Written by Longjam Dineshwori | Updated : March 10, 2023 5:20 PM IST
Soaking in a hot tub can benefit you in many ways. Apart from helping you relax, soaking in a hot tub relieves stress, eases muscles aches, improves cardiovascular health, helps manage diabetes, burns calories and make you sleep well. But there are potential risks involved. Before using a hot tub, always make sure that the tub is clean and properly maintained to avoid getting swimming-related illnesses or recreational water illnesses.
If the water in which you and your family members swim and play is contaminated with germs or chemicals, you can get swimming-related illnesses or recreational water illnesses. These include diarrhea, skin rashes, ear, respiratory, and eye infections. Hot tub folliculitis is a common skin infection.
It’s diarrhea. If a person who is already sick with diarrhea gets in recreational water, the germs from him can contaminate the water and spread it to others.
The US CDC advises hot tub users to follow these 7 rules to avoid getting recreational water illnesses. 1. If you have diarrhea, don’t use a hot tub. 2. Do not let hot tub water get into your mouth or swallow it. 3. Always take a shower or a bath with soap before entering the hot tub. 4. Avoid overcrowding, check the maximum allowable number of bathers. 5. Children less than 5 years of age should not be brought into a hot tub. 6. Avoid alcohol consumption before entering the hot tub and while using a hot tub. 7. Pregnant women, particularly those in the first trimester, should consult a physician before using a hot tub.
Children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems due to health problems or medicines they take, those who had an organ transplant are most at risk for swimming-related illnesses.
If you have skin injuries, low blood pressure or urinary tract infection (UTI), it is advisable to avoid the hot tub as it can worsen the symptoms.
If you experience lightheadedness, dizziness, nausea, skin redness, or shortness of breath, get out of the hot tub right away.
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