Hot tubs and spas are a lot of fun but how long is it safe to stay in a hot tub before you adversely impact your health? Hot water can provide many health benefits such as easing muscle tension and reducing joint pain. However, too much time in a hot tub can cause unwanted side effects like dizziness, skin rashes, nausea and dehydration.
Most hot tubs are designed to heat to 40°C (104°F) which can place added strain on you bodily functions. Hot tubs are not recommended for young children or the elderly. Medical authorities recommend to soak in a hot tub for up to 20 or 30 minutes in one session. It’s better to have a few shorter sessions than one long session. If you develop any adverse medical symptoms get out of the hot tub. Drink some water and if the symptoms persist contact a doctor or hospital.
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What happens if you stay in a hot tub for too long?
Medical experts concur that staying in a hot tub for too long has detrimental health risks. Hot water can cause heat-related medical conditions such as dizziness, changes in blood pressure, skin rashes, nausea and dehydration.
If you develop any of the following symptoms get out of the spa and rest. Drink some water and if the symptoms persist contact a doctor or hospital.
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Thirstiness
- Feeling faint
- Confusion
- Blurred Vision
- Nausea
- Tiredness
- Sleepiness
- Stress
- Lack of energy
I recommend drinking water during and after soaking in a hot tub to counteract dehydration which can cause headaches, dizziness and confusion.
How long can you safely stay in a hot tub?
How long is it safe to stay in a hot tub is debatable and depends on the age and health of the individual. It’s best to spend short periods of time in a hot tub resting in between or taking a dip in a swimming pool to cool down.
Limit your time in a hot tub to 20 to 30 minutes maximum at one time. It is better to spend 10 minutes in the tub and get out and cool down for a few minutes before soaking for another 10 minute session. Try to limit yourself to a maximum of 3 x ten minute sessions.
Place a clock near the tub so you can keep track of the time. Another way is to set the timer for the jets to 10 minutes and when the bubbles finish it’s time to get out.
What age is safe for hot tubs?
Persons of any age can use a hot tub. How long is it safe to stay in a hot tub is up to you. If you are in the following groups you need to be careful with your health.
The following persons may be at risk in a hot tub:
- Elderly persons in a weak physical condition.
- Anyone with a compromised immune system, heart condition, high blood pressure or general poor health.
- Persons who smoke or have a lung disease.
- Persons with a cold, fever or influenza.
- Babies and toddlers may find the water quickly heats up their core temperature too high. This overheating is dangerous.
- Children should have their time limited to 5 minutes to prevent overheating.
Are hot tubs safe during pregnancy?
According to the American Pregnancy Association:
“The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (ACOG) states that becoming overheated in a hot tub is not recommended during pregnancy. ACOG also recommends that pregnant women never let their core body temperature rise above 102.2º F. Some studies have shown an increased risk of birth defects in babies of women who had an increased body temperature during the first trimester of pregnancy.”
If you still want to use a hot tub follow these recommendations to reduce your risk:
- Set your hot tub to a low temperature.
- Limit your time in a hot tub to 5 to 10 minutes maximum.
- Check the temperature of the water with a thermometer.
- Get out of the hot tub if you become uncomfortable.
Can you go in a hot tub in the rain?
Yes. This is similar to going swimming in the rain. You are going to get wet so why would you worry about the rain? There is no health concerns about swimming in the rain.
The only possible concern you would have is that your hair will get wet.
While soaking in a hot tub never put your head underwater as it can be dangerous. There are chemicals and the possibility of bacteria entering your nasal cavity causing illness.
All girls with long hair should put up their hair before entering a tub. Girls with long hair need to be careful their hair is not sucked into the inlet plumbing. The suction can drag you underwater and possibly drown you.
Should I use my hot tub in a thunderstorm?
No. Please do not use an outside hot tub when there is lightning and thunder around. The lightning does not have to directly hit the hot tub for a person to suffer an electric shock. There is a very real risk of electric shock from lightning striking nearby and travelling through the ground into the hot tub water. Water is a natural conductor of electricity and lightning will pass through a hot tub and electrocute anyone in the water.
Can sitting in a hot tub help with weight loss?
Hot tubs can help you lose weight by burning calories. While sitting in a hot tub for 15 minutes your body metabolism is increased by the higher than normal temperature. This will cause your body to burn more calories in the tub than sitting in your lounge. The difference will be small but every little bit helps to keep your body from accumulating fat.
Can a hot tub be used with cold water?
Yes, you can use cold water in a hot tub. This is common in the hot summer season to cool off. Turn the temperature to the minimum setting or switch off the water heater completely. You still need to run the pump to circulate water and maintain the water chemistry as usual. I recommend draining and cleaning the tub first then fill with freshwater to have it ready for the summer.
How often should you change the water in your hot tub?
I recommend changing the water in your hot tub every season so 4 times a year. You wouldn’t know it by just looking at the water but spa pools and hot tubs very quickly accumulate dirt in the plumbing. This reduces the operating efficiency and increases the risk of catching a bacterial infection from the water.
Hot tubs and spa pools do not contain much water and need to be drained, cleaned and refilled frequently to avoid the plumbing pipes clogging with dirt, hair, scum and chemicals. The small volume of water quickly becomes saturated with chemicals and total dissolved solids (TDS). The only way to remove the TDS and excess chemicals is to drain, clean and refill the tub. You should change the water in your hot tub every 3 or 4 months.
Please read our post on How to drain and clean a hot tub
What are the health benefits of a hot tub or spa?
The heat and massage from the moving water soothes your whole body by increasing blood circulation to areas of your body that are causing aches, pain, inflammation and restrictive moment. The heat also helps to stimulate you immune system to fight the effects of many other medical conditions.
Hot Tubs and spas have been proven to help relieve the symptoms of:
- inflammation
- muscle tension
- frozen joints & reduce joint pain
- the pain & stiffness of arthritis
- anxiety
- reduce cellulite
- improve blood circulation
- improve skin conditions
Does a hot tub help arthritis?
Yes. The symptoms associated with Arthritis can be reduced by soaking the affected limb in hot water. The Romans discovered that alternating the application of hot and cold water can alleviate symptoms. Roman baths were designed with a hot pool and a cold pool. People would frequently move between the two pools to heat up then cool down their bodies.
Soaking in a hot tub with frequent rest periods out of the tub has the same effect on the body. The heat can increase the blood circulation to areas of your body that are causing aches, pain, inflammation and restrictive moment. The increased blood flow helps to alleviate symptoms of arthritis.
Are hot tubs bad for your heart?
People with existing heart disease, the elderly, the very young or people in poor physical condition should avoid subjecting their bodies to extremes of heat and cold. Soaking in hot water can rapidly change your heart rate and blood pressure to worsen an existing medical condition.
I don’t recommend these people should soak in a hot tub at 40°C (104°F) as it will place undue stress on their bodies.
If you do have a heart-related medical condition consult your medical practitioner for advice on whether to use a hot tub or not.
Are hot tubs full of germs?
A properly sanitized hot tub or spa pool with the right level of chlorine or bromine will be completely safe for everyone to use.
However, when the sanitation level drops bacteria and viruses can survive in the water for many hours or days. The most dangerous bacteria that could be found in hot tubs is Legionella bacteria which causes a type of pneumonia called Legionnaires’ disease. This bacteria is rare in hot tubs and is more common in air conditioning units using dirty water.
The most common medical conditions from hot tubs are skin infections from the chemicals. When you soak in the tub too long you can get a hot tub rash. This is easily remedied by avoiding the hot tub for a period of time.
Should I shower after hot tub?
Always take a quick shower after using a hot tub or spa pool. Some people like to take a cool dip in a swimming pool (if you have one) after the hot tub. It’s even more important to shower afterwards when you have been in a public pool or hot tub. I recommend to take a shower after hot tubbing or swimming to remove any bacteria and chemical residue from your skin.
Conclusion
Relaxing in a spa pool or hot tub is an enjoyable activity with many benefits for your health but the intense heat is not recommended for young children or elderly people with weak physical conditions. It’s common sense to ensure that you don’t overheat your body in a hot tub as it may lead to serious health conditions. How long is it safe to stay in a hot tub is debatable. Just soak for 5 minutes at a time and get out to cool down and rest. You can always go back in the hot tub again for another 5 minutes.