| Hot tub folliculitis | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Pseudomonas aeruginosa folliculitis |
 | |
| Pseudomonas folliculitis, also known as hot tub folliculitis | |
| Specialty | Dermatology  |
| Symptoms | Rash, with variable amounts of itching and pain |
| Usual onset | 24-72 hours after exposure |
| Duration | 1-2 weeks |
| Causes | Exposure to contaminated water source |
| Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms combined with patient history of swimming |
| Treatment | Antibiotics |
Hot tub folliculitis, also called Pseudomonal folliculitis or Pseudomonas aeruginosa folliculitis, is a common type of folliculitis featuring inflammation of hair follicles and surrounding skin.[1]: 272
This condition is caused by an infection of the skin and hair follicles by the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The bacterium is commonly found in poorly-maintained recreational water sources such as hot tubs, water slides, and swimming pools.[2] Hot tub folliculitis appears on the skin in the form of a rash, roughly resembling chicken pox and then develops further to appear as a pimple.[3] Children are the most likely to be affected.[4] Hot tub folliculitis can be, but is not always, painful and/or itchy.[5]
In most cases, the rashes resolve after about 7 to 10 days, only leaving a hyperpigmented lesion that goes away after a few months. Oral antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin may be used to shorten the duration of symptoms.[2][6][7]
- ^ James, William D.; Berger, Timothy G.; et al. (2006). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. Saunders Elsevier. ISBN 0-7216-2921-0.
- ^ a b Hardin, J. Matthew (2021). "Hot Tub Folliculitis/Pseudomonas Hot-Foot Syndrome". The Atlas of Emergency Medicine (5th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.
- ^ "Swimmer's Itch and Hot Tub Folliculitis". Advanced Dermatology. May 23, 2019. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
- ^ "Hot Tub Folliculitis: Rash, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment". Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
- ^ Mordorski, Breanne; Friedman, Adam J. (2019). "Chapter 154: Gram-Negative Coccal and Bacillary Infections". Fitzpatrick's Dermatology (9th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.
- ^ "Hot Tub Rash | Healthy Swimming | Healthy Water | CDC". www.cdc.gov. 2022-05-17. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
- ^ Goodheart, Herbert P. (2010). Goodheart's same-site differential diagnosis : a rapid method of diagnosing and treating common skin diseases. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 296. ISBN 978-1605477466.