The average adult should not spend more than 30 minutes in a hot tub. A very healthy adult might be able to push to 45 minutes, or even an hour. A hot tub is not like a bath – it stays hot the whole time you're in it. By using one, you're risking more than just wrinkly fingertips.
Staying in a hot tub too long can cause overheating, dehydration, or a drop in blood pressure. This can make you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or even faint. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can also strain your heart and lead to heat exhaustion.
In many cases, you'll get the green light to stay in the spa as long as you're comfortable and feeling well. As a general rule of thumb, most hot tub sessions last between 15 and 45 minutes. If after 45 minutes you want to keep soaking, we recommend stepping out for a bit to give your body a break.
An average adult should spend between 15 and 30 minutes in their hot tub. If the water temperature is 104° F (40° C), the maximum safe time is 15 minutes. If the water temperature is between 95-100° F, you should be able to stay in hot tubs for 30 minutes.
As much as it's tempting to spend hours soaking in your hot tub you could cause your body to overheat. There's also a chance you could become dizzy, lightheaded or feel nauseous. We advise that you limit your soak time between 15-30 minutes to avoid potential heat-related health risks.
The average adult should not spend more than 30 minutes in a hot tub. A very healthy adult might be able to push to 45 minutes, or even an hour. A hot tub is not like a bath – it stays hot the whole time you're in it. By using one, you're risking more than just wrinkly fingertips.
Hot Tub Lung is a specific form of hypersensitivity pneumonitis caused by the lung's inflammatory (swelling) reaction to liquid or solid droplets in the air contaminated by bacteria or other infectious agents. Even though it is caused by infectious agents, Hot Tub Lung is not an infection.
It is okay to hot tub every day if you choose. Even better news, using it daily can benefit your health. Studies on this topic agree that people who use their spa daily have less pain in their muscles and joints, they claim to have more energy, get better, deeper sleep, and some even reported minor weight loss.
Take Showers Instead of Baths
Bacteria grow more quickly in warm and hot water. Our doctors may recommend avoiding hot tubs and taking showers instead of baths. The soap in bubble baths can irritate the urinary tract and should be avoided.
Going into a hot tub on your period: The bottom line
And, of course, it's all down to personal preference, and you might want to wait until your bleeding stops to dive back in. But, if you're eager to use your hot tub all month round, there's certainly no reason you can't.
General Timing for Hot Tub Use
As a rule of thumb, you should only use your hot tub for between 15-45 minutes, and that time will depend on a variety of factors that you'll read more about below. If you've just bought a hot tub, then start out with shorter sessions until you find a duration that works for you.
We also suggest you shower after you use your hot tub to rinse away chemicals that might be left on your skin.
The current world record for the longest time sitting in a hot tub is 306 hours! (We do not recommend beating it. Most agree that hot tub soaking time should last no longer than 30 minutes.)
According to Dermatologist Laurence Meyer on The Scientific American, a soak in the tub hydrates your skin but only if it's a brief soak. Our skin absorbs water but only to a certain point. If you stay in hot water too long the water your skin absorbed will leave your body and you end up with dry skin.
Soaking in hot tubs can increase your risk for dehydration. The hot water is causing your body to use systems that take up more water than usual. Softub accessories include a floating drink holder. In addition, the hot water can mask some of the signs of dehydration, putting you at added risk.
Since the water in a hot tub is higher than your normal internal temperature, staying in a hot tub too long can cause you to overheat and experience symptoms like light-headedness, dizziness, or nausea. These symptoms are your body's way of telling you that it is time to get out of the hot tub and cool down.
The odour is often described as “musty” or “sour.” Cloudy or Discolored Water: Bacteria can cause the water in your hot tub to turn cloudy, murky, or even greenish in colour. If you notice any unusual changes in the appearance of the water, it could indicate bacterial contamination.
Can UTI's be caused by hot tubs or whirlpools? Your "you time" to unwind and relax can get you in trouble if your hot tub or Jacuzzi is unhygienic or dirty. You can easily catch Pseudomonas aeruginosa a bacterium most commonly found in hot tubs or whirlpools whichis the main cause of UTIs and hot tub rash.
Symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, fainting, an inability to concentrate, or blurred vision could also indicate a decrease in blood pressure. If you feel your body sending you any of these signals, it is a sign that you've been in the hot tub too long and it's time to get out.
Similar to sitting in a sauna, hot tubs can help you to detox your body through a deep and invigorating sweat. The water inside most modern hot tubs is heated to around 100°F to 104°F. While spending time inside your spa, your core body temperature will rise, ultimately leading to sweat.
Stay on the safe side
Both saunas and hot baths (or hot tubs) seem to be safe for people with stable heart disease and even mild heart failure. But people with unstable chest pain (angina), poorly controlled high blood pressure, or other serious heart issues should avoid them.
Hot tub folliculitis is an infection of your skin's hair follicles caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a type of bacteria found in many hot tubs and pools. The condition often clears up on its own in one to two weeks without treatment. Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop fever or if symptoms worsen.
Heat. The heat provided by hot tub water can help reduce swelling and the buildup of fluids in the body's tissues which are characteristics of painful inflammation. This can help improve the flexibility and mobility of joints affected by arthritis while decreasing the pain experienced from moving about.
The onset of several lung-based non-tuberculosis Mycobacterium avium complex infections is known as the Lady Windermere syndrome. The condition often occurs in older white females who habitually repress their cough reflex.