In Spas and Hot tubs, a very likely cause of skin rash is Pseudomonas Aeruginosa (PA). Pseudomonas feeds in oil and grease present in the spa water (mainly from body oils and skin treatments brought into the spa from bathers NOT properly showering prior to entering the spa or hot tub) and can multiply rapidly under ideal conditions (such as lack of proper sanitizing procedures). In swimming pools, PA can be found on various areas such as pool coping, waterfall edges, ladder steps etc. PA infects the hair follicles on the body. If infected, you will notice the following characteristics of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa:

• Itchy rash 8 to 48 hours after contamination
• Rash can occur on arms, legs or trunk of body
• Rash disappears 7 to 10 days without treatment

Perform the following procedure to treat the infected spa or hot tub:

1. Add spa genie and run for 1 hour
2. Shock with four times the normal dose of spa sanitizer. Turn on the jets and circulate for 2-3 hours. The bacterial growth usually builds up in the lines, so it is necessary to flush them thoroughly.
3. Drain the spa and clean all spa surfaces that may come in contact with a bather’s skin (especially arm pits, chest & back) – above & below the waterline including head rests, the filter chamber and even the top edge of the spa that is in contact with the cover.
4. Remove the filter and soak in a solution of chlorine and water during treatment. (2 Tbsp of Chlorine/20 ltrs of water)
5. Refill spa with fresh water.
6. Chemically clean the Filter with Cartridge Cleaner and/or replace.
7. Rebalance spa and shock. Do not enter spa until sanitizer level drops below 4.0 ppm.
8. As an additional precaution, Taylors Pool Service STRONGLY RECOMMENDS cleaning the underside of the spa or hot tub insulating cover. Not cleaning the cover could re-contaminate the spa or hot tub surface with the PA bacteria.

Be sure to seek medical attention from a qualified doctor. Do not self-diagnose ANY condition. This page is provided for informational purposes ONLY.

Treatment of Swimming Pools is similar. Regularly clean by brushing & thoroughly wiping the suspected areas with approved cleaners or sanitizers (i.e. chlorinated pool water).

Prevention:

Enforce shower rules before entering spa or pool.

Maintain 1-3 ppm Free Available chlorine in residual spas or pool and 3-5 ppm in commercial spas or pools.