Penis Health in the Hot Tub: 6 Tips for Safe Use

A hot tub can be a great place to relax and unwind. After a bracing workout at the gym, spending time in the hot tub can feel great on sore muscles. During the summer, spending time in an outdoor hot tub with a refreshing cool drink at hand can be the perfect way to end a barbecue. But are there any potential penis health issues that can arise when using a hot tub? In some cases, yes, and these tips can help a man use a hot tub with fewer penis health concerns.

Tips

- Watch the jets. When using a private hot tub, it’s not uncommon for a man to slip out of a swimsuit and enjoy the experience in the buff. If he’s alone and feeling frisky, he may decide to see just what effect those pulsating jets have on his penis. Doing so does pose a potential penis health risk, although if he is careful and explores this option in moderation, the risk is lessened. It’s key to keep a little distance between the jets and the penis and to not spend too much time letting the water pound the penis. Too much time spent in this way could cause some tiny tearing of penile tissue. And under no circumstances should a man attempt to insert his penis into the jet opening, even if it is currently turned off.

- Be sure the water is clean. Hot tubs come with specific instructions on how they should be maintained, and those instructions should be followed scrupulously. Bacteria love the combination of heat and water, so making sure appropriate amounts of chlorine are used to keep bacteria at bay. (Avoid too much chlorine, as this can damage the skin on the penis and elsewhere.)

- Watch the heat. The temperature also shouldn’t be too high, as excess heat is bad for delicate penis skin and can dry it out. In addition, spending too much time in a hot tub can in some cases affect sperm production - although in most cases, this is a temporary issuer rather than a lingering penis health concern.

- Stay hydrated. Though not specifically a penis health concern, anyone using a hot tub should be sure to stay hydrated. That means keeping fresh water close at hand and taking a few sips regularly.

- Approach sex with caution. Many couples enjoy getting it on in their private hot tub. Doing so does require extra caution, however, not least because hot tubs can be slippery. Finding the right position can take practice, and fitting on a condom can be challenging. (Some people believe that the chlorine in the hot tub will kill any sperm, but sperm that is inside a woman’s body may not be affected.) Also, be aware that if the hot tub has started drying out the penis skin prior to initiation of sex, some rawness and discomfort may result.

- Shower. It’s a good idea to take a shower after spending time in a hot tub in order to rinse off excess chlorine which may otherwise damage sensitive penis skin.

Maintaining penis health when using a hot tub is easier when a man already includes a quality penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) as part of his daily penis hygiene regimen. When dealing with a hot tub, caring for the penis skin must be considered. Therefore, choose a crème that has a combination of highly effective moisturizing agents, such as shea butter and vitamin E, to help rehydrate worn penis skin. The crème should also include pantothenic acid (commonly called vitamin B5), which is required for cell metabolism and the maintenance of healthy tissue.

Penis Health 101: Is Hot Tub Play Really Safe?

Hot tubs offer a variety of great reasons to indulge. Not only do they make a great sensual play space for those who are so inclined, they also serve the very practical purpose of soothing sore muscles and helping a guy relax in a way that he just can’t find anywhere else. The benefits are obvious. But are there equal benefits for penis health?

Hot tubs have gotten a bad reputation over the years, to the point where sometimes men are encouraged to stay away from the spa and find something else to enjoy when it’s time to relax. So it’s important that a man understands the questions surrounding the hot tub and makes up his own mind as to whether the soak is safe. Here are some facts on hot tubs that can shed light on penis health.

1) The water can get really hot. Though this is great for muscles that ache, it’s not necessarily the best for delicate penis skin, especially if a guy indulges in the hot tub on a regular basis. Hot water leaches away the essential oils in the skin, which are necessary to help keep the skin hydrated, smooth and supple. As these oils vanish, the skin can take on a dry, ashy appearance, as well as begin itching something fierce.

2) The jets are powerful. The jets in a hot tub are great for massaging the sore muscles and helping a guy relax, but he should take care to keep his penis away from the most powerful jets of water. Though some guys might be tempted to use the jets as a way to pleasure themselves, they should keep in mind that the very rough "handling" they get from those jets can be enough to damage the penis skin.

3) Hot tubs need chemical treatments on a regular basis. Though this is great for keeping the water fresh and clean, it’s not great for a guy’s skin, especially the most delicate areas. In fact, a particular type of rash can result from chemicals being forced into the hair follicles with the constant motion of the water. Besides that, the chemicals must be perfectly balanced or they could lead to soreness, redness, chafing and other problems.

4) Hot tub water is rarely changed. Why are all those chemicals necessary? Because the water in a hot tub is usually changed only once or twice per year. This might be fine if it’s a man’s personal tub and he’s paying close attention to the chemical balance, but it’s one very good reason why a guy might want to skip the public hot tubs.

5) Some old hot tubs have exposed moving parts. For some hot tubs, the jets do have moving parts that can be touched by someone using the tub. And from time to time, an adventurous guy might come into contact with those parts, perhaps even with his penis. And that’s where the trouble starts. There have been reports of men getting their delicate equipment trapped among the jets and other areas of their hot tub, leading to pain, injury and of course, a quite embarrassing extraction.

So how does a man enjoy a hot tub and still maintain good penis health? He should take care with the jets, make sure the water is not too hot and make a point of using his own personal tub - where he can control the chemicals and water cleanliness - rather than using a public tub. And every time he gets out of the hot tub, he should rinse off in the shower and then apply a top-notch penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) . A nutrient crème that contains a wealth of healthy vitamins can help replenish the skin’s natural balance. A crème with Shea butter and vitamin E for hydration is especially welcome to prevent dryness.

Penis Rash from the Hot Tub

Nothing feels quite so good after a physical workout - or even just after a hard day at the office - than sinking into a nice hot tub and feeling those jet sprays pulsing against the skin. Whether it’s a hot tub in the privacy of his backyard or bathroom or a communal hot tub at a gym or spa, the feeling of relaxation and pleasure can’t be beat. But, while hot tubs are definitely enjoyable, sometimes a guy leaves a hot tub with his penis health impacted - even if he’s not aware of it right away. For example, there are times when a penis rash is directly related to having spent time soaking in the spa tub.

Popular

According to one 2015 study, more than five and a half million American homes had a hot tub. Perhaps not surprisingly, they are most commonly found in states where the weather tends to be warm. Texas homeowners owned almost 500,000, people in Florida accounted for more than 300,000 and the state of California led them all with almost 1,200,000.

Of course, there also are "public" hot tubs, which are often found at places like gyms or spa resorts. Some of these can be quite large and accommodate an impressive amount of people.

Privately owned hot tubs are often associated with sexual activity. When alone, many couples enjoy using the tubs naked, and the pulsating jets of water can easily lead to arousal and sexual play. (The same can be true of public tubs, but acting on that arousal in a public situation can often lead to legal trouble.)

Hot tub rash

Whether naked or not, people need to know that the hot tub they are entering is properly cleaned. Heat and water can be a breeding ground for bacteria, and heat can also deplete the skin of the natural oils it requires to stay hydrated (even when the source of that heat is water). With the skin dry and unprotected, the bacteria are more likely to gain ground.

One penis rash (which can also be found elsewhere on the body) that can develop in a hot tub that is not properly clean is called hot tub rash (aka pseudomonas folliculitis). This is an infection of hair follicles; although it is most commonly caught from an unclean hot tub, it can also occur from an unclean swimming pool, using a loofah sponge that contains the bacteria or wearing a diving suit or swim clothes that are infected.

The penis rash develops near hair follicles and is small in size, red or pink in color, and often has pus-filled bumps. In addition to the penis, they may show up almost anywhere else on the body, though rarely on the face. Sometimes the rash is accompanied by a slight fever, tiredness, a headache and a sore throat.

The rash generally appears 1 to 4 days after exposure and usually resolves on its own in 1-2 weeks.

Tub maintenance

To prevent hot tub rash, the tub needs to be regularly and adequately cleaned. The proper amount of chlorine needs to be used to effectively kill harmful bacteria. If a tub has a bad smell or exhibits signs of plant growth, it likely is not receiving proper maintenance.

A penis rash from the hot tub may sometimes require an antibiotic crème from a doctor. The itchiness accompanying it is often alleviated through use of a first rate penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). The ideal crème will contain both a natural hydrator (vitamin E is an excellent choice) and a high-end emollient (soothing Shea butter is desirable). In addition, check that the crème also contains vitamin A. This vitamin has anti-bacterial properties that may help dampen the effects of a hot tub rash.

That Itchy Penis May Come from Time in the Hot Tub

Spending time in the hot tub can be an excellent way to relax and let sore muscles get the heat and jet-provided massaging action they crave. But what if a guy comes out of that hot tub with a regrettably itchy penis? Unfortunately, this can sometimes be the case, and the condition can go even beyond penis health, often creating an itchy rash all over the body.

Hot tub fun
 
Hot tubs have become a big part of the American social scene over the last few decades. Although hot tubs are often used solely for "family friendly" recreational activity, they also have a reputation for being an especially rewarding place to have sex. The stimulation provided by the pulsating jets of water, combined with the heat, can make sex in the hot tub irresistible to some.

Unfortunately, unless properly and regularly cleaned, a hot tub can also become a breeding ground for bacteria. The hot water is very attractive to bacteria, and unless a proper amount of chlorine is added at appropriate times, bacteria can grow and get all over the skin of people in the tub. And ironically, the rash tends to be more prominent on and around the penis, as wearing a swimsuit traps the bacteria against the skin more directly for a longer period of time. (Hot tubbing in the nude, however, does not totally protect against the rash; it merely means it may be less severe.)

Hot tub folliculitis
 
One of the more common causes of itchy penis (and of a rash in other parts of the body) is something called hot tub folliculitis (often called simply hot tub rash). This is an especially unattractive prickling rash; although it can be contracted from bacteria in any hot tub, it is more common in tubs made of wood.

Hot tub folliculitis usually appears a few hours after using the tub, but there can be a delayed reaction, resulting in its appearance a few days after exposure to the bacteria. This rash tends to develop around hair follicles, as the bacteria nestles in at the root of the follicle and starts infecting the area.

This rash strongly resembles chicken pox in its early days, although as it progresses it comes to resemble a field of pimples. Like chicken pox, hot tub folliculitis is extremely itchy; in some cases, people report it can be painful, often producing a burning or stinging feeling when aggravated.

The good news is that the condition usually resolves itself within a week or two; the bad news is that it is uncomfortable and unattractive while it persists. That itchy penis is not likely to get much pleasure while the rash is present. A rash that lasts beyond two weeks may need antibiotic treatment.

Yeast, too
 
In some cases, a hot tub can also be a breeding ground for yeast. While yeast infections are more common in women than in men, they do occur on the penis - and can produce a mighty itch.
In order to reduce the chance of a hot tub-related itchy penis, men need to be sure that the tub in question has been properly cleaned and disinfected. It also helps to limit the amount of time in the tub; longer exposure increases the risk of infection. Finally, showering after using the tub can help displace bacteria.

An itchy penis, from a hot tub or from other sources, needs to be moisturized. Daily use of a top notch penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) with a combination of moisturizers is required. Look for one with both Shea butter (a high-end emollient) and vitamin E (a natural hydrator) for good results that keep the skin supple and smooth. It’s a plus if the crème also contains alpha lipoic acid, a potent antioxidant that fights oxidative stress, leaving penis skin stronger and less prone to infection.