THE hot tubs are commonly used therapeutically to relieve and treat joint inflammation in people with rheumatism orarthrosis. At the same time, the spa is intended for all people who need a moment that is both relaxing and regenerating.
The heat from the bath water naturally dilates blood vessels, allowing muscles to relax and relieve painful joints. In addition to being physically soothing, hot water can also promote psychological well-being.
At the risk of permanently turning you away from spasPrimrose Freestone, une microbiologiste from the University of Leicester (UK), warns us regarding the many bacteria that abound in these baths. Bacteria, viruses and fungi, faeces… There is enough to put you off!
The more people in the spa, the higher the feces count
“When we step into a hot tub, everything on our skin gets deposited in the hot water swirling around us. This includes the roughly 100 mg of feces which are usually found between our buttocks. So, when you relax in hot water, you are very likely to breathe in or swallow bacteria, viruses and fungi of the body of his spa companion”, underlines the microbiologist through a publication of the Conversation.
And the more people in the bath, the higher the rate of faeces and sweat (and urine if someone has peed in the water). And these deposits serve as nutrients to bacteria.
It is recommended that spa owners change the water every 3 months or so. “For biosafety, most hot tubs that circulate water are equipped with filters that remove microbes and their water is treated with microbicides to remove germs. germssuch as the chlorinethe brome or others disinfectants“, shares the expert.
The problem ? These chemical products are toxic and can irritate skin and eyes. This is the reason why it is advisable to take a shower following the hot tub.
Bacteria include E.coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Legionella pneumoniae
“While private hot tubs are relatively safe from a microbiological point of view, spas publics (in hotels or beauty salons) may be contaminated with infectious bacteria (germs), especially if the water is recycled,” warns Primrose Freestone.
According to the scientist, the explanation is simple: users do not respect personal hygiene instructions and water treatment is inadequate. Poorly maintained bathhouses are susceptible to outbreaks of infections due to bacteria associated with the human body that survive in the water.
“Among these are E.coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Legionella pneumoniae. These hot tub pathogens can cause intestinal infections, diarrhea, sepsis, skin infections, urinary and respiratory tract infections, such as Legionnaires’ disease. There Legionella bacteria is regularly found in water droplets present in hot tub steam and inhaling this contaminated steam can cause potentially fatal pneumonia.”
Spa: are there warning signs of the presence of germs?
“There are clear signs that let us know that a hot tub is filled with germs. When urine and other bodily fluids such as sweat mixes with the chlorine used to sanitize spa water, this creates an irritant, a pungent smelling chemical called chloramine, which causes eye pain when bathing,” the microbiologist shares.
The more people who release their bodily fluids into the water, the more the smell of the chloramine (similar to that of bleach) will be strong and the more likely it is that the spa will not have enough sanitizer and too many bacteria. Therefore, if a strong odor is emanating from a hot tub, it may be best not to enter it, even if the water seems clean and clear. Water eventually becomes more cloudy when not treated enough.
