Treat & Prevent Hot Tub Folliculitis or Inflammation of Hair Follicles

Facts on Hot Tub Folliculitis

Folliculitis means inflammation of the hair follicles. This is commonly caused by infection, exposure to chemical, or injury. The bacteria that causes the infection is called Pseudomonas aeruginosa where it is commonly found in sponges, hot tubs and other areas that are contaminated. Children are the ones mostly prone to this kind of disease as they stay longer in water.

This can be easily transmitted to others through physical contact.

The common sign of hot tub folliculitis is the appearance of rashes on the body. Some may experience itchiness, pain and fever due to infection. Rashes often clear themselves in a few days but they leave lesions that can take longer to resolve. Individuals having recurrent folliculitis may require medical treatment.

Moreover, people with very low immune system are more prone to developing hot tub folliculitis.

Home Treatment for Hot Tub Folliculitis

Because hot tub folliculitis heals naturally, there are no specific treatments for this disease. However, when needed, there are some effective treatments that can be done at home.

Following are some tips to treat hot tub folliculitis.

• Apply hot or cold compress on the affected part. This procedure does not only treat the rashes but also prevent it from spreading. Include salt into the hot water for a more effective cure.
• Try boiling some Neem leaves and use the water for bathing. Neem is known to be an efficient antiseptic and antibacterial which is great in curing infection.
• Exfoliate skin by the use of sugar to eradicate dead skin cells or use antibacterial soaps when cleansing the affected parts.
• Clean the hot tub with chlorine regularly to prevent infection and do not share towels and wash cloths with others. Most importantly, wash towels in hot water and soap after using.

Ways to Prevent Getting Hot Tub Folliculitis

To prevent the occurrence of hot tub folliculitis, it is vital that one maintains cleanliness on areas such as hot tubs and pools as these are prone to water contamination. Cleaning these areas every day would greatly help in decreasing the bacteria that causes this kind of skin disease. In addition, the water should be changed daily.

To reduce the risk of having hot tub folliculitis, one should:

• Shower with soap to wash away all the unnecessary dirt and bacteria caught during swimming.
• Make sure that the water has been chlorinated which is important as chlorine prevents the growth of pseudomonas aeruginosa.
• Remove and wash swimsuit immediately after getting out of the tub or swimming pool.