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Skin Infection: Hot Tub Rash

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You may get more than you bargained for, while soaking in a hot tub to ease aching muscles! And it is not all good. A skin infection can happen to you. It usually takes place in a shared community such as a whirlpool, a therapy pool or even water slides that kids play on. In these cases, what you have developed is aptly named hot tub folliculitis. Folliculitis occurs when the hair follicle becomes inflamed due to an infection, injury or irritation by chemicals.

The culprit appears to come from a specific kind of bacteria known as pseudomonas aeruginosa. This bacteria loves the warm temperatures of the water in hot tubs and pools. If the acidity and levels are chlorine are not closely monitored, they thrive. You can start to experience signs and symptoms of having contracted hot tub folliculitis even after days of being exposed to these bacteria. Most vulnerable parts of your body will be where water may be trapped against your skin, like a swimsuit.

Start to feel itchy after a dip? Well, it is likely hot tub folliculitis making its first appearance. You start to develop tiny bumps, with some filled with pus. Eventually, these bumps will form sensitive nodules dark red in appearance. Parts where clothing made contact with the body may get a more severe case of rash. Some of the bumps may have a distinct texture like a spongy welt. You won’t be the only one experiencing it, to be sure. Those who have used the same hot tub, spa or whirlpool are likely to develop the same symptoms as well.

Usually, a hot tub rash will resolve on its own within ten days. However, you may find yourself in a great deal of discomfort over the rash. In some cases, you may even lose sleep because you are itching the entire night. If this should happen, then ask your doctor for help. It is vitally important that you do not scratch or break open the lesions that have formed so as to prevent further infection.

Usually no scarring happens once the rash and lesions clear up. However, you should take precautionary measures about using the same hot tub after your experience. If you think you may have contracted it while in a health spa, do inform the manager in charge!

Sep

23

Skin Infections: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

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Love the outdoors? Beware of the Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever! What is that? It is a bacterial infection which can pass to humans via a tick bite through the skin. This disease was named after the Rocky Mountains where the disease was first traced. It can now be found anywhere else in the world and the sad news is that it is potentially fatal! You cannot really catch Rocky Mountain spotted fever via human to human contact. Here is a more likely scenerio: an infected tick climbs tall grass, waiting for an unsuspecting victim and then it pounces on you. It latches onto your skin and starts to slurp up some blood. Its bodily fluids are what carry the bacteria which can pass into your bloodstream. Your symptoms can be mild or severe.

Symptoms start to show up from two days to two weeks after being bitten by an infected tick. They include a high fever, red and possibly itchy spots, no appetite, headaches, vomiting, fatigue, chills, body aches, and nausea. You may also find it hard to get to sleep. If you do not seek early treatment, your symptoms may also extend to hallucinations, coughing and a trance-like state. Although rashes appear in most cases, there are instances when they do not. The absence of rashes may cause you to seek delayed treatment.

Ticks are the primary carriers of an organism called rickettsia rickettsii which causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever. They feed on blood as their primary food source. You may not always know that they have latched themselves on to you, but they can produce a tiny hard spot which produces an itchy red halo around the site.

Since the first sightings, it has been found that there are several types of ticks which can carry the Rocky Mountain spotted fever infection. They differ based on the the area of the country you are from. For instance, in the southern states as well as South America, the brown dog tick or the lone star tick are responsible whereas in the eastern states, it is the American dog tick. In the west, it is the wood tick and other areas it could be the hard tick.

In terms of treatment, the first thing that needs to be done is the careful removal of the tick. Refrain from using tweezers as you may end up crushing it and spreading the infection. If you did manage to remove it on your own, save it in a plastic container and bring it to your doctor for testing. The best course of action is to get treatment within five days of exhibiting symptoms, typically with antibiotic treatment.

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