Hot tub folliculitis

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Hot tub folliculitis
Synonyms	Pseudomonas folliculitis
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Rash, itching, tenderness
Complications	Cellulitis, abscess
Onset	8–48 hours after exposure
Duration	5–10 days
Types	N/A
Causes	Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Risks	Use of hot tubs, swimming pools, whirlpools
Diagnosis	Clinical diagnosis
Differential diagnosis	Bacterial folliculitis, fungal infections
Prevention	Proper chlorination and maintenance of water
Treatment	Usually self-limiting, antibiotics if severe
Medication	Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin
Prognosis	N/A
Frequency	Common in poorly maintained water facilities
Deaths	N/A

Folliculitis

Hot tub folliculitis is a skin condition caused by an infection of the hair follicles. It is commonly associated with the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which thrives in warm, moist environments such as hot tubs, whirlpools, and swimming pools. This condition is also known as "Pseudomonas folliculitis" or "Jacuzzi folliculitis."

Symptoms

The primary symptoms of hot tub folliculitis include:

• Red, itchy bumps on the skin
• Pus-filled blisters
• Tenderness or discomfort in the affected area
• Fever and malaise in severe cases

These symptoms typically appear within a few hours to several days after exposure to contaminated water.

Causes

Hot tub folliculitis is caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This bacterium can survive in inadequately chlorinated water and can infect hair follicles when the skin is exposed to contaminated water. Factors that increase the risk of developing hot tub folliculitis include:

• Prolonged exposure to hot tubs, whirlpools, or swimming pools
• Wearing a wet swimsuit for extended periods
• Shaving or waxing, which can create small openings in the skin

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of hot tub folliculitis is typically based on the appearance of the skin lesions and a history of recent exposure to a hot tub or similar environment. In some cases, a skin culture may be performed to identify the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Treatment

Treatment for hot tub folliculitis often involves:

• Avoiding hot tubs and other sources of contaminated water
• Keeping the affected area clean and dry
• Applying topical antibiotics or antiseptics
• Taking oral antibiotics in severe cases

Most cases of hot tub folliculitis resolve on their own within a few days to weeks without the need for medical treatment.

Prevention

Preventive measures to reduce the risk of hot tub folliculitis include:

• Ensuring proper maintenance and chlorination of hot tubs and pools
• Showering before and after using a hot tub or pool
• Avoiding prolonged exposure to hot tubs
• Removing wet swimsuits promptly after swimming

See also

• Folliculitis
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Skin infection
• Hot tub

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