If the hot tub folliculitis is mild, it can be cured without any treatment within 2 weeks. Hot tub folliculitis (pseudomonas folliculitis). Unfortunately, showering after exposure does not decrease your risk of developing disease. Hot tub folliculitis treatment at home can make the healing process much quicker. Hot tub folliculitis is caused by pseudomonas bacteria, which is found in many places, including hot tubs and heated pools in which the chlorine and pH levels aren't well-regulated. Hot tub folliculitis, on the other hand, is caused by bacteria that harbors in hot tubs and swimming pools. Treatment of Hot Tub Folliculitis. The folliculitis usually occurs after sitting in a hot tub that was not properly cleaned before use. Folliculitis can cause clusters of red, pimple-like bumps on your skin. May develop during antibiotic treatment of acne. With this type you may develop a rash of red, round, itchy bumps one to two days after exposure to the bacteria that causes it. This bacterial infection is likely to occur from bathing in poorly maintained hot tubs. Hot tub folliculitis can be extremely painful and/or itchy, and left alone without scratching will go away much more quickly. Pseudomonas Dermatitis is a bacterial or fungal rash caused by soaking in contaminated water. Hot tub folliculitis lesions will erupt on the trunk or buttocks after a person sits in a hot tub. If the rash is aggravated, it can stay, worsen, and spread, lasting for months. Oral antibiotics are given if the rash is severe or if topical treatments have failed. Oral antibiotics can be used for 5-10 days if the rash is severe or resistant to topical treatment. Hot tub folliculitis (pseudomonas folliculitis). The person should not scratch the pustules. Hot Tub and Pool Folliculitis: Presentation. This shows up as a rash of red, round, itchy bumps. Hot-tub folliculitis is caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This pathogen thrives in poorly maintained hot tubs, saunas, or swimming pools. Superficial folliculitis types will include hot tub folliculitis, barber’s itch, and bacterial folliculitis, whereas deep folliculitis includes gram-negative folliculitis, carbuncles, and boils. If you’re at a public or hotel pool, look for signs that the pool is dirty and don’t swim if … If folliculitis is detected early, then the problem is likely resolved within a week or two. It is most common on the back and causes scattered pinpoint, small red to purple bumps all over the torso. Hot tub folliculitis can affect anyone who is using a hot tub, spa, jacuzzi or heated pool that is not regularly or properly treated. Most commonly superficial and resulting from infection by Staphylococcus aureus; use of antibacterial soaps may suffice as treatment for uncomplicated folliculitis, which is self-limited.. Anti-itch creams can decrease discomfort. Hot tub folliculitis is caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and is characterized by pruritic follicular, maculopapular, vesicular or pustular lesions. Less severe cases of folliculitis, such as Pseudomonas folliculitis (hot tub rash), usually fade within a few days without treatment. Gram-negative folliculitis. If you have your own pool, make sure you treat it regularly with chlorine and keep its pH regulated between 7.4 and 7.6. Pseudomonas folliculitis is a community-acquired skin infection, which results from the bacterial colonization of hair follicles after exposure to contained, contaminated water (eg, whirlpools, swimming pools, water slides, bathtubs). Some types of folliculitis can be treated at home in the following ways: Antibacterial cleansers can help clean the skin, limiting the amount of bacteria on the skin. Genital folliculitis symptoms. Keep Chlorine levels (1-3 mg/liter or >1 ppm) Maintain water pH 7.2 to 7.8; Consider using bromine instead of Chlorine; References. When to call the doctor for folliculitis. The type of bacteria that causes this type of folliculitis. This can make symptoms worse. There is no evidence that mild pseudomonas folliculitis responds to antibiotics as the infection is superficial. However, antimicrobial creams may be useful in restricting the spread of the infection and help with resolution(1). Hot tub or spa pool folliculitis presents with painful papules and pustules on the trunk some hours after soaking in hot water, mainly in sites that were covered by bathing costume. Systemic infections are rare. Can cause isolated cases or epidemics. Scratching the area will only make the bacteria spread. Topical treatments that can be helpful include silver sulfadiazine cream twice a day or white vinegar applied to the rash for 20 minutes two to four times per day. Although a rash after hot tub use is treatable, reactions can be severe and pose complications in rare cases. 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