Hot tub rash issue solved?
Just wanted to post this info in the hopes it could help someone else. We had purchased our first hot tub more than a year ago and I was using it almost daily for months with no issues. Out of the blue, I started getting a rash. So I did what anyone would do, check your chemical levels (bleach dichlor, Taylor kit), Ahhsome, drain clean and refill. Install a brand new filter, rebalance, etc and still would get a rash in various spots within a few hours of getting out. Went to the doctor and they said I had dry skin and to try lotion after getting out. They also gave me a prescription for 2% hydrocortisone for the itch. Tried different lotions, a couple of oils, etc, etc and nothing worked. This went on for a long time and I had to cut down my soaks to one every other week. I also noticed that my dry skin itchiness would come and go a little even while on longer hiatus from the hot tub. Another thing I started to notice was that when I would go on business trips, my dry skin would calm down a lot more. After much googling and AI chatting, I decided to order a shower filter off Amazon that has minerals in it. I guess it's similar to the mineral cartridge in the spa. Also while chatting with the AI it mentioned another product called Spapure Simply Soft that has borates which should help moisturize the skin. Figuring I had nothing to lose, I did another Ahhsome purge and added the borates as well and installed the shower filter at the same time.
I know it's still early but I was in the tub twice in one week and have had zero reactions!!
I'm going to slowly start increasing the frequency of soaks in the tub to see how far I can push this, but for now it looks like this is working. I don't know if it's the water filter or the borates or both, but whatever it is, I'll take it!!
If anyone is considering adding this chemical just be aware, if you add it you're committed. It's one dose to last between fills. In other words, if you have a problem with it, you need to do a drain and refill.
Sorry for the long story.
If anyone is interested, I'll post periodic updates and let you know how it's going.