Signs and Symptoms
The most common locations for hot tub rash include:
- Groin and buttocks ("bathing suit" distribution)
- Abdomen or lower back
- Armpits
- Chest or upper back
- Upper arms
- Upper legs
The rash appears as small (2–10 mm) pink to red bumps, which may be filled with pus or covered with a scab. Located around hair follicles, these bumps tend to be itchy or tender.
Hot tub rash typically arises within 1–4 days of exposure to the contaminated source. In addition to the rash, symptoms can include mild fever, headache, sore throat, and fatigue. Swollen and tender lymph nodes (glands that help produce antibodies, special proteins that fight off infection) may occur. Breast tenderness occasionally develops in both men and women, as glands in the nipple may become infected.
Although hot tub rash usually resolves within 7–14 days without treatment, the rash may leave behind patches of darker (hyperpigmented) skin. These patches are more pronounced in darker-skinned people and may take months to return to normal pigmentation.
Who's At Risk
