thinking it might be heat rash. I've had several red spots on my upper thighs this past week, made worse by swimming on Sunday. My doctor thinks it might be related to my pregnancy and to shaving. ... I hope everything turns out okay with your kids.

Honestly, though, I am e-mailing because I'm so happy to "find" another academic finishing up her doctorate on Mamasource. I too am trying to finish up my dissertation (I'm pursuing a Ph.D. in American Studies & Ethnicity at USC), and have really wanted to connect to other dissertating Moms. I'm pregnant with my first, due in a month, and am very concerned about balancing teaching, writing, and newborn care come September. ... Indeed, I posted an e-mail about this on Mamasource about a month ago, to see if I could start a support group of academic moms in Pasadena, and although two moms kindly e-mailed their encouragement, they're not in academics and not interested in a support group. ... Would you be? Or, at least in corresponding? If not, I completely understand. I realize that you're very busy and that this is not the reason for your Mamasource post.

Thanks for reading!
L.

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H.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

Dear R G.,
I had a few rash problems in the Summers in Japan that looked like many little bumps on my forarms and not particularly itching or irritated.I never found out what it was but had my best results covering up and keeping cool.
This rash on your children may have something to do with exposure to hot sunlight or even an allergy to sunscreens.
I have no idea whether or not your children' rash is the same rash, or whether or not your children's rash is irritated or itching, but it may be one of those baffeling conditions that dissappears as new skin replaces old.
The ocean may help. Good luck and keep active and cool !!

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A.B.

answers from Reno on

If they have been in the Jacuzzi on several occassions and had no ill effects, I would suggest double checking your chlorine amounts (pH balance, etc) and making sure that you haven't changed any of your chemicals or laundry detergent. I have heard that detergents and some chemicals just don't mix, so you might want to examine if you have recently changed anything (like sunblock, pool chemicals, laundry detergent) and switch back to the old brand to see if this helps. There is the possibility that it is heat rash. After years and years of swimming and hiking, I spent one day swimming and hiking on a school field trip and got a heat rash all over my face. It took just over a week to go away and was very uncomfortable (not to mention embarrassing) but I had to be careful after that not to mix sweat, sunblock, and swimming or I would have additional outbreaks. Just my experience, so if you are truly concerned, take them to a doctor.

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M.E.

answers from Los Angeles on

My kids had the same thing. It was the chlorine. You need to buy a test kit in order to get it right and do not let them swim in it until well after the chlorine has been in there. Your kids most likely have a chemical burn.

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D.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

G., It might be a good idea to purchase a water testing kit from a local pool store. They can teach you how to use it so that you get your chemicals in the water properly.

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C.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Look up "hot tub folliculitis" and see if the symptoms match your children's. My daughter got this from a vacation rental unit. We used prescription Altabax (it's topical). Others on the trip either let it go away on its own or used oral antibiotics...not everyone who went in the hot tub got the rash.

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M.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi: your children may be having a mild allergic reaction to something in the jacuzzi water. Allergies can now be cured - and in a non-invasive manner via naet. I love my doctor in Fullerton, and he has helped me tremendously, as well as 2 of my grandchildren and my daughter in law. Let me know if you want the naet website or my doctor's info so you can consult with him.

M.

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A.L.

answers from Las Vegas on

My dd and I ended up getting foliculitis from the hottub. We have to make sure to shower thoroughly after being in it to avoid getting it again. Chemicals may be off. Hottubs are such a hassle sometimes. Good luck to you.

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R.C.

answers from Santa Barbara on

My cousin had the same thing happen. It has nothing to do with the Chlorine but more to do with the water. Your best bet is to completely empty the jacuzzi, gently scrub it down with baking soda and a soft towel, rinse it well, replace the filter, and start from scratch.

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I.Y.

answers from Los Angeles on

the same thing happened to my son years ago at a vacation rental in las vegas while using the jacuzzi.he broke out in a rash which escalated into large boils on his extremities and torso.it did clear up after many weeks and antibiotic topical creams. But the sad thing about this was not being allowed on any play dates.the parents took one look at him and declared him as contagious. Of course not!it had to do with the chemical reaction of the detergent with the chemicals in the jacuzzi. Make sure you always get the detergent fully rinsed out of the suits for your children using the hot tub.this also goes for your white clothes,especially if you use bleach.rinse,rinse!sweat can also cause irritations and itchiness due to the bleach not properly rinsed out of socks,underwear and t-shirts. I learned the hard way and many days of research and process of elimination. Hope you find this helpful and for future reference. Always remember..we live to learn,and then we learn to live

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S.O.

answers from San Diego on

Are the bumps itchy or bothersome to your kids? Are they red? My kids get white little bumps when we use sunscreens with paba in them. We use Sol Bar (the one with the blue and pink label, not the brown one or the white label one). It was recommended by our ped.

If they are allergic to the chlorine or other chemicals in the pool, I would think that they would get the rash on their arms, legs, and face too. So my guess is, it's the sunscreen that is causing the bumps/rash.

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M.C.

answers from Las Vegas on

Hello:

I am not sure about the rashes, perhaps there is some bacteria in the water. We frequently (monthly with alot of use) drain and re-fill our jacuzzi because the warm water is a breeding ground for all types of bacteria. It doesn't take long or too much money to refill it so I feel it is worth the cost to be sure that it is healthy. Once we drain it, we scoop any left over water and then towel dry to be sure it is completely empty. Then refill with a hose. Maybe you can even take the extra step to wipe it down with a disinfectant, but I would check with a pro before I did that. Oh, be sure to turn off the power before you drain so the motor isn't running empty. You can consult with a pool store or check the internet for instructions.

Good luck.

M.

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A.L.

answers from Las Vegas on

Most likely folliculitis from bacteria in the water...have your pediatrician check them out...

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J.L.

answers from San Diego on

hi G., i could be wrong, but i have always heard thay kids should not go into jacuzzi's. As far as the rash, would put a food ointment and see if it heals u. J.

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D.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

Take them all to the dermatologist. They might have what's called Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It will be important to take care of ASAP. Make sure after every use you put in your chlorine and the shock. It's from a bacteria in the water. It should bother you. It did me and we had it several times. Not good. I finally learned that every time we used the Jacuzzi, hot or cold it was still like a bath tub that must be kept clean and purified.
Good Luck, Jackie

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