Hot Tubs: OK or Not?

[suwoogie]

Does anyone know the REAL story about hot tubs and bacteria? Are they ok to go into or as some dermatologists say "they are tubs of bacteria". I love the hot tubs on the ship but my DH grossed me out when he said they are putrid pools of bubbling bacteria.

So, do you use them or not?

 

[mostyn17]

I have used them in the past on the ship, but after the Government just released that warning about public pools, ect....I'm kinda leary now.

You can smell the clorine in the water, but you never know....

Travis

 

[suwoogie]

I missed the government report. How bad was it?

 

[kcashner]

Properly maintained, they are as safe as any swimming pool. Improperly maintained, they are a sea of bacteria.

 

[thevolcanogod]

Just don't drink the water.
You might also want to avoid the scum that you can sometimes see on the surface - that's protein and other goop - best not to think from where.
Not like there isn't bacteria all over everywhere anyways.

 

[mostyn17]

Here is a link....but the news gave a more detailed report on the subject. Just thinking about all that bacteria makes my skin crawl!!

http://www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming/

Travis

 

[mrsfuzzmo]

There are millions of hot tubs all over the world.....no health ban on them that I've seen.

Go, enjoy. You'll worry yourself SICK before the hot tubs will get you that way.

 

[kpgclark]

I'd be more worried about the kiddie pools. A recent poster found a poop floating in the Mickey pool.

 

[hydster]

I think I'd be worried about Hot Tub Folliculitis. This occurs if the chemicals aren't exactly right. It's a skin follicle bacteria that happens when the chemicals are out of balance (and we have a hot tub and they can change in the blink of an eye...and yes we've also had this a few times) the hot tub can grow a bacteria.

If you get it it is really miserable and feels A LOT like chicken pox and kind of looks like it as well though not as big. Chlorine kills a lot of things but the thought of "bathing" with a bunch of strangers doesn't appeal to me.

If you do get in it I'd highly suggest taking a really warm shower and soap up with anti-bacterial soap (especially in the areas where your suit is) and get your suit off immediately in order to avoid some of the bacterial things like hot tub folliculitis.

JMO
Heidi

 

[ellenmiele]

hydster is correct -- "hot tub folliculitits" is a common skin rash caused by bacteria that are found in hot tubs, even in ones that are well-maintained. But, while a nuisance , it's not a serious infection and in most cases is self-limited (ie - resolves on it's own with no specific treatment). And it seems that the rash is more common when people stay in for extended periods of time. The other common infection from hot tubs is a swimmer's ear -- caused by the same bacteria as the rash but unlike the rash, swimmer's ear can be painful and does requires treatment with antibiotic ear drops. Both these infections (rash and ear) can come from regular pool water too but the warmer temp of the hot tub increases the risk. So, as a physician, my advice to my patients and my own family is that, if you are in overall good health, brief periods of time in a hot tub (10-15 min.) are OK but whatever you do DON'T put your head under!

 

[inkkognito]

If hot tubs were bad for you, after 38 cruises I'd be in my grave, or at least permanently diseased, by now. I am one of those wicked and terrible "hot tub hogs" you read about
Barb

 

[DutchsMommy]

It's funny reading this thread - I remember going on a family vacation when I was about 10 and my sisters were 7 and there was a hot tub at the resort we were at and we spent hours "diving" through the hot tub bubbles/jets playing "Fantasy Island" lol


I decided to edit this because as I read it, it might seem to some my sisters and I are a bunch of weirdos! We're a little silly but....on the show "Fantasy Island" they always went through some kind of fog, or rain or in one episode a hot tub to begin their "Fantasy" (insert Mr Rouke voice aka Ricardo Montalban here), hence the hottub connection. I guess we were lucky we didn't pickup anything more than "prune fingers" for that little excursion!

 

[MortimerM]

If the water has a "chlorine" odor, watch out. The odor is actually from chlorimine (used chlorine) and may indicate that there isn't enough free chlorine for proper sanitation. You actually add chlorine (shock) to get rid of the chlorine odor.

 

[CM_Mom]

I found the hot tubs at 11:30 pm to be SUPREMELY RELAXING after a long day of fun and activities. Most nights there were only one or two other people with DD and me. Then back to the room for quick showers (DD and I are both somewhat allergic to chlorine and have to wash it off quickly) and into bed to let the Magic rock us to sleep. Great way to end the day.

 

[suwoogie]

Thanks for all the answers. I think I'll play it by ear. If I've had too many Bahama Mamas then I'll go in. If not, I'll take a nap on the lounge chairs. And if there is ANYTHING floating on the water I'll run!