Blog

Jul 01, 2023

4 Reasons to Think Twice Before Getting Into a Hot Tub

To lessen the likelihood of hot tub rash, make sure to remove your swimsuit, wash it, and take a shower with soap after using a hot tub. Hot tubs have timers for a reason. When the water jets turn

To lessen the likelihood of hot tub rash, make sure to remove your swimsuit, wash it, and take a shower with soap after using a hot tub.

Hot tubs have timers for a reason. When the water jets turn off, you should take a break, too. The timer to turn the jets back on is usually placed so that bathers have to get out of the water to reset it. If you see that the time is up, it's probably a good time to take a break from the warm water. This is especially true for older adults whose ability to regulate their body temperatures is compromised by age.

Since the heat from a hot tub expands blood vessels, causing blood pressure to drop, people who already have low blood pressure can pass out in a hot tub, which can lead to drowning. Drinking alcohol while using a hot tub can also combine with the heat to lower blood pressure and impair judgment.

The CDC recommends that hot tubs be no hotter than 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

Aaron Kassraie writes about issues important to military veterans and their families for AARP. He also serves as a general assignment reporter. Kassraie previously covered U.S. foreign policy as a correspondent for the Kuwait News Agency’s Washington bureau and worked in news gathering for USA Today and Al Jazeera English.

More on health

6 Reasons You Don’t Want a Swimming Pool

5 Things to Know Before Going to the Pool This Summer

10 New Swimsuits Your 50+ Body Will Love

Gain access to celebrity interviews, smart advice, recipes, novels, Pilates, and AARP digital magazines. With content arriving every day, there is always something new and exciting to discover with AARP Members Only Access.

Not a member? Join here