How To Avoid Hot Tub Rash

This following article may just help you understand more about Hot Tub Folliculitis


How To Avoid Hot Tub Rash

There are a few kinds of hot tub itch and it is important to be able to differentiate between them. One is the mild irritation of the skin as a result of the drying effects of chemical sanitizer. People with light hair tend to be more sensitive to dry skin as a result of using hot tubs and spas. This is not a serious condition and using a moisturizer should help to resolve the problem.

Follicular dermatitis, or infection of the hair follicle, is a more severe hot tub related skin problem. This is a result of the hair follicle becoming infected. There are a few reasons why this could happen.

If there is no chemical sanitizer in the water, which is to say no bromine or chlorine in the water, then this would allow bacteria levels to grow exponentially in a very short period of time. Getting into the water during this period of time would expose you to a huge amount of bacteria. Depending on how long the water has been without sanitizer the type of bacteria in the water can be hazardous. It is not unheard of for bacteria to become so dangerous that it can be life-threatening in extreme situations. This is why it is critically important to maintain a measurable sanitizer level in the water at all times. If the water does not have one part per million of free chlorine or 2 ppm of bromine then it is not safe to use.

If you suspect that you have follicular dermatitis, or hot tub rash, you must to seek professional medical advice. Many forms of this skin bacteria infection will not clear up on its own without the use of a topical or antibiotic treatment. The symptoms may disappear for a period of time. However they are likely to return should you aggravate your skin again, for example by using the spa.

It is possible that you can develop spa itch from bacteria even with sanitizer in the water. This can happen if there is a persistent biofilm growing in the water. This would be common in hot tubs where the plumbing lines do not to get flushed when the water is changed. Line flush, or pipe flushing, is an important part of hot tub maintenance. If you are skipping this part of your hot tub care then you could be exposing yourself to unhealthy and unnecessary levels of bacteria.

Biofilm grows inside the plumbing lines of the hot tub. The biofilm creates a layer of mechanical protection over bacteria in the plumbing lines preventing chemical sanitizer in the water from reaching, and destroy this bacteria. The motion of the water moving through the plumbing lines can sometimes peel some of this biofilm away, however to actually clean it you must use a pipe flush chemical additive in the water. This is usually accomplished by adding a liquid additive to the old hot tub water before you drain. You would then run all of your jets on maximum with this chemical in the water and it will remove the biofilm. In a hot tub that has not received this pipe flush treatment in a long time you will notice a thick layer of black foam and debris on top of the water. This disgusting mess is what was growing in your plumbing lines. Do not skip the pipe flush step and your spa maintenance and you will drastically reduce the likelihood of you getting follicular dermatitis or hot tub rash.

Steve Goodale a swimming pool expert and owner of Green Pools in Toronto Ontario Canada. He is the author of http://www.poolwater.ca and http://www.spawater.ca which are a series of home owners resources for swimming pool and hot tub water chemistry, care, and chemical balancing.

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Scalp Folliculitis

Scalp folliculitis is an inflammatory skin condition caused by the clogging up of hair follicles. The condition may also be referred to as scalp acne, Barber’s Itch and Tinea Barbae. It can and does affect both men and women, no matter what age. The term scalp folliculitis can be misleading as it can appear on any part of the body that has hair follicles, such as the armpits and legs.

It shows up as smallish, white-yellow pustules encircled by red blisters. If scratched, the pustules can seep pus or sebum. Scalp folliculitis can also develop into boils and in some cases bacteria can enter the bloodstream through an infected follicle.

A constant itch along the hairline could be an indication that scalp folliculitis is present. Although it can spread all over the scalp, in most cases, only a small area will be infected. If the area is continually scratched, a normal urge in most people, the infected section may become hard and crusty, which only serves to increase the need to scratch and make matters much worse.

In a similar manner to the cause of acne, folliculitis is caused by bacteria and fungi becoming trapped in pores of the skin. A main cause of bacterial infections is the Staphylococcus bacteria, which is also responsible for some eye and nose infections. Scalp folliculitis is caused by an invasion of damaged hair follicles by bacteria.

Certain existing circumstances can also promote the development of scalp folliculitis, providing the right environment for the condition to thrive and grow. These include:

-wearing tight clothing

-excessive sweating

- already suffering from diabetes, eczema or dermatitis

-hot and humid environment

It should also be noted that scalp folliculitis is very contagious, so great care should be taken to avoid sharing of items such as towels and brushes.

As always, professional medical advice is advisable when looking for treatment options. However, nowadays, natural treatment options are widely used by many who wish to avoid antibiotics.

If you are not sure and want to know more……

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Eosinophilic Folliculitis

Folliculitis is a skin complaint marked by severe inflammation of the hair follicle. One type of deep folliculitis is termed Eosinophilic Folliculitis, which occurs to a large extent in those people that suffer human immunodeficiency virus, commonly referred to as HIV. If eosinophilic folliculitis symptoms become evident, it is essential to seek professional medical advice for treatment.

As for symptoms, sufferers will usually develop red skin lesions, normally filled with pus, across the shoulders, back and face. These lesions can spread quickly across the affected skin, and can be extremely painful and uncomfortable. They can appear intermittently throughout the life of the patient. Medical advice may lead to the prescription of either antifungal or antibiotic treatment as a method of controlling the skin lesions in some patients.

Many affected patients describe the skin lesions caused by eosinophilic folliculitis as extremely itchy. This is obviously very irritating, as frequent scratching can often lead to the bursting of the pus-filled lesions, greatly raising the risk of further skin infections. In all cases where intense itchiness is experienced, medical attention should be sought, as it could possibly signal other possible skin ailments or infections.

Another eosinophilic folliculitis sympton is the darkening of the skin around the skin lesion area as they begin to heal. This symptom is called hyperpigmentation. Although this may subside after a few months, in some cases, the skin discoloration is permanent, which can be very distressing and embarrassing to some patients, especially if it arises across the face or neck. Once again, if this problem occurs, professional medical advice can provide more information concerning treatment.

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Staphylococcal Folliculitis

The most common type of folliculitis is staphylococcal folliculitis, a bacterial infection caused by bacteria from the staphylococcus family. In its mildest form, the effects can be uncomfortable and embarrassing, but if the attack is more severe, staphylococcal folliculitis can lead to alopecia and permanent blemishes or scarring.

Staphylococcal folliculitis usually manifests as white-headed pimples, which can be very itchy, extremely sore and painful, especially those that are pus-filled and blistered. Mild attacks may possibly heal on their own, but more entrenched staphylococcal folliculitis will most likely need professional medical treatment.

The bacteria, staphylococcus aureus, is present on the skin, quite normally, but when given the opportunity it will invade and infect the accessed organs. Men who shave are particularly prone to this infection, especially if the skin is cut or nicked. This type of staphylococcal folliculitis is often referred to as Barber’s Itch. The risk for infection is far higher on the scalp, as the number of follicles is normally far greater than anywhere else on the body.

As already mentioned, friction from shaving is a factor in causing staphylococcal folliculitis, but other causes could be wearing tight clothing, any skin grazes and extreme sweating.

The spreading of the infection to areas surrounding the affected part or large itchy areas are complications that may occur, but in the main, mild attacks do not lead to major problems and in fact, mild staphylococcal folliculitis usually reacts well to home treatment.

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Red Bumps After Waxing?

If you have noticed red bumps after waxing, then you are probably suffering from folliculitis. This happens because the waxing process causes irritation of the hair follicles, leading to inflammation. The waxing treatment removes the whole hair, even down to the root below the skin surface. However, even though this hair removal treatment is highly effective, if the wax is too hot, or the skin is already sensitive, then folliculitis can occur.

Folliculitis falls into two types. Superficial folliculitis manifests as groups of small red bumps or blisters filled with pus, with skin inflammation that feels extremely sore, itchy and tender. Deep folliculitis consists of larger sores with pus-filled blisters, often very painful, which may leave scars as the infection heals.

As for prevention, if you already have sensitive or sunburned skin, it is better to avoid waxing altogether. If you have undergone a waxing treatment, do not wear tight, rough material such as jeans, or lycra outfits over the waxed area. In fact, avoid anything that may cause friction or rub the skin of the waxed area. Laser hair removal may be a better alternative method, as it is does not usually lead to folliculitis.

Home remedies that can be tried include the application of a warm compress to the waxed area several times a day, which should soothe the inflamed skin. Oatmeal lotions, over the counter hydrocortisone creams or antibiotic ointment, and antibacterial soap are other options that could be tried. If you have to shave the waxed area, it would be wise to use an electric razor, applying soothing lotion afterwards.

Mild attacks of folliculitis may clear up by themselves without treatment or by using home remedies. However, sometimes the infection may spread, or the pain may increase. In this instance, medical assistance should always be sought, as some form of medication may be required, usually in the form of a course of antibiotics.

However, where hair removal is concerned, if a common sense approach is followed, then folliculitis can be avoided or at least controlled, even by using home folliculitis treatments.

Folliculitis Causes And Treatment

Folliculitis is a skin condition that can affect just about anywhere on the skin area, although it mostly  develops on the legs, chest and back. It appears as an inflammation of the skin following an infection of the hair follicles. Typically, this is caused by a form of fungus or bacteria, with the most common infection caused by Staphylococcus.

Many people think that folliculitis happens as a result of ill health or dirtiness, but this is untrue. In fact, it is possible for very fit and healthy people to suffer from the complaint. Although the cause is a fungal or bacterial infection, those people who shower often and consider themselves relatively clean, can still suffer. The clear conclusion that can be drawn from this fact is that cleanliness does not necessarily prevent folliculitis.

Although the condition is relatively minor, the overall reaction of sufferers is one of general discomfort, with the associated itching and scratching possibly leading to scarring if left untreated. Many sufferers have feelings of embarrassment and low self-esteem, aspects of the condition that should never be underestimated and should be handled with appropriate sympathy.

The traditional cause of folliculitis is some form of irritation of the hair follicles. Shaving or the wearing of tight clothing, which causes friction or uses abrasive action, are examples of sources of irritation that agitate the follicles, leading to infection and increased irritation. Heat can often aggravate the problem in some areas of the body such as the groin.

The typical diagnosis preocedure is a simple physical examination by a doctor. Folliculitis symptoms may result in an uncomfortable, itchy feeling, appearing as a rash or red spots. These spots can become very tender, becoming similar in appearance to pimples with white heads. In many cases, these will seep pus, crust over and form a yellow scab.

Standard folliculitis treatments will not totally eliminate the problem, but only tackle the symptoms in order to provide relief. The particular type of treatment given will depend on whether the infection is fungal folliculitis or bacterial folliculitis.

Prescription drugs commonly used, with good results, for bacterial folliculitis treatment include antibiotic ointments and creams that contain mupirocin or neomycin. Fungal folliculitis treatment will probably consist of an anti-fungal cream containing econozole nitrate. Other drugs can be taken orally, but the topical creams are usually preferred because they tend to provide quicker results.

A more general, tried and tested treatment may include the application of a warm, damp compress to soften the affected area which assists the drainage of the follicles. A topical antiseptic cream or treatment should also be applied in order to clean and purify the follicles.

However these are not the only folliculitis treatment options available. There are many instances of sufferers curing their condition for good, by choosing a more natural approach to their folliculitis treatment, eliminating the need for drugs.

Which would you prefer?

Folliculitis Treatment For All 4 Types

Folliculitis is a terrible disease to contract. Chances are you are reading this because you are looking for answers. You know then that there are four causes and the treatment options are mostly prescription medications. The 4 categories of folliculitis are bacterial, fungal, viral and parasitic.

It is not Acne; it is called Folliculitis, which is the inflammation of one or more hair follicles occurring anywhere on the skin. The common symptoms are a rash, itching and pimples or pustules near a hair follicle on the neck, groin or genital area.

Some day to day things to change to reduce the incidence of Folliculitis is to reduce friction from clothing, avoid shaving or use a new, clean razor each time you shave. You may want to sterilize the razor. Lastly do your best to keep the area clean and avoid clothing and washcloths that could be contaminated.

As has been mentioned there are different types of Folliculitis and the current treatment used, they are:

Bacterial Folliculitis

Bacterial Folliculitis is a result of one of the types of the Staphylococcus bacteria, Pseudonomas, Proteus or Coliform bacteria getting under the skin by some break in the skin and infecting a hair follicle. Once the bacteria are trapped under the skin it is possible for it to spread to other parts of the body.

The types of Folliculitis caused by bacteria are "Hot Tub" Folliculitis and Gram-Negative Folliculitis.
Superficial Folliculitis, also known as Impetigo, consists of pustules but the infection can go deeper into the skin causing pain and pus. These can often result in scarring to the skin.

Superficial Folliculitis often responds to a topical antibiotic like Mupirocin or fusidic acid ointment. The cases where the Folliculitis has gone deeper into the skin require broad-spectrum antibiotics like cephalosporins, macrolides, or fluoroquinolone. Lancing is required to drain carbuncles and furuncles if they do not drain on their own.

Fungal Folliculitis

Fungal infections are either superficial or deep and can even spread to the blood or internal organs. Three categories of functions are common in the body; Dermatophytic Folliculitis, Pityrosporum Folliculitis and Candida Folliculitis.

Dermatophytic Folliculitis is caused by a fungal species and the severity of the infection will be directly related to the depth of fungal penetration in the hair shaft. Athlete's Foot and Jock Itch are both conditions caused by Ringworm, which are well-known types of this condition. Unsightly pustules of various sizes are present filled with pus and it is common that there will be a loss of the hair shaft. It is not uncommon for there to be scarring in cases of bad folliculitis. If the penetration into the skin is deep there may also be pain, fever and permanent hair loss. Griseofulvin and Terbinafine HCl are used as treatment options that produce good results.

When yeast is able to enter a hair follicle and reproduce causing an itchy skin eruption it is known as Pityrosporum Folliculitis. It can be effectively treated with a topical antifungal medication.

Candida Folliculitis is caused by the Candida fungus and is the most common in infecting people. This is best treated with Itraconazole, a broad-spectrum antifungal agent.

Viral Folliculitis

This is an infrequent infection of the hair follicle by a virus such as the herpes simple virus or herpes zoster virus. They are treated by the use of oral antihistamines or surgical removal.

Parasitic Folliculitis

Parasites cause Folliculitis when they burrow their way into a hair follicle to live there or lay eggs. Two mites, Demodex Folliculorum and Demodex Brevis are natural hosts of the hair follicle. The most well-known form of this infection is Rosacea, which is commonly mistaken for as acne. A course of treatment would be the use of a topical Permethrin cream like Elimite or Acticin, systemic Ivermectin or Itraconazale.

If you experience a lot of scarring from Folliculitis discover a scar cream that is better than all the rest.

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Treatment For Folliculitis

An overview of folliculitis treatment options






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What Is Hot Tub Folliculitis?

Hot Tub Folliculitis is the term given to the infection of hair follicles caused by the bacteria known as Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. As this bacteria frequents and thrives in warm and wet environments, hot tubs, pools and bath tubs are prime locations for its propagation and abundance, unless precautions are put in place.

Pseudomonas Aeruginosa multiplies extremely quickly if the correct conditions exist, thus greatly increasing the risk of infection. In the cases of pools and hot tubs, the odds of infection increase considerably due to the wearing of swimsuits, which hold infected water against the skin for longer periods.

Within 2 weeks of being in contact with the bacteria, hot tub folliculitis symptoms will materialize. Initially, inflammation of the hair follicles occurs, showing up as itchy bumps, sometimes pus-filled. These bumps form at the centre of small red papules, which can be approximately 3 centimetres in diameter. Ultimately, these bumps may become very tender and dark red nodules, and in some cases may even show as brownish in colour.

In rarer instances, during the initial few days of the rash, fatigue and tiredness may be experienced, but fever is exceedingly unusual. People whose immune system response is low, may in rare instances develop skin abscesses. The rash that develops normally vanishes within a week to ten days, leaving behind dark lesions that will ultimately disappear after several months.

Due to the shared environments that are associated with the onset of this condition, such as hot tubs and pools, it is not unusual to see entire families being affected by hot tub folliculitis at the same time.

Treatment of hot tub folliculitis may not be necessary at all, as it usually subsides and disappears by itself. Nevertheless, due to uncomfortable itchiness, creams and ointments may be used, and in more severe, persistent widespread attacks, antibiotics may be prescribed.

Obviously, prevention is better than cure! As the culprit is familiar and easily identified, prevention is relatively easy to achieve. The best method of prevention is to maintain the correct and safe levels of disinfectant in the water. Water should be changed frequently, along with high-quality cleaning of the bath tub and continuous water filtration.

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Deep Folliculitis

There are various types of deep folliculitis, including the following:

Sycosis Barbae

This is caused in men by shaving, which can result in inflammation of the entire hair follicle. Initially, tiny pustules arise on the chin ,upper lip and jaw, becoming more widespread as shaving progresses. If the problem becomes severe, then scarring may be the unwanted result.

Gram-Negative Folliculitis

This type can occur as a by-product of long lasting antibiotic care for acne. The normal balance of nose bacteria is altered by taking these antibiotics, which can promote the growth of harmful bacteria, such as gram-negative bacteria. In most people, once the antibiotic treatment ceases, the balance is restored to normal. This is not the case for some however, as in some people the gram-negative bacteria may spread and give rise to new and sometimes severe acne attacks.

Boils and Carbuncles

When hair follicles become profoundly infected by Staph bacteria, the result can often be the growth of boils and carbuncles. A boil can swiftly appear as  a pinkish or red bump, with swollen surrounding skin. These bumps grow larger and more painful as they fill with pus, eventually bursting. Larger boils may also leave a scar. A carbuncle consists of a group of boils. As a group, it obviously will result in a much more severe infection than that of a single boil, frequently healing a lot slower and much more likely to leave unsightly scars.

Eosinophilic Folliculitis

This type is principally found in HIV sufferers, manifesting as persistent areas of pus-filled sores, mainly on the face but occasionally on the upper arms or back. The inflammation usually spreads and increase in itchiness, and frequently leaves patches of darker than normal skin.

Superficial Folliculitis

There are various forms of superficial folliculitis, which include the following:

Staphylococcal Folliculitis

This is a very common type which can be identified by very itchy, white bumps that are filled with pus, appearing anywhere on the body where hair follicles are situated. It is caused by hair follicles becoming infected by the Staphylococcus Aureus bacteria, commonly called staph. Even though staph bacteria are present permanently on the skin, it only presents a problem on entering the body via a wound or a cut. For example, this could occur whilst shaving or through a simple scratch.

Pseudomonas Folliculitis

This type is often referred to as Hot Tub Folliculitis. 

The cause of this form of folliculitis is the pseudomonas bacteria, which prospers in many different surroundings, including hot tubs in which the regulation of chlorine and  pH levels is lacking. Many red, itchy bumps can appear any time up to five days following exposure to the bacteria. These can very quickly develop into pustules, which are small pus-laden blisters. The rash can often be found to be worse in the areas where swimwear retains the contaminated water close to the skin.

Pseudofolliculitis Barbae

This affects men in the area of the beard, following shaving, when shaved hairs curve back into the skin, leading to inflammation. An unpleasant end result can be the formation of dark scars on the face and neck, usually known as keloid scars.

Pityrosporum Folliculitis

This type occurs as a result of a yeast infection, producing long-lasting, red and itchy pustules on the chest and back, and in some cases on the neck and face. This is particularly prevalent in teens and adult men.

Folliculitis Symptoms

Folliculitis symptoms and signs are variable , depending upon which infection type they are based. There are two distinct types of infection, Superficial Folliculitis and Deep Folliculitis.

Superficial Folliculitis

In this case, the upper section of the hair follicle is affected, which may result in the following:

• Groups of either red or pus-filled bumps that encircle hair follicles
• Blisters that are full of pus that crack and crust over
• Inflamed and reddened skin patches
• Extreme soreness and itchiness

Deep Folliculitis

In this type, the problem arises deeper in the skin that surrounds the hair follicle, with the whole hair follicle affected. This can lead to:

• Large inflated bumps
• Pus-laden blisters, breaking open and crusting
• Pain
• Possibility of scars remaining on clearance of the infection

What Causes Folliculitis?

What causes folliculitis is the hair follicles being infected by viruses, fungi or bacteria. Staphylococcus Aureus bacteria is the most common cause of folliculitis.

The scalp is normally the area with the thickest coverage of follicles, but they can appear everywhere on the body except the mucous membranes such as the lips, the soles and palms. Damage inflicted upon the follicles makes them more susceptible to attack and infection.

This damage is most likely to be caused by events included within the following:

-Friction as a result of shaving or wearing tight clothing

-Extreme sweating

-Acne, dermatitis or similar skin inflammation conditions

-Skin injuries

-Dressings or plasters on your skin

Although just about anyone can contract folliculitis, the following conditions may make the likelihood even greater:

-Any medical circumstances that lower resistance to infection

-Already suffering from acne or dermatitis

-Skin trauma following injury or surgery

-Long standing antibiotic or topical corticosteroid treatment

-Obesity

-Wearing heat retaining clothing for long periods

-Contact with hot water, such as within a hot tub

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What Is Folliculitis?

What is folliculitis? Before dealing with the various folliculitis treatment options, perhaps it may be prudent to give an overview of just what folliculitis is.

Folliculitis is a skin complaint that can arise almost anywhere on the skin, although it appears most often on the legs ,chest and back. It displays as inflammation as a result of an infection of the hair follicles, usually caused by some form of bacteria or fungus. The most common infection comes from Staphylococcus.

Contrary to popular belief, folliculitis does not occur as a result of dirtiness or ill health. In fact, it is possible for the hale and hearty to suffer with this problem, and they frequently do. Those people that consider themselves relatively clean, perhaps showering frequently, can and still do, suffer, even though the cause is a fungal or bacterial infection. It can be concluded therefore, that staying clean does not guarantee prevention against folliculitis.

The condition is a comparatively minor ailment, scarcely even mildly serious and certainly not fatal. However, most sufferers agree that it can be extremely uncomfortable, with continual itching and scratching, which if left untreated, can lead to possible scarring. Many people will be seeking a folliculitis treatment to deal with the embarrassment and self esteem factors, the importance of which should not be underestimated or ignored.

Characteristically, some form of irritation of the hair follicles is the cause of folliculitis. Friction or coarse action , such as wearing tight clothing or shaving, are typical sources of irritation. A more infrequent cause could be in-growing hairs. The disturbance of the follicles leads to infection which eventually causes irritation. Heat can often hasten the inception of the problem, which explains why the groin, upper body and ankles are often affected.

A physical examination by a doctor or medical professional is the typical , and straightforward method of diagnosis. The resulting symptoms can give an extremely itchy feeling, appearing as a rash or many red spots. These spots can occasionally be very sensitive to the touch, and become pimple-like, with a white head. It is not uncommon for them to seep or ooze pus, or to harden forming a yellow scab.

The regular folliculitis treatment methods of today, as with most modern day medicine, do not totally eliminate the problem, but merely address the symptoms and provide some relief. The particular treatment offered will depend on whether the diagnosis confirms a fungal infection or a bacterial infection.

A more universal treatment may include the application of a warm, slightly damp compress to soften the area and assist with the drainage of the follicles. In order to clean and purify the follicles, a topical antiseptic cream or treatment should be applied.

Prescription drugs for bacterial folliculitis treatment may consist of antibiotic creams and ointments, usually containing mupirocin or neomycin. These are usually quite effective. Fungal folliculitis treatment will most likely take the form of an anti-fungal cream containing econzole nitrate. Although drugs such as dicloxacillin and fluconazole can be taken orally for the condition, topical creams are the preferred option.

Currently however, many sufferers are choosing to take a more holistic, natural approach to their folliculitis treatment.

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