Uh Oh...Folliculitis...Shock like crazy or decontaminate?

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O

Osunurse

0
May 12, 2017
11
Monticello IN
Hi everyone,

We've been using the TFP Bromine 3 step for 1 year and no problems until recently. I drained the tub 2 weeks ago after developing a very mild rash and water had become cloudy while we were out of town. Wasn't sure if rash was folliculitis at the time and was actually more worried that they were bed bug bites as they didn't itch and had recently traveled. I thought the water was cloudy (really denial, I know) because water was about 6 months old due to cold winter here. Refilled it, balanced and used it again but developed the rash again along with a guest that used it. I am pretty much mortified that my guest developed the rash. The other 4 guests did not get the rash. Anyway... my real question is about how far do I go with cleaning the tub? I have Ahhsome on order and plan to use that. Is it necessary to throw away suits that were worn (some medical sites recommend this), throw away spa pillows (I'm guessing if suits can't be salvaged, then neither can the pillows)? I have read in the forums that some people just shock the water to 20 ppm and leave it at that. There seems to be extremes in methods to treat and I don't know which direction to go. I should mention that we use well water to fill the tub so I can't really plan on filling the tub 3 times to decontaminate. I have turned down the heater, shocked with chlorine bleach to 20 ppm, adjusted pH until I can drain and refill this weekend. Any insight would be helpful. Thanks in advance
 
Were you diagnosed with Folliculitis by a dermatologist? As you realize now 6 months before a drain is too long for a 355 gal spa and a skin rash can be caused by many things. You did the right thing by draining but you should also purge the entire system to remove any contaminant buildup. Do a search for biofilm and realize what you are up against when a spa system goes sideways. Once your system is properly purged and cleaned you can control the sanitation but if you have a microorganism biofilm situation you will have trouble.
 
Thanks for your reply. Yes I have learned some things the hard way and realized that things can go south very quickly in the hot tub environment. I have read some of the posts about removing the biofilm and was hoping for some clarification about the suits and spa pillows. I am planning on starting the process with Ahh-some as soon as it gets above 40 degrees today. Yes it’s 32 degrees right now on April 29th. I hate cold weather but sitting in a (clean) hot tub makes it somewhat tolerable
 
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