What Are The Negative Effects Of Hot Tubs?

Luxuries like a hot tub spa, bring health hazards as well. Hot tub related injuries are increasing rapidly because spa lovers don’t know the negative effects of hot tubs.

Accidental injuries like lacerations and drowning in the hot tubs can be fatal, and you need to be very careful.

Hot tub spas bring some other scary health risks along with accidental damages.

You have to understand the personal and family member’s health conditions before soaking into a hot tub.

People are facing health issues, so here we will discuss some common and dangerous risks associated with hot tubs.

Another precautionary measure is to consult your health specialist before introducing a hot spa into your life.

Skin Problems Associated with Hot Tubs

Many hot tub users and enthusiasts ask the question, are hot tubs bad for your skin? 

The answer is, it depends on the USER.

You are responsible for your safety, and you need to be careful.

Here are some skin-related issues caused by hot tubs, with precautionary measures to avoid them.

Hot Tub Rash

Hot tub rash is an infection that is caused by the germ Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It results in a red rash and pus-filled itchy, bumpy blisters. The blisters pop up in a few days and go away.

It’s alarming if it stays there for long, and you should see the doctor!

How To Avoid?

Don’t soak for a long period in a hot tub. Also, shower immediately after your hot tub spa and clean yourself properly.

Legionnaires’ Disease

Legionnaire is a disease that is caused by a germ called Legionella. Steam from contaminated hot tub water carries germs, which causes severe pneumonia.

Symptoms include headache, fever, chills, and muscle pain start to develop within a day or so after a soak.

People over 50, especially those who smoke and have lung issues, are most prone to the disease.

Irritation From Bodily Fluids

Urine, feces, and sweat, mixed with chlorine, create Chloramine. It is going to gross the hell out of you, but it’s true. According to researchers, on average, a hot tub has a tablespoon of poop in it.

How To Avoid? As a precautionary measure, you need to shower off after a hot tub bath. Also, it’s more important for every participant to shower before getting in the tub.

Scalding And Burns

Water-related thermal burns are more common than fire. Be cautious that the water temperature should never be more than 104 degrees.

How To Avoid? To avoid any injury, experts recommend that an average adult should not spend more than 15 minutes in a hot tub.

Illness From Parasites

Though chlorine does its job to eliminate most of the bacteria and germs from the hot tubs, some hard-shelled microorganisms ditch chlorine and make their way to stay in the tub.

Cryptosporidium and Giardia are parasites that cause Crypto and giardiasis, respectively.

Common complications are Diarrhea, fever, vomiting, stomach cramps, and dehydration.

Shigellosis & E. Coli

These bacteria are also widespread and can easily spread by dirty hot tub water. Hot tub bacteria symptoms include fever, diarrhea, and stomach pain. The bacteria enter the stomach when you somehow ingest the contaminated water.

How To Avoid? You need to change your hot tub water frequently and shock it regularly to avoid these bacteria.

What Are The Negative Effects Of Hot Tubs?

Some people face skin issues due to hot tub baths and some of them face other troubles after taking hot both. So here we will discuss some other diseases. You should avoid hot both if you are facing any one of them.

Hot Tubs and Blood Pressure

Beta-blockers are medications that lower blood pressure. You should be cautious when using hot tubs if you take beta-blockers to control your blood pressure.

And, you need to be extra careful. Doctors say that you can soak in hot tubs for a good 10 minutes, but you need to take certain precautions.

It would be better to consult with your physician whether your health allows you to use a hot tub or not.

It’s true that blood vessels beneath your skin dilate or expand when you immerse in a hot tub, and cause a drop in blood pressure.

For this, you need to get in and out of the hot tub slowly. So, It will minimize the impact of blood pressure fluctuation and give your body time to adjust to the change in temperature.

Headache After A Hot Tub

Some folks experience headaches and feel sick after the hot tub. The main culprit is of course heat and the temperature difference between outer air and the water in the hot tub.

It also causes dehydration while you are soaking in the spa. Dehydration is a common negative effect of hot tubs

Vomiting After The Hot Tub

Vomiting after the hot tub is also caused by the same reason. It is advised to keep the hot tub temperature a little down, stay in the shade, and drink plenty of water.

It will keep you safe from getting dehydrated, and you’ll not develop a headache after using a hot tub.

Hot Tubs And Pregnancy

Pregnant women are advised to avoid using a hot tub in their first trimester. They should not even soak in the hot tub for 10 minutes or less as it can be dangerous, or we can say fatal for the baby-to-be.

An increased body temperature of a mother can cause congenital disabilities in her baby. You are advised to skip soaking in a hot tub during the first three months.

You are not even supposed to dip your feet for long. It also recommended that their body temperature should never rise above 102º F.

After the first trimester, you are still advised to keep your hot tub temperature lower. Also, don’t soak for longer. It will help you and your baby stay safe.

Conclusion

Hot tubs feel like a great luxury at the end of the day, and you want to soak your worries and stress away. But, you need to take special care while using a hot tub. Keep the hot tub water clean. Take clean water rinse before and after soaking in.

You have to be careful and understand all the negative effects of hot tubs.

It is not advised to abandon your hot tub completely, except during the initial months of pregnancy.

If you feel dizziness, start to faint, feel tingling in feet and hands, have a headache, or any other change in your body’s normal behavior, you need to ask your physician if it’s safe for you to use a hot tub or not.

Even if it is, then how long can you safely soak? I have answered all the questions to avoid experiencing health issues and hazards.