An Indiana woman developed a serious bacterial infection after frequently spending time in a hotel's hot tub during a vacation. Taylor Bryant said she nearly lost her leg because of the infection.
Infection Contracted From Hotel Hot Tub
Bryant and her family went on vacation to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee in March, but things took a grim turn when after a few days, the 26-year-old started to feel sick and cramping in her right leg.
Her ankle later swelled and the pain in her calf worsened. Doctors who checked her leg, however, could not find anything and tried for took for potential blood clots.
Tests turned out negative, but the doctors asked her about the activities she had during her vacation. She related that she frequented spending time in the hotel's hot tub.
When doctors learned this, they suggested she may have contracted a condition known as pseudomonas folliculitis, or hot tub rash.
Nearly Loses A Leg
Doctors prescribed antibiotics and aspirin to Bryant, and also advised her to see her family doctor as soon as possible.
When Bryant flew home with her family, she said that her calf had become so severely swollen, she could hardly walk. She also developed a rash and had to use a wheelchair to go to her doctor.
Her doctor referred her to a wound specialist, who in turn contacted an expert in infectious diseases. She was given an oral antibiotic, but this did not seem to improve her condition.
"You're literally thinking at that point that it's possible you're going to lose your leg," Bryant said. "I was a bawling mess in the room. I was like, I could be without a leg at 26."
Bryant eventually had to be admitted to the hospital. Her infection finally began to get better when she was given IV antibiotics for four days.
"Within 24 hours you could already see some of it dying down," Bryant said.
What Is Hot Tub Rash?
The infection occurs when bacteria that clings to the sides of an improperly cleaned tubs get into hair follicles.
"Because hot tubs have warmer water than pools, chlorine or other disinfectants used to kill germs (like Pseudomonas aeruginosa) break down faster. This can increase the risk of hot tub rash infection for swimmers," the CDC said.
Symptoms include itchy skin that may progress to a bumpy red rash and pus-filled blisters around hair follicles.
Abscesses, permanent skin damage, or recurrent or spreading infection may happen if the infection reaches the deeper part of the follicles.
