A yeast infection can cause so much discomfort. This health condition is caused by a fungus called candida albicans, which can easily breed and reproduce in hot, dark, and damp environments. Can a hot tub cause a yeast infection?
The warm nature of the hot tub can trigger the development of a yeast infection in its users. The candida fungus is very opportunistic. It can multiply and spread easily when it notices a perfect breeding ground, causing yeast infection.
The human body usually carries candida without causing any problems. The problem begins when it overgrows or reproduces uncontrollably. Yeast infection can occur in both males and females.
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Can You Get a Yeast Infection From Using a Hot Tub?
Hot tubs undeniably give us great relaxation, but using them may also come with various side effects. One of these is a yeast infection. It is a medical condition characterized by the itching and swelling of the person’s private part.
Men and women are equally susceptible to yeast infection, but this condition is most common for women. It is usually called vaginal yeast infection or vulvovaginal candidiasis. According to the Women’s Integrated Healthcare article, 75% of women have had a yeast infection.
For men, yeast infection can lead to balanitis. Balanitis is the inflammation of the head of the penis.
A fungus called candida albicans naturally lives in the human body in small amounts. This fungus usually lives in the mouth, skin, and intestines. When the amount of the fungus becomes unbalanced, it can cause yeast infections.
The yeast infection usually happens on the person’s private part (the vagina or the penis). However, it may also occur in the mouth, throat, armpits, groin, and under breasts.
According to a study, candida grows faster when the pH level drops below 5. The correct pH level of the hot tub should be between 7.2 and 7.8. If your hot tub is poorly maintained, it can cause a yeast infection.
Apart from the warm temperature of the hot tub, there are also other triggers to the overgrowth of the candida fungus. It has been known that taking antibiotics, eating a sugar-rich diet, taking contraceptives, and drinking too much alcohol can also contribute to the overgrowth of the fungus.
In addition, high-stress levels and a poor immune system can also lead to candida overproduction. Thus, you are more susceptible to yeast infection if you belong to this group and often use a hot tub.
What Are Some Common Causes?
The three main things in a hot tub that would likely cause or trigger a yeast infection are the chemicals, the temperature, and the pH level. These factors usually affect the growth level of the candida albicans fungus already present in the human body.
1. Hot Tub Chemicals (Chlorine and Bromine)
Hot tub chemicals can contribute to acquiring a yeast infection. Chlorine is known to kill bad bacteria. However, it does kill normal or good bacteria as well. In this sense, an infection can occur without good bacteria to fight the yeast.
Poorly treated hot tubs are more prone to the growth of bacteria and fungi that cause infections. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests the correct chlorine level be at 3 ppm. With this chlorine balance, your hot tub can be optimal for preventing infections.
Aside from chlorine, bromine is also known to cause red rash, itchiness, and other skin irritations. The unbalanced level of this chemical can also contribute in some way.
2. Temperature Level
The warm temperature of your hot tub can also be considered the main reason you get a yeast infection. Our body, particularly our skin, mouth, and intestine, already has the candida albicans fungus that causes yeast infection.
When the fungus recognizes that the condition is perfect for breeding, it can reproduce uncontrollably. Most commonly, people with low immune systems who use a hot tub would suffer from the infection. This condition can happen most especially after a prolonged hot tub session.
A study reveals that temperature and pH greatly contribute to the reproduction of candida albicans fungus. With this fact, your hot tubs can inevitably contribute to the growth of a yeast infection.
According to the research, the candida albicans fungus grows rapidly under 33 degrees Celsius. The growth and reproduction tend to slow as the temperature rises to 40 degrees Celsius and higher.
With this date, it is ideal that you set the temperature of your hot tub to the standard 40 degrees Celsius or higher to prevent yeast infection. However, not everyone can withstand high temperatures. If you prefer a lower temperature when using a hot tub, limit your soaking time to 30 minutes or less.
3. pH Level
The pH level can become imbalanced if your hot tub is poorly maintained. When the pH level of your hot tub is off-balanced, it can trigger health issues.
A pH level below 7.2 is known to cause itchiness and eye burn. Low pH level also affects the effectiveness of your sanitizer. So, keeping it within the proper level is critical.
If the pH drops below 5, the fungus will likely reproduce more. This information is reported in the study investigating how the candida albicans fungus reacts to pH.
What Can You Do To Make Your Hot Tub Safe From a Yeast Infection?
You can do a few things to keep your hot tub safe from yeast infection. These include performing regular maintenance, proper chlorine levels, proper pH levels, and using the optimal temperature.
Contrary to the common belief, yeast infection is less likely to spread through hot tub water. So, when an infected person uses the hot tub before yourself, you would likely not acquire the disease. It is almost not transmittable through the hot tub water.
However, if you have a yeast infection, staying out of your hot tub is best. Doing this does not contribute so much to keeping your hot tube safe from a yeast infection but is a good measure to prevent the infection from worsening.
Keep Your Hot Tub Healthy
Nothing beats hygiene. Keeping your hot tub clean and balanced will help avoid infections and irritations. Doing a regular test of the hot tub characteristics is critical.
Measure your hot tub’s alkalinity and pH levels from time to time. Schedule a regular maintenance check to ensure your hot tub is healthy.
Put Your Hot Tub at the Correct Chlorine Level
Chlorine treatment is a must for your hot tub to become healthy. Chlorine is a perfect sanitizing agent for your hot tub. It kills the common bad bacteria and germs in the water. However, it would be best if you controlled the chlorine in your hot tub.
Introducing too much chlorine may not help keep your hot tub healthy. You must remember that chlorine also kills good bacteria. Experts suggest keeping the chlorine level at 3 ppm.
Hot tub test strips can help you confirm the chlorine level. It would also provide you with pH level, alkalinity, and calcium level readings.
Maintain the Proper pH Level of Your Hot Tub
I highly suggest that you measure the pH level of your hot tub every week. Keep it within the correct level between 7.2 and 7.8. A lower pH level is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, fungi, and other contaminants.
A low pH level also indicates that your hot tub water is acidic. Of course, many things can happen when you soak in acidic water. Aside from the possible infections, you can also get irritated skin and eyes.
A high pH level is equally dangerous as a low pH level. It can mean that your hot tub is poorly sanitized. Therefore, keeping pH at the right level is the key to keeping your hot tub healthy and safe from yeast infection.
Set the Hot Tub Temperature Higher
As studies reveal that the candida albicans fungus grows heavily at 33 degrees Celsius and lower, you can combat the growth by setting your hot tub level to the standard temperature of 40 degrees Celsius. If you cannot bear the 40 degrees Celsius, set the temperature to at least 38 degrees Celsius to slow down the growth of the fungus.
If you can bear a temperature higher than the standard, the better. Some people can tolerate extreme temperatures. However, if you cannot, the best thing to do is to minimize the time you spend soaking in your hot tub. A good 30 minutes hot tub session can be enough.
Conclusion
Although there is no solid evidence that the hot tub causes yeast infection, it is undeniable that some factors in your hot tub can trigger it. These are the warm temperature, the pH level, and the level of sanitization. Poorly maintained or unhealthy hot tubs are more likely to cause a yeast infection.
The candida albicans fungus causes the yeast infection to grow and multiply faster in a warm and damp environment. Additionally, the fungus also reproduces quickly at a pH level below 5. Therefore, your hot tub causes or triggers a yeast infection in one way or another.
