Thursday, April 30, 2009

How to Avoid a Vacation Hot Tub Rash

Hot Tub Safety

By jimdris

Hot tubs, also called spas, have become a "must have" feature at many vacation rental properties. If not properly serviced and maintained,however, your use of the hot tub or spa can become a nightmare rather than an enjoyable experience. The advice in this article will help you to know about and avoid getting a hot tub rash at a vacation rental property.

Instructions

Step 1
A hot tub or spa rash can occur for two main reasons:
a. The water is not sufficiently sanitized and you develop red bumps which are caused by a bacterial infection of the some of the hair follicles, most often on your arms, legs, and back. This is a form of folliculitis, which causes itchy red bumps on your skin and may even require a visit to a doctor.
b. The water is over-treated with chemicals so that you develop a redness or a rash on your skin that is an allergic reaction, which may be accompanied by very unpleasant itching.

Step 2
Clear waterBefore entering a hot tub or spa, you should inspect it for clarity and odor. The water should be clear and have a fresh smell. The temperature should be set at no higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit. There should be some kind of floating device that has pellets which dispense sanitizer, such as chlorine. If these prerequisites are not met, you should not even enter the water until a service call is completed.

Step 3
Test kitTest the water for its ph balance and to insure that it is properly sanitized. You can do this easily with a swimming pool test kit, which is inexpensive and easy to use. The most common kit has two chambers to which you add a few droplets of test chemicals, which will tell you instantly both the ph balance and level of sanitizer, such as chlorine or bromine.

Step 4
Test stripsAnother way to test the hot tub or spa water is to use test strips which can be purchased at any pool and spa accessories store. These are very easy to use and can be packed in your luggage. You merely dip the strip into the water and compare the colors you get with a code on the label of the bottle. The simplest strips show you the ph level, the amount of sanitizer, and the total alkalinity of the water.

Step 5
If the level of sanitizer tests too low, do not even enter the water until you receive a service visit from the property manager's maintenance agent. Inadequate sanitizer will result in increased levels of bacteria in the water, and an increased likelihood of contracting folliculitis, sometimes known as "hot tub rash".

Step 6
Hot tubIf the level of sanitizer is too high or if the ph level is not balanced, you will have an increased chance of having skin irritations or an allergic reaction to the chemicals used. Again, you should request a service call. If these levels are only off a bit, you should limit your time in the water and rinse off in a shower when you get out, until you are confident that you have no bad reactions. Some localities do allow higher levels of sanitizer than the optimum levels recommended by the test kits.

Step 7
Recheck the water in the rental hot tub or spa every two days, as the sanitizer concentrations change with time. Again, never enter the water if the sanitizer level is too low. The hot water opens up your pores and makes your skin more susceptible to infection caused by bacteria.

Tips & Warnings

* Enjoy your relaxing time spent in a properly maintained hot tub or spa.
! Don't let your vacation be ruined by a bad reaction to the water.
! Check the Resource link for more information.

Hot Tub Safety

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