Hot-tub_folliculitis
Hot tub folliculitis
Medical condition
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]