Safe Hot Tub Water Temperature Settings

Warning: No Higher Than 99 Degrees!

Hot tubs are designed to create a hot water environment. The spa heater will regulate the set temperature up to 104 degrees. Sitting in the water at such an elevated temperature is not an easy task, but just the same many hot tub enthusiasts enjoy the elevated temperature. Turn the spa pump on, sit back and relax.

What Happens

Our bodies are designed to maintain body temperature whether exposed to cold temperatures or hot. As our extremities begin to get cold, the body will act quickly to send blood to those areas in an effort to restore body temperature and at extremely low temperatures, the human body will work to protect vital organs by pumping blood to the body core.

When the body’s core temperature goes up due to excessive heat, the body forces blood to the skin in an effort to keep the core cooled down. The skin perspires and the cooling process starts. Regulating body temperature is a full time job.

The Problem

Sitting in a hot tub at an elevated temperature disables the body’s ability to cool off. The body wants to regulate the body’s temperature to 98.6 and the water has been heated to over 100 degrees. Add a little dehydration to an overheated body and the situation can become lethal.

The Warnings*

1.  Children under the age of 18 should not be in the spa if the spa heater has been set above 99 degrees.

2.  Anyone who has just finished a rigorous workout routine should not soak in spa water above 99 degrees.

3.  Anyone with high blood pressure or any type of heart condition should not use the spa above 99 degrees.

4.  Anyone who has consumed an excessive amount of alcohol should never enter a hot tub.

Keep it safe. Stay hydrated, keep the temperature down for those at risk of hyperthermia and enjoy the experience. You will be glad you did!

*Advice from a qualified physician should always be sought before using a hot tub.

Can You Go Blind from Bacteria in Your Hot Tub?

Hot Tub Blindness?

Go Blind?  Most likely not.  BUT…  there are definite chemistry precautions that you should know and understand to keep you and your family safe.

Creating a safe environment for you and your family is an important factor when deciding to add a hot tub to your backyard environment. Making sure that the hot tub water is free from bacteria is key to providing a safe haven of relaxation and hydrotherapy.

There are so many different types of infections like hot tub folliculitis, hot tub lung, conjunctivitis, and any number of skin infections (most of which I cannot pronounce) that make considering a hot tub purchase a little daunting. But don’t worry, with a few precautions and some common sense, hot tub ownership is a breeze.

Preventative Hot Tub Eye Care

Bromine or Chlorine is a very effective sanitizing product when used properly. It kills algae, viruses and bacteria quickly and efficiently. The only down side is its corrosive properties, the dry skin and of course the smell.  Over-chlorinated or brominated water becomes acidic, causing many health hazards including a burning sensation in the eyes.

In many cases, the over chlorinated vapor from the water’s surface can cause irritation.  Not enough sanitizer – and the risk of infection becomes prevalent.

Conjunctivitis is typically caused by bacteria and viruses, but any bather can get it just as easy from too much chlorine as they can from not enough. Conjunctivitis is an irritation and swelling of the connective tissue inside the eyelids.
I remember getting “pink eye” as a kid. I remember the itching, swelling, stinging and misery that comes with this “gift that keeps on giving.”

Here are a few tips to reduce the risk of infection:

1.    Beware of spas or pools with the strong smell of chlorine or bromine. If it burns your eyes, get out!

2.    Remove your contact lenses. Leaving contact lenses in the eye traps micro-organisms which can cause infection.

3.    After a good soak in the hot tub or pool, make a point to wash your face and rinse your body off. This will significantly reduce any risk of infection.

Hot tubbing is meant to be fun and relaxing. Be sure to maintain proper levels of sanitizer and if you find that some of the commercial bromines or chlorines are too harsh for your family, try an all natural water sanitizer solution. There are some really great alternatives without all the chemicals. You might be glad you did!

My Hot Tub Makes Me Itchy!

Have you ever settled into the spa for a dose of rest and relaxation only to find yourself completely uncomfortable in a matter of minutes?

Have you ever gotten such a bad case of the itches while trying to enjoy your hot tub that you just gave up or turned the jets off out of frustration? Well, there is a very logical reason for it.

The Healing Action of a Hot Tub

It’s all about your body’s blood flow. The healing action of a hot tub does not come from hot water, nor does it come directly from the turbulence. It comes from your body’s natural ability to heal. We just amp it up by increasing the blood flow. The turbulence from the spa jets literally vacates the blood from the areas that are in direct contact with it, forcing “new blood” to enter these areas of the skin.

During a 20 minute soak, this happens over and over again. Taking away the toxins and bringing in fresh supplies of clean blood. This is where our body’s natural ability to heal comes from. Aches and pains go away and the tight muscles begin to loosen.

So, Why Do I Itch?

Most people will assume that it is coming from the spa chemicals or that the water must be out of balance. Not so fast! The jet action from your spa literally pushes the blood away from the skin’s surface. If the jet action is too high (too much pressure), the blood never gets a chance to flow back in. Without blood to the skin, your skin will become itchy and very irritated.

What Can I Do To Avoid Getting So Itchy?

Today, most spa jet action can be adjusted a couple of ways. First, check to see if your pump has one or two speeds. The first speed will be slower and provide less pressure.

Secondly, check the jet itself. In most cases turning the jet face counter clockwise can slow the water flow and provide you the relief you seek.

If your jets provide a constant flow, try changing them out for jets that pulsate. They change out easily without any tools and doing so will give you proper blood flow and relief from the “itchies”.

If these remedies do not suffice, try a little bit of “musical chairs”. Moving around to different seats with differing jet locations might be a lot of fun and keep your skin from being irritated.

You just might be glad you did!

Your Hot Tub Smells Funny

It’s pretty straight forward.  Sitting in a hot tub will relax and loosen sore muscles, relieve symptoms of arthritis and bursitis and promote healing by increasing blood flow.  But, did you know that it also enhances your overall well being?

It has been proven that those who regularly use a hot tub sleep better, have lower stress levels and lower blood pressure.  Over 50 percent of Americans suffer from some form of stress related illness like stress headaches and neck and shoulder muscle tension.  A soak in the hot tub can significantly reduce or eliminate stress induced tension.

If stress reduction is a priority, try aromatherapy.  Remember the smell of freshly baked bread?  Or how about fresh slices of oranges?  I remember every summer the yard being filled with honeysuckle.  The smell alone invokes warm memories of childhood summers.

Odors can and do have an effect on our mood.  Just take a moment to think about the smell of low tide at the pier or Uncle Chucks’ sweaty feet.  If you are not adding a favorite aroma to your stress reduction regiment, you should.  

Today, manufacturers are adding vibrating jets, surround sound stereos, discoesque lighting packages and pop up flat screen TV’s.  These seem to be in conflict with a nice, quiet soak.

Take some time to today to be good to yourself, add a little hint of your favorite aroma conveniently located here at SpaShopper.com.

You’ll be glad you did!

Do Hot Tubs Cause Male Infertility

“Eat well, sleep well and take good care of yourself.”

Sounds like a good mantra to live by right? Well, if part of the definition includes a nightly dip in the hot tub, be warned. Studies have shown that being exposed to “wet heat” for prolonged periods of time may cause infertility.

Most of us envision the hot tub as part of a romantic evening, but if conceiving is part of the plan, don’t spend your time sitting in a hot tub. Studies done by the University of California have determined that as little as 30 minutes a week can significantly lower a man’s sperm count and motility. In other words a man winds up with super lazy swimmers. The same holds true for dry heat exposure like that of a sauna.

Okay, enough of the doom and gloom.

The good news is that in most cases these effects are completely reversible within three to six months.

If you are a “daily dipper”, there are some things you can do to avoid any drop in motility.

First, turn the temperature setting on your hot tub to ninety-nine degrees or lower*. This will complement your body temperature and keep your swimmers from slowing down.

Secondly, take the ultra tight Speedo off. Tight clothing will interfere with sperm production.

And thirdly, be nice to your wife. You can never go wrong with a kind word and she will always appreciate it.

Sitting in a hot tub is supposed to be a relaxing, stress relieving experience.   Hot tubs are designed to achieve an all around mental, physical and emotional well being. Fact is, we use them because they relieve stress, bring back pain relief, increase circulation and help us to sleep better.

But moderation is the key to everything in life. A hot tub may seem relaxing and the perfect thing for a romantic evening for two, and it is if you follow the simple guidelines in this article.

Take time out today to be good to yourself, have a soak. You will be glad you did!

Hot Tub Lung or Common Cold?

As the winter season intensifies, more people become susceptible to getting a cold or the flu. Sneezing and coughing are common place, but did you ever stop to think that your hot tub could be what ails you?

The symptoms of “hot tub influenza” are identical to the flu. Most cases report shortness of breath and coughing, while others report fever, chills and aches and pains. In extreme cases the patient can become lethargic.

Often, people who are not feeling well will attempt to use their hot tub in an effort to relieve the aches and pains of the illness. Unfortunately, “sweating” out the cold in a spa will only compound the issue and intensify the infection.

Do You Have Germs Swimming in Your Spa?

Once the bacterium takes up residency in a hot tub, the spa efficiently aerosolizes the organism for your breathing pleasure. The steam and effervescence of the water provides the perfect opportunity for infection.

The treatment is simple. Avoid the cause of the infection (In other words, stay away from the spa!) and get some rest. If the symptoms persist, see a doctor for specialized treatment. Most people will recover quickly and there have never been any reports of long term effects of hot tub lung.

To avoid hot tub lung it is recommended to change the water regularly and maintain sanitizer levels, replace your spa filters on schedule, and shower prior to bathing.

If you are a frequent hot tubber and that nagging cough just will not go away, steer clear of your spa for a spell and make sure your hot tub is not the culprit. You’ll be glad you did!