How To Get Rid of Hot Tub Rash Naturally

Willard Sheppy Dipl. OM, LAc, BS
Willard Sheppy is a licensed acupuncturist (LAc) and Founder of Valley Health Clinic specializing in using Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat acute injuries and chronic conditions, and to improve sports performance and rehabilitation.
Table of Contents
What is hot tub folliculitis?
Why is hot tub rash so frustrating?
What Is Pseudomonas aeruginosa?
- Gram-negative means it has a thin peptidoglycan layer plus an outer membrane containing lipopolysaccharide, which contributes to inflammation and also limits antibiotic entry.
- Flagellated means it is motile, which helps it reach and colonize surfaces. “Obligate aerobe” means it prefers oxygen-rich environments, which fits its frequent presence in water systems, moist skin sites, the external ear canal, wounds, and medical equipment.
- It is found in soil, plants, and especially humid or aquatic environments.
- It produces the pigments pyocyanin and pyoverdine, which are clinically relevant because they contribute to the blue-green appearance sometimes seen in cultures or infected tissue and help with oxidative injury and iron acquisition.
- Quorum sensing is the cell-to-cell signaling system that coordinates group behavior, including biofilm formation and toxin expression, so in practice
- Low outer-membrane permeability reduces drug entry, efflux pumps actively export antibiotics, Biofilms further increase treatment failure by creating a diffusion barrier and a protected metabolic state in which antibiotics work less effectively.
Natural treatments for Hot Tub Rash
1. Wash off as soon as possible
Do not wait until bedtime if you have just been in a spa or pool all afternoon. Showering promptly and using soap are among the clearest prevention steps the CDC recommends.
2. Get out of the wet swimsuit
Hot tub rash is often worse where the swimsuit holds water against the skin. That is another reason I am big on changing quickly after getting out.
3. Avoid over-stripping the skin
This is where I think people make mistakes. They try to “scrub away” the problem with harsh cleansers, long hot showers, or aggressive exfoliation. That can leave the skin barrier more irritated, not less. A gentler rinse-off cleanser makes more sense for already reactive skin. Emily Skin Soother Herbal Ice is a mild daily-use bar for red, inflamed, reactive skin.
Why I like Emily Skin Soother Herbal Ice
Herbal Ice Soap
Emily Skin Soother Herbal Ice is a mild bar soap formulated to address the vulnerabilities that lead to folliculitis. It contains activated charcoal, which draws out impurities and bacteria, paired with traditional herbal compounds known for their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
My routine to help prevent hot tub rash
When to see a doctor
FAQ's
How soon after being in water should I wash my skin?
Can I use Emily Skin Soother Herbal Ice every day?
Do I need anything else to prevent hot tub rash?
What if I already have hot tub rash?
Is this soap safe for sensitive skin?
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, May 30). Preventing hot tub rash.
https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-swimming/prevention/preventing-hot-tub-rash.html (CDC).
Cleveland Clinic. (2022, June 28). Hot tub folliculitis: Rash, symptoms, causes & treatment.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23358-hot-tub-folliculitis (Cleveland Clinic)
Hartmann, D., Ibaceta Ayala, J., & Morgado-Carrasco, D. (2026). Cutaneous infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment. Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas, 117(3), 104590.
MedlinePlus. (2024, October 14). Hot tub folliculitis. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001460.htm (MedlinePlus)
Valley Health Clinic. (n.d.). Herbal Ice skin soothing mild bar soap. Retrieved March 30, 2026, from
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