Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: kokanee001 on October 20, 2007, 10:43:27 pm

Title: Help..........itchy
Post by: kokanee001 on October 20, 2007, 10:43:27 pm
Help.............itchy. I've had my tub for awhile now and was enjoying it immensely. However. suddenly I have developed an itchy rash. I've always used bromine, and no problem, but can a person develop an allergic reaction to it?  
Hate to switch to chlorine as I have heard that sanitizing w/bromine is easier. Besides, whenever I used to swim in the municipal pool, which used chlorine, I was always itchy after the swim. At least with my spa, the bromine has been fine until now.

Any help or advice would be appreciated..........
Title: Re: Help..........itchy
Post by: D.P. Roberts on October 20, 2007, 10:54:49 pm
Yes, some people are allergic to bromine. That's the big tradeoff - Bromine is easier to use, but you might get a reaction to it. And the "itchiness" of a swimming pool is not actually the useful "free" chlorine, but the chloramines that build up over time. If you change your hot tub water regularly you probably won't notice much of a chlorine smell.
Title: Re: Help..........itchy
Post by: hottubdan on October 20, 2007, 11:06:24 pm
1)  How old is the water?
2)  What is the pH?

Usually what people think are reactions to chlorine or bromine are reactions to other things. :P
Title: Re: Help..........itchy
Post by: kokanee001 on October 20, 2007, 11:14:05 pm
Thx for the replies.

The water will be 4 mos at end of Oct. Not sure about the ph.......might be a tad low
Title: Re: Help..........itchy
Post by: kokanee001 on October 20, 2007, 11:16:17 pm
I have used my tub every day for past almost 4 mos. If I was allergic to the bromine. would it have shown up sooner?
Title: Re: Help..........itchy
Post by: Vinny on October 21, 2007, 09:20:24 am
Dump, refill and keep an eye on the PH. Then see how it goes.
Title: Re: Help..........itchy
Post by: hottubdan on October 21, 2007, 11:02:21 am
Quote
Dump, refill and keep an eye on the PH. Then see how it goes.
Agreed.  When water is 2-4 months old or older, dumping is always the easiest and usually the best solution to issues.
Title: Re: Help..........itchy
Post by: kokanee001 on October 21, 2007, 02:58:19 pm
Okay, I'll go with what you recommend. I'll dump the water today, refill, retreat and REALLY watch the ph more carefully. But I think I'll avoid the water for a few days till my rash is more gone.