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Bacteria/Rash Problems

Controlling Bacteria In Hot Tub
Rash From Spa W/ Nature2 Filter
Rash From Hotel Hot Tub / Pool
Rash On Ankles From Spa Use
Rash From New Spa
Spa Rash / Bromine Vs. Chlorine
Spa Causing Rash

Controlling Bacteria In Hot Tub
Q:
I have a case of pseudomonas aeruginosa in my hot tub. What must I do to eliminate this for good. Any info you could give will be helpful.
A:
The pseudomonas bacteria is virtually everywhere and there is no way to totally eliminate it. What you can be is control it through proper spa sanitization.

I don't know what you are using as a sanitizer. Evidently, there were occasions when the sanitizer level was too low. Bacteria thrive at spa temperatures and because of this it is very important to maintain an adequate sanitizer level at all times.

I am going to assume that you will be using bromine. Add shock to raise the bromine level to 10 PPM or higher and maintain for an overnight period, with constant filtration. This should eliminate the bacteria. From here on it's up to you. If using bromine, keep the feeder full and supplement with a Non-Chlorine Shock in order to maintain a bromine level of 3-5 PPM. Test water before using and, if, bromine level is too low add additional shock. Retest 30 minutes later, make sure level is OK before bathing. After bathing, add some additional shock to help re-establish the bromine level and eliminate the wastes just added. Maintain pH in 7.2-7.8 range.

Regardless of your choice of sanitizer, you must get in the habit of testing before and after using the spa. Always allow 30 minutes before retesting and do not use the spa unless the sanitizer levels have been OK for at least 30 minutes.

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Rash From Spa W/ Nature2 Filter
Q:
I have read some of the answers to previous questions you received from others on skin irritations, though they do not apply exactly to me. We use a Nature2 filter with our spa and are required only to use a shock, no bromine or chlorine. We use what I believe is called 'Rendezvous'. About 2 months ago, we switched to OxyBurn and I now have a terribly itchy rash on my legs, arms, and back each night after using the hot tub. We switched back to 'Rendezvous' over a month ago, but every time I use the hot tub, this rash comes back. My husband has not been affected by any of these chemicals.

Could the OxyBurn still be in the system? Do you think it would help to change the water? I do have a doctor's appointment tomorrow but am hoping you can help. I love using my hot tub, and never had any problems before. We have had a tub for almost 3 years.
A:
It does seem possible that the rash is due to a pseudomonas infection called folliculitis. Your doctor should be consulted. Infections of this type can result from improperly maintained water.

Nature2 works by adding silver and zinc ions to the water in order to control bacteria. The unit has a expected duration for it usage period. Could it have been used up? Did you ever use bromine before Nature2 and not replace the water? Are you running the filter long enough? Nature2 requires it!!!!

Oxy-Burn and Rendezvous are comparable products.

To guard against a recurrence of infection try and maintain a chlorine residual of 1-2 PPM, at least 30 minutes prior to using the spa. This will allow for enough time to kill the bacteria. Add some shock after usage to help destroy bather wastes.

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Rash From Hotel Hot Tub / Pool
Q:
At a local hotel here, my daughters attended a swimming party and they and several other children's eyes were burned all around the eyes...they looked like raccoons! But not only that, they broke out in a rash that looked like chicken pox. Doctors have told us it is a bacteria called sandamona (not sure if that is spelled correctly). Doctors told us this is a kind of staph infection. Health inspector said he felt it came from the hot tub because he did find that the hot tub was not sanitized properly. Anyway...is it not a rule that a public swimming pool must keep check at least 4 times a day on the chlorine level and log it in a book? I've been told by two different people who work for the city and county that there is no specific law and the city says they have no restrictions on public pools!

What is this sandamona? How dangerous is this bacteria? Our children have suffered from this, they are doing better, but I'm appalled that no one cares! What should I do?
The water was also tinted green. I just thought it was because it was an indoor pool and a lot of people had swam in it. It never occurred to me that there was too much chlorine or bacteria. I would think that a well established hotel would want to keep a log book to cover their own rear ends....what do you think?
A:
It would seem from your letter that the bacteria type that your are referring to is: Pseudomonas.

The laws governing maintenance of commercial pools and spas are not uniform nationally. I have no idea what the law is in your state. Frequent monitoring and logging is a good practice.

It would seem to me that, based on your description, that the sanitizer system was overwhelmed by the bather load. If the water was greenish, there is a possibility that the sanitizer level was depleted and micro-organisms were not being controlled.

A rule of thumb to follow in the future would be not to swim in water that does not appear to be properly maintained or at the very least raise the question with the management.

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Rash On Ankles From Spa Use
Q:
Alan, I have a spa and use bromine in it. I like to spend an hour in it every day, but if I do, I get a rash around my ankles that will not go away; so I have to stay out for a few days. I was wondering if you know what may be causing this and what I can do to fix the problem.
A:
A rash could be caused by a bacterial infection. A medical doctor should be able to be more specific.

Bacteria will grow in a spa if the sanitizer system, bromine in your case, has been depleted. Using a spa for 1 hour could deplete all the bromine, depending on water conditions and the nature of your particular usage. In order to keep the bromine level from bottoming out, it might be necessary to supplement the bromine with a dose of a shock treatment prior to using the spa. In addition you should add some additional product, after usage in order to get the bromine level back up.

Try keeping the bromine source filled with product, so as to provide a more uniform rate of dissolution. Try testing the bromine level before, during and after bathing in order to gain insight into the proper requirements for sanitizing.

I have no idea why the rash only affects the ankle area. That does seem unusual.

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Rash From New Spa
Q:
HELP! I have a brand new spa which was set up by the service tech. on a Wednesday a.m. My family and I got in it on Thursday night and enjoyed about a 30 min dip. It was great!! The bad news is that on Sat., we all had a rash primarily on our torsos, which was red, raised, but did not itch. After trying to figure out what was going on, the only answer was something related to our spa. The spa was initially shocked with Spaguard bromine and the approp. amounts of TA and PH added. I was advised to check the chems. every couple of days, so I did NOT check it before we went in some 36h after set-up.

Now for my questions. 1-Is it possible we got a pseudomonas infection in our spa and thus on us in such a short period of time? The spa was covered and not used between setup and our first dip. 2- If that does seem likely, what would you advise as a protocol prior to reuse? We use Baquacil in our pool and plan to restart with that product. My pool people advised I drain the spa, rinse it and the filter thoroughly, refill, and then add B-shock at 10 oz for my 375 gal spa, run jets for 10 min, then leave alone for 24h. Then I am to test water for PH, etc. and adjust appropriately to maintenance levels. I don't mind the extra $ for Baquacil as it has worked beautifully in our pool. I JUST WANT TO USE MY SPA! Any help you can offer will be truly appreciated.
A:
It does indeed sound as if your family has a pseudomonas a. infection called folliculitis. I suggest that you seek a medical opinion. A family in a new spa for for 30 minutes could possibly overwhelm the sanitizer system and deplete all of the bromine. The hot water causes the pores to open and folliculitis is an infection of the hair follicles.

Try an maintain a bromine level of 3-5 PPM. Test the level before each use and add additional quick dissolving non-chlorine shock as needed to restore the level. Do not use the spa until the level has remained at 3-5 PPM for at least 30 minutes. After each use add some additional quick dissolving shock to replenish the bromine level and deal with the added bather waste. Maintain pH in 7.2-7.8 range. This may sound tedious, but it will help prevent reoccurrences of the sort you experienced.

To switch to Baquacil it is necessary to eliminate all traces of bromine. This can be done chemically, with a product such as Swimfree Chlor-Out.

Being a Baquacil user in your pool makes you aware of the tendency of the product to cause the water to foam. In a spa situation, the combination of air jets and agitation may cause excessive unsightly foam. The bacteriology of the foam is different from the water. To assure proper sanitation, it is necessary to be foam-free, in the presence of a sanitizer, for periods of at least 30 minutes.

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Spa Rash / Bromine Vs. Chlorine
Q:
We got a 'HOT SPRINGS' Spa 6 weeks ago and followed the salesman advise using Bromine. I have been using the Spa frequently (2-3 times a day) and developed a irritating itch 2 weeks ago. I know that at times the Bromine level was low or non existent. My children have not had any reaction. My question is whether this could be a allergic reaction to Bromine? and if so should we use Chlorine? What are the +/- of Bromine vs Chlorine?
A:
The rash is probably due to a bacterial infection. I suggest that you see a medical doctor for appropriate treatment.

The likely cause is the low or non-existent levels of bromine. The slow dissolving bromine may not be able to keep up with your 2-3 times a day usage. Try adding a non-chlorine shock. This quick-dissolving product will supplement the bromine and help keep the levels up. Test the water before use and add shock, as necessary. Don't use spa for 30 minutes in order to allow the bromine to sanitize - this is a cautious approach and should help avoid future infections. Add some shock after each use to help get rid of the bather waste that has been added.

Bromine has several advantages over chlorine. It is slow dissolving can be used with a feeder to provide constant additions. Bromine does not form irritating and odorous by-products as does chlorine. Bromine is less likely to lose efficiency, if the pH is slightly on the high side.

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Spa Causing Rash
Q:
In the last three month period our spa was filled with municipal water. We kept the ph and alkalinity balanced, the hardness was ok, and we used bromine tablets in a floating dispenser. The bromine level was kept at 2-4 ppm. The spa was shocked occasionally with bromine or non-chlorine sanitizer. The water was crystal clear throughout the whole period. In the last six weeks we got a patchy rash on our legs, arms and back. What do you think causes this rash? Possible allergy to bromine, hot water, too long or too often in the spa? Thank you.
A:
In describing the problem, you used the plural "we". Chemical allergies are rare and it would seem unlikely that more than one person could have been sensitive to bromine, assuming the conditions were optimum.

This is a possibility that the rash was caused by a bacterial infection of the hair follicles: a condition called folliculitis. I suggest that you seek a medical opinion as to the possibility.

It is recommended that bromine levels be maintained in the 3-5 PPM range. This level should be present at least 30 minutes prior to using the spa. Depending upon how the spa is used it is possible that the sanitizer levels were overwhelmed by the bather load.

The use of non-chlorine shock 1 hour prior to use is a good idea. Adding additional shock after each use will also help deal with bather waste and allow the bromine level to recover.

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