About Portable Hot Tubs

Archive for the ‘General Information’ Category

Hot tubs have entirely changed the way people view baths — when we were kids it was so much of a chore to bathe. Now, we just can’t get enough of a hot tub’s soothing and relaxing waters. We soak in it in the morning to rejuvenate our still enervated muscles, and in the evening, perhaps after dinner or before bedtime. Although there are a lot of public spas all over the world, people decide to get one for their families if they value their privacy.

What is a portable hot tub?

A portable hot tub is a hot tub that can be brought anywhere you want to enjoy a relaxing hot bath. There are different types of portable hot tubs. Some are made of wood, with staved structures, and are preferred by those who go with tradition. In the past, “hot tubs” solely referred to large vats or used wine barrels that were converted into bathtubs and filled with warm water. Despite its advantages, wooden vats today are still very difficult to lug wherever you want to go. Another kind is the fiberglass-reinforced spas, which are also known as those Whirlpool spas. Last, there are the compact, bathtub-sized indoor units.

What else should you need to know?

It is natural for purchasers or potential customers to worry about their children when there is the possibility of them falling down into the huge vat and drowning. There have been several instances of child drowning involving hot tubs. Other kinds of accidents may also occur if caution is not practiced; these are hair entanglement and body parts entrapment. You should also refrain from entering the hot tub when you feel you’ve had too much to drink, as you may become drowsy and inadvertently fall or slide into the water. The hot tub water’s temperature should also not go beyond 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

Folliculitis is a disease involving the skin’s hair follicles. It develops after the person’s exposure to bacteria that thrive in wet and warm environments such as spas or hot tubs.

The disease is aggravated by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, but the real organism that causes it Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pseudomonas spp. can survive even in the high temperatures of hot tubs, particularly in hot tubs made of wood, which can serve as breeding grounds for the bacteria. It is therefore important to always maintain the pH and chlorine content of the hot tub’s water.

Folliculitis becomes apparent within a few hours up to two days after exposure to the germ. It initially appears as bumps on the skin, sometimes filled with pus. The bumps can be itchy and may afterwards expand into dark red nodules, which are painful when touched. The rash is more marked on the skin covered by swimsuits, as the material holds the contaminated water in contact with the skin for a longer period of time.

More facts about the disease

Folliculitis is caused by physical injury or chemical irritation. There are a lot of various forms of folliculitis, but one of the more common types is the “hot tub” folliculitis, or pseudomonas folliculitis. This germ is found in many contaminated pools, whirlpools, tubs, water slides and even loofah sponges. Children are more prone to folliculitis than adults, probably for the simple reason that they stay in the water for extended periods. The folliculitis rash, however, is not passed on via contact with lesions.

Folliculitis rash acquired from hot tubs

The rash is characterized by three- to five-cm long papules that can erupt on any part of the body. Be careful not to bathe in obviously filthy waters to avoid diseases. After bathing, wash your body thoroughly and always change out of your swimsuit. The rash normally disappears on its own within one week to ten days, leaving only hyper pigmented lesions that disappear after a few months. It is impossible to prevent infection even if you thoroughly shower after the dip. Some people experience the feeling of being very tired, and yet the fever is not too common and does not last long.

To prevent folliculitis, ensure that your hot tub’s water filtration system is working properly in order for it to effectively eliminate dead skin cells. It also helps to frequently disinfect or change your tub water.