Hot tubs offer families an opportunity to relax and unwind, but parents must take special precautions to prevent children's skin problems associated with hot tub use. Hot tub folliculitis, a common rash that causes red bumps and pus-filled blisters on the skin, develops when hot tub users encounter the germ "Pseudomonas aeruginosa," according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, and typically develops within two days after using a hot tub.
Step 1
Bathe your child with soap or instruct her to take a shower before entering the tub and as soon as she gets out of the tub. Have your child remove her swimsuit as soon as she exits the hot tub. Wash the child's swimsuit with detergent after spending time in the hot tub. When contaminated water stays in contact with a child's skin for lengthy periods of time, the bacteria in the water may cause hot tub rash, according to the CDC.
Step 2
Test the waters. Have your child sit on the edge of the hot tub with his feet dangling in the water for a few minutes before getting in. Hot tubs require treatment with powerful chemicals, including chlorine and bromine, to prevent bacterial contamination, and children's delicate skin could react to exposure to chemicals with irritation and rash, KidsGrowth.com reports. If your child's skin itches or turns red, it's a signal he could develop a severe allergic reaction to the hot tub chemicals, which could require steroid medication to treat.
Step 3
Ensure the hot tub owner or operator uses adequate chemicals for disinfection. The CDC recommends asking hot tub owners how often they check the hot tub's disinfectant and pH levels; twice-daily checking is best to limit the spread of germs and reduce the risk of contamination. Hot tub owners must also regularly clean the tub's slime or biofilm layer and replace the filter and water regularly to prevent contamination. Purchase pool test strips yourself at a pool or spa store. Dip the strips in the hot tub water and use the instructions included with the strips to gauge chemical levels. Hot tub pH levels should range from 7.2 to 7.8; levels of the disinfectant chlorine should range from 1 to 3 parts per million. Bromine levels should range from 2 to 5 parts per million.
Things You'll Need
- Pool test strips
