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Can Hot Tubs Trigger Asthma

Why Is It In My Hot Tub

What Chemicals Do I Need for My Hot Tub?

There are a variety of factors that cause Chloramine to gas off and hover over the waterline. Chloramine gases can form when there are contaminants added to the water, this happens when people get in the hot tub and any skin and hair products, lotion, sunscreen, sweat, etc get released into the water.

Chloramine gases can also form because of interaction with other compounds found in traditional sanitation methods, such as using chlorine, bromine, and chlorine-free shock tablets. High concentrations of traditional chlorine-based sanitation methods along with higher water temperatures and jetted water movement/bubbles also cause the emission of Chloramine gases.

Asthma Uk Community Forum

Hi Everyone

I have asthma and am currently well controlled on Seretide and Montelukast. I’ve not had any Prednisolone this year

I like to swim 2-3 times per week this is fine but I’ve noticed recently then when I get in the jacuzzi after my swim I suddently start to cough and wheeze. Last time I went in the jacuzzi I had an asthma attack, despite using my Salbutamol just before the swim.

Any one else experience this? How do you manage it?

Thanks

No I have never had this problem, worth asking whether they have recently changed cleaning products in the Jacuzzi area?

I find that in some places the chemicals that are used in the jacuzzi are much stronger than those used in the pool , and find that I get wheezy in jacuzzis much more frequently than I do in swimming pools. I tend to be ok in friends’ hot tubs, so I suspect they are able to use fewer chemicals because they use their tubs for private use only. My relatives who have pools don’t use chlorine, but use chemicals that are less irritating to the airways, which makes a big difference for me…

Perhaps you could ask your sports club whether they have to use much more chlorine in the jacuzzi than in the pool, or whether they use different chemicals. They might be amenable to using less irritating chemicals, or could perhaps let you know if there are times of day or certain days of the week when the water hasn’t just been treated, so might be less upsetting to your airways.

Bryony

Bromine Was The Winner

For the following week, they didnt complain of itchiness any more than normal. There were no bright, red spots of eczema. Since the first time in the hot tub, theyve been in a few more times. They havent complained about their skin itching and I havent seen flare-ups. Ive been careful about letting them in the hot tub for only about 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Weve been successful with this combination and Im happy that they are enjoying the hot tub as much as I am.

This is what worked for our family. It’s a good idea to check with your family’s doctors and hot tub professionals for recommendations that best suits your family’s needs.

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Swimming Benefits For Asthmatic Individuals

For those who have asthma, there are known benefits to exercising in a pool. For children who have asthma, any parent may be cautious about letting their child be involved with swimming. Theres no evidence or studies that show asthma symptoms increase from recreational swimming. Instead, swimming can make the asthmatic child feel better, and reduce frequency and severity of asthma attacks.

The warm and humid atmosphere of a pool can help many asthmatics experience comfortable breathing. Exercise is always good as it improves overall health, mood and helps you sleep better. Exercise is just as vital for those who suffer from asthma, if not more so. Exercise strengthens the respiratory and circulatory systems.

Some asthmatics have exercise-induced asthma, which makes it harder to find an exercise that is not overly strenuous. Swimming is considered one of the best forms of exercise by many doctors . Because the air around the pool is moist and warm, it is easy to breathe. Swimming or water exercise is an activity that is not likely to trigger asthma, as compared to other land based exercise.

However, be on the lookout for red flags. If the condition of the water is poor, very low pH levels or very high chloramine levels could trigger asthmatic symptoms. If strong smells persist for three minutes or more, notify management and leave the pool area. Always keep an inhaler nearby just in case its needed.

Get your Swim On, America!

Dr. Pool

The Dangers Of Chloramine

Can Hot Tubs Cause Asthma Symptoms?

Not only does Chloramine smell bad, it also can cause harmful repertory side effects. I can make your eyes burn, make your skin itch, give you rashes, make you cough and sneeze and feel otherwise terrible. Some people, including my daughter, actually have allergies to these chemicals. Thats why we created iONRx®.

Heres the deal, as the gas hovers above the water line, anyone in the hot tub will be exposed to the gas and will breathe it in. The Chloramine gas contains evaporated chemicals that can be inhaled and cause irritation to the respiratory tract, which causes throat irritation, coughing, and sneezing. Other side effects may include watery eyes and skin irritation.

There you have it, the next time you start feeling a throat irritation, coughing, and sneezing, its because Chloramine gas has been released from any of the above factors.

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Bromine Hot Tub Sanitizer

Bromine was a hot tub sanitizer that I didnt know much about. I had heard from people with eczema or other skin conditions that they had a good experience with a bromine system in their hot tub. I had done my own research as well and found that it is one of the preferred options for people with sensitive skin. The maintenance work required was manageable for me. It was also a budget-friendly option. Another benefit was that it doesnt give off the strong chlorine odor. Bromine gives off its own odor, but we didnt find it offensive.

The Health Risks Of Hot Tubs And Advice On How To Stay Safe While Relaxing

One in 10 UK households boasts an outdoor spa – they are also popular at lodge-style accommodation busy at this time of year

Theres nothing quite like relaxing in warm, swirling water while enjoying a glass of your favourite tipple.

But did you know that there are dangers that might turn a blissful dip into a personal health crisis?

Britain is now ranked within the top ten of the world hot tub market, with one in 10 households in Britain boasting an outdoor spa.

Hot tubs can cost between £2,000 and £20,000 to buy – but hiring them is increasing in popularity too.

Paul Abbott is a senior water treatment consultant at Hydrochem UK, based in Hartlepool, and hes warning people to take care and be aware of the health risks associated with home hot tubs.

He said: Most of the time people are buying or hiring a hot tub without realising the dangers that are associated with them.

The bubbling water which is kept at a high temperature puts high demand on the hot tubs filtration system which can lead to a rise in bacterial growth.

Inadequate water quality management can put hot tub users at risk of illness, including Legionnaires disease which can be potentially fatal.

But there are ways to reduce the risk.

He said: Before using a home hot tub it is vital that people familiarise themselves with the safety instructions in terms of treating the water and using the correct type and amount of chemicals.

Read More

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The Effects Of Bathing On Symptoms Of Asthma

Total

Out of 215 patients , 60 patients had the experience of deterioration of symptoms by daily bathing, and 38 had the experience of improvement . The patients in deterioration group and improvement group experienced their episodes repeatedly and were mutually exclusive. Steps 1 and 2 were combined into Steps 1 + 2, since the number of step 1 is very small. No statistical difference was found between the severity of asthma and effects of bathing. .

Lung Ailment Surfacing In Hot Tub Soakers

Cockroaches: A Common Allergen & Asthma Trigger

There may be an unseen danger rising in the soothing bubbles of indoor hot tubs. There are now 4.5 million hot tubs in American homes, according to the National Spa & Pool Institute but the increasing popularity may also increase the incidence of “hot-tub lung,” a condition caused by indoor hot tubs releasing an aerosol of bacteria right into the lungs of hot tub soakers, a recent Mayo Clinic study warned.

“Hot tub lung is inflammation in the lung from something inhaled,” said Dr. Cecile Rose, a pulmonary specialist at the National Jewish Medical & Research Center in Denver. “In this case, that something is a bug called mycobacterium avium.”

Exposure to mycobacterium avium can either give indoor hot tub soakers a serious infection or the persistent condition called hypersensitivity pneumonitis, also known as hot-tub lung.

Symptoms of hot-tub lung include shortness of breath, fatigue, fever or chills, a wet cough and tightness in the chest. Though she has not heard of any deaths associated with the illness, it has the potential to be fatal, Rose said.

The problem does not seem to occur in outdoor hot tubs, which are well-ventilated, Rose said.

Researchers found that bacteria can multiply if chlorine levels drop and pH rises for as little as 24 hours.

Too Sick for Sports

Several years ago, the Gamble family of Lafayette, Colo., found themselves unable to shake flu-like symptoms and fatigue. Kathy Gamble said symptoms began to appear about a year after they got a hot tub.

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Copd Trigger: Cigarette Smoke

The dangers of smoking have been vastly researched and documented. The risks to a person with COPD are numerous.

Cigarette smoke contains tar and many toxic chemicals that irritate the lungs. Smoking also damages the cilia, the tiny hairs responsible for cleaning the airways.

These factors can increase the risk of infection and a flare-up of symptoms.

Asthma Symptoms Triggers And Risk Factors

What is Asthma? Asthma is the narrowing and swelling of airways. The airways produce extra mucus, and this can make it harder to breathe, can cause coughing or wheezing and can trigger shortness of breath. For everybody, there is a different level of problems with asthma. For some it is so bad that it can interfere with daily routines, while for others it is a minor issue.

While it cannot be cured, symptoms of Asthma certainly can be controlled. These symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, trouble sleeping caused by coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath, and wheezing or coughing attacks. While it is not clear why some people are more prone to getting asthma, it is believed to be a mix of environmental and genetic factors.

Asthma triggers include airborne allergens such as pollen, mold and dust mites, allergic reactions to food, respiratory infections like a cold, physical activity, cold air, stress, and gastroesophageal reflux disease just to name a few. There are also factors that are believed to increase the chances of developing asthma.Risk factors include being overweight, smoking or exposure to second hand smoke, any blood relative that has asthma, and exposure to occupational triggers like chemicals used in farming and manufacturing.

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What Are The Health Effects Associated With Chloramines

Breathing in or coming into contact with chloramines at the places we swim can lead to negative health effects in swimmers and others in the swimming area, including:

  • Everyone
  • Respiratory symptoms such as nasal irritation, coughing, and wheezing. Asthma attacks can be triggered in people who have asthma.
  • Swimmers
  • Red Eyes Or Irritated Nose Or Throat After Swimming Blame The Pee Poop And Sweat

    What Can Cause Respiratory Issues In The Hot Tub?

    To help protect swimmers health, chlorine is commonly added to the water to prevent the spread of germs and outbreaks. But chlorine can also combine with what comes out of or washes off of swimmers bodies, such as, pee, poop, sweat, dirt, skin cells, and personal care products, such as deodorant and makeup). This causes two problems:

    • It decreases the amount of chlorine available to kill germs.
    • It creates chemical irritants called chloramines .

    Healthy pools and other places where we swim in chlorinated water dont have a strong chemical smell. If you smell chlorine at the place you swim, you are probably smelling chloramines. Chloramines in the water can turn into gas in the surrounding air. This is particularly a problem in indoor pools, which often arent as well-ventilated as outdoor pools. The chloramines that form in the chlorinated water we swim in are different from the chloramine that is sometimes used to treat drinking water.

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    Salt Water Hot Tub Sanitizer

    When we moved into our first house, we immediately converted our pool into a salt water pool. It was expensive to convert our pool system to a salt water system, but it was worth it. There was a noticeable difference in Catherines skin after using this pool compared to a chlorinated pool. A saltwater conversion wouldve been my preferred choice for the hot tub, but the cost of the conversion was beyond my budget. It should be noted that saltwater systems still produce some chlorine as a sanitizer, but not to the same level as a chlorinated pool.

    How To Get Relief

    If you find you arent comfortably breathing while swimming indoors, get out of the pool and leave the pool area. In many cases, simply getting out of the pool will offer relief.

    If an overwhelming smell of chlorine around an indoor pool is causing symptoms or discomfort, consider finding another pool. You may also want to consider a saltwater pool or one with another type of disinfectant, such as bromine.

    Most importantly, when youre in an indoor pool, make sure the area is well-ventilated, says Dr. Talierico. I also recommend that you shower afterward to get the pool water off your body.

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    Asthma And Hot Tubs: Is There A Connection

    Ever since we started our adventure of treating water through the use of the free copper ion, one question is always brought up to us, Can my hot tub or swimming pool cause asthma?

    This is an interesting question and although I am certainly not a medical doctor, it has challenged me to go and get some answers for myself and our clients. When we first started our swimming pool service company in SW Florida in 2008, our first clients were always medical professionals, which I found interesting.

    If you look at the video on our about us page, the woman speaking in the video was our very first client, who is a nurse and happens to be married toyou guessed ita doctor. Out of our first fifty clients, I would say almost half of them were in the medical field. They always discussed with us how dangerous too much chlorine was and how what we were doing was a good thing health-wise. I asked them what their thoughts were on how the chlorine gases affected health and they always brought up asthma.

    Perhaps you have heard the term chloramine or THM before?

    These are developed when chlorine reacts with bodily proteins, such as water-borne bacteria and other living organisms. When this reaction occurs, it produces gases called chloramines and/or THM that sit just above the water line of pools and spas.

    Why Is It Important To Know All My Triggers

    HOT TUB Pump Not Working? 6 Common Problems & Fixes | Swim University
    • 1. Most people with allergies are allergic to more than one allergen.
    • 2. Allergies add up.
    • 3. When allergen levels pass the threshold, asthma symptoms appear.

    Chances are youâre allergic to more than one thing. Allergens add up. Multiple allergens can play a significant role in causing respiratory symptoms. You may be aware of one obvious trigger such as grass pollen for your allergy or asthma, but unaware of allergies to mold, pet dander and cockroaches. Greater exposure to the allergic triggers is more likely to make symptoms worse.

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    Managing Outdoor Air Pollution

    People with COPD can protect themselves from outdoor pollutants much like they do in cold air. A painters mask is recommended if you have to be outside.

    If you do have to be outside, limit your exercise or physical activity. The best way to reduce the risk of a flare-up is to remain indoors, especially when smog levels are particularly high.

    Some limited data suggests that high levels of ozone in the air may lead to COPD flare-ups.

    Generally, ozone levels are highest between May and September, and tend to be higher in the afternoon than in the morning.

    How The Body Is Affected

    Chlorine is especially damaging for individuals with sensitive skin or eyes and can cause problems with people who have asthma or other respiratory conditions. Bromine is an excellent alternative for individuals with chlorine sensitivities because its gentler on the skin.

    Although the chemical smell from bromine isnt as harsh, it lingers longer on your skin than chlorines odor.

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    Relationship Between The Effects On Asthma By Bathing And The History Of Pbc

    Out of 215 patients, 152 had a history of administration of nebulized bronchodilators. Out of these 152 patients, 45 experienced deterioration of symptoms by bathing and 13 experienced PBC. PBC was seen in 9 patients of the deterioration group, in 2 patients of the improvement group, and in 2 patients of the no change group. The severity of these 13 patients belonged to steps 3 to 5, and mostly occurred in female patients . PBC occurred more frequently in the deterioration group compared to the no change group . Out of the 9 patients who experienced PBC in the deterioration group, the triggering factor for deterioration by bathing was vapor inhalation in 8 patients . However, 2 patients whose asthmatic symptoms improved by vapor inhalation during bathing also experienced PBC.

    The effects on asthma by bathing and the history of paradoxical bronchoconstriction.

    In 45 patients of the deterioration group, vapor inhalation was the causative factor in 25 patients, and was significantly correlated with PBC . Other factors, such as hydrostatic pressure, change of air temperature, and hyperthermia, were not correlated with PBC . Though the frequency of PBC in the 45 patients in the deterioration group did not show a statistical significance compared to that of the improvement group , in the subgroup of 25 patients whose causative factor for BIA was vapor inhalation, the frequency of PBC was significantly higher than that of the improvement group .

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